A man dressed as a Roman emperor disrupts a press conference by WA Premier Colin Barnett. Photo: AAP
Camera IconA man dressed as a Roman emperor disrupts a press conference by WA Premier Colin Barnett. Photo: AAP Credit: Supplied/AAPIMAGE

Colin Barnett heckled at home, by Julius Caesar and Mark McGowan

Greig JohnstonEastern Reporter

The lighter side of the election campaign

IT’s been a funny old week for Colin Barnett.

On Saturday, he was threatened with a hay bale being dumped on the driveway of his home.

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About three utilities, belonging to anti-fracking protesters, descended on the house, and Mr Barnett felt this invasion of personal privacy was the last straw.

Where to vote in the WA State Election

“I told them you don’t dare drop that bale in my driveway, and they scampered away with their tails between their legs,” he told the Western Suburbs Weekly.

The protesters did the right thing and … bailed.

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On Thursday, Mr Barnett was heckled by a man dressed as Julius Caesar who yelled: “imposter, arrest him.”

Of course, it didn’t work out that well for Caesar – assassinated by a pack of Roman senators.

Colin, of course, has lasted a bit longer than Caesar did – and he’ll be hoping his own political Ides of March doesn’t get brought forward a few days to the 11th.

Meanwhile, hasn’t it been quiet on the One Nation front this week?

After appearing on the brink of implosion late last week, they seem to have gathered their composure – enough to release a few more policies on their website.

Under one section – titled privatisation – the party confirmed what was already public knowledge, that they are opposed to the sale of Western Power and any other State-owned assets.

“There’s been a lot of bad information going around such as a vote for One Nation is a vote for Liberal – its absolute rubbish,” vented One Nation WA leader Colin Tincknell.

“A primary vote for One Nation is a primary vote for One Nation.”

Thanks for clearing that up Colin.

Wednesday night, of course, saw the great leaders’ debate – pitting Mr Barnett and Mark McGowan head to head in a televised debate chaired by Monika Kos.

“Western Australia has given me everything – my beautiful wife Sarah, our three wonderful children and great opportunities,” trumpeted Mr McGowan in his opening remarks.

Strewth, give yourself a bit of credit Mark.

When asked if he was beholden to unions who helped him overcome a challenge to his leadership from Stephen Smith, Mr McGowan said: “No one controls me. No one controls me.” (yes, he said it twice)

“I will always act in the public interest.

“As a navy officer I learnt you need to be your own man, and I learnt about teamwork and discipline and making sure you make the right decisions.”

Who won? Who knows… but we did like this from Mr McGowan, when Mr Barnett hit out at his lack of international experience:

“I do have the have the experience – I served in the navy, I served with foreign navies,” Mr McGowan said.

“As a minister I did approve the Gorgon project and I did approve FMG.

“I did make sure that we have small bars.”

Thank you Mark. We like small bars.