My Nemesis

Everybody needs a nemesis. This is especially true if you’re supposed to be something of a crusader. Batman had the Joker, He-man had Skeletor and even Maggie Simpson had the baby with the mono-brow. A nemesis gives you focus, somewhere to direct your fury and an obstacle to triumph over. Aspiring to a leadership position that doesn’t yet exist, has made the search for the bane of my existence proportionately difficult – but at last I have found him: the pre-selected member for the Federal Seat of Mitchell, Alex Hawke.

Alex is the former head of the Young Liberals and is being touted as the poster child of the Christian Right faction of the Liberal Party. It’s a mantle he’s obviously comfortable with, quoted in a number of newspaper articles as saying: "Nobody joins the Liberal Party to be left-wing. If you stand for compulsory student unionism, drug-injecting rooms and lowering the [homosexual] age of consent, you can choose the Greens, Labor or the Democrats". Clearly, he’s a charming fellow. Alex was also implicated in the ousting of former NSW opposition leader John Brogden (by Brogden) – following a campaign of press leaks and other friendly fire. Most recently, Mr. Hawke is alleged to have been involved in branch stacking and other graft during his successful overthrow of long time Liberal stalwart Alan Cadman. 70 year old Cadman served in the House of Representatives since 1974.

As you can see, Alex is my polar opposite on a range of issues and accordingly, an ideal nemesis. Alex had frequently pushed an anti-gay agenda; I have a heart. He ambushed an experienced and highly regarded elder statesman for his personal gain; I have courage. Alex is also the protégé of State MP David Clarke (leader of the hard right) and a Hillsong aficionado; I have a brain. The stage then is set and the gauntlet has been thrown down. Unless you’re off to see the Wizard anytime soon Alex, you’ve been unanimously pre-selected to be my arch-enemy.