Liberal Frontbencher - 23 to 25 July

FRIDAY 23/07/10

Morning

Back from overseas holiday. Haven't read newspaper in two weeks. Really didn't want to come home but wife wanted to host MasterChef party on Sunday. Turn on work mobile. 112 missed calls. Look at newspaper. Oh sh*#..

Pour myself drink and call Party Headquarters. Campaign Manager (CM) demands to know where I've been. Says that as Shadow Minister for Future Building and Values, I have responsibility to the party. CM needs me out there selling the message.

Afternoon

On campaign trail. Decide to multi-task and start campaign at Coles to pick up some MasterChef groceries for wife. Find balancing campaign issues list and groceries list real challenge.

Guy in liquor store tells me I have his vote - still angry about alcopops. Girls at deli ask if I will bring back Workchoices? Say that once you've been burnt you stay out of the kitchen. Girls ask what that means? Order some ham.

Chat to guy in bakery. He's worried about price of grain. Says people buy less bread when it's more expensive. Wants to know Liberal policy on bread. Repeat party line: that Labor party has wasted taxpayer money building school halls, which it then burnt down with faulty batts thus placing upward pressure on grain prices. Baker asks how I'll fix it. Tell baker I'll take real action, like stopping the boats. Always good to tick that box!

Baker asks how boats relate to grain. Ask for a loaf of sour dough bread. Phew! Must always combine campaigning and shopping in future.

SATURDAY 24/07/10

Morning

CM calls. Wants me to join Abbott on the campaign trail to keep an eye on him. Ask if I will still be able to host MasterChef party on Sunday night. CM says that unless guests all happen to be journalists in the press gallery, probably not.

Afternoon

Finally get courage to tell wife I won't be attending her MasterChef party. Wife furious, demands to know how Gillard can claim to be the woman's candidate when she's holding the debate on a night this important?

SUNDAY 25/07/10

Morning

Arrive at debate prep in Canberra. Abbott pleased to see me, is hoping my experience in Future Building will help rebut Gillard's 'moving forward' slogan.

Abbott makes joke about Workchoices: says he cremated it just to make sure it wouldn't rise from the dead. Recalling Abbott's catholicism, I suggest maybe Workchoices is "dead through crucifixion, covered by a boulder, but will rise again three years hence." Tony laughs, but Abbott Press Secretary (APS) goes ballistic! Says jokes about 9/11 and Bindi Irwin would be better at this point than jokes about Workchoices.

Evening

Debate was extremely tedious.

Call CM to report. CM says he can't talk right now. Ask CM if he saw debate. CM says he's busy. Hear Matt Preston in background, and then wife! Ask CM if he's at my MasterChef party?!?! CM hangs up.

Going to be long month.

This entry originally published at BigPond News as part of their Federal Election 2010 coverage.