A history lesson from Professor Finlayson

We always enjoy the Wednesday afternoon General Debate in Parliament. It's pure theatre and pure politics, but it gives MP's a chance to let off some steam before proceeding to actually debate legislation.

Hon. Christopher Finlayson opened the debate yesterday becoming Professor Finlayson, and delivering a history lesson; in the history of Labour Party leadership coups. Here is his lesson:

Christopher Finlayson is one of Parliament's better speakers, and this was an most enjoyable lecture; unless of course you were a Labour Party MP! We particularly liked his observation around the 2:50 mark where he described Labour's obsession with undermining its leaders as "some sort of macabre Byzantine dance of killers", then he went on to say "People co-operate to get rid of one leader so that they can turn on the next one.".

Given the events last night in Canberra which of course this speech preceded, Prof. Finlayson also clearly has a prophetic gift. Whether it's Labour or Labor means nothing; the knives are out with a degree of regularity!