Basil Zempilas: Greens resistance to housing Bill stands in way of helping cities meet affordable home plans

1. A $10 billion fund to build 30,000 social and affordable homes over the next five years — you’d think Adam Bandt and his Green mates would be all over it. But no, apparently not. Instead of supporting the Federal Government’s social and affordable housing future fund, and therefore unlocking the opportunity for all three tiers of government and the private sector to get cracking on inner city housing for nurses, teachers and police, Bandt took his Oliver Twist “more” routine to another level.

2. I was in Canberra this week with the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, whose cities all have skin in the affordable housing game, just in time to see the Greens throw common sense out the window. By making perfect the enemy of good, Bandt is getting in the way of inner-city councils putting underdeveloped land, like the land above car parks or alongside railway corridors, to good use. And the leader of the Greens might want to remember charities, housing groups and the property sector all support the affordable housing Bill, yet the “Bandt-standing” continues.

3. Let me get this right, Clive Palmer is suing Australia for $300 billion in damages — and Christian Porter is his lead lawyer. Borrowing from the characters of the Austin Powers franchise this is part Mini Me, part Dr Evil and part Fook Mi.

4. I feel compelled to speak in defence of the fine men and women who have been downloading the app, putting the helmet on, hiring an orange or blue scooter and doing the right thing as they ride around our CBD. They’re not the ones causing the problems. The paying customers of Perth are almost without exception, following the rules and improving the accessibility of our city. Can the same be said for the people riding their own scooters around the metro area?

5. Even though they’re not even into their teenage years yet, when it comes to hydration drinks, I will be more than happy to see my kids past their Prime.

6. In a week when cats in the city has been a topic of conversation, from today until next Tuesday, Supreme Court Gardens is the place to see the big Cats. As part of the Resources Technology Showcase, WesTrac’s phenomenal large-scale Cat mining and construction machinery will be on display. The sheer size and scale is a site to behold.

7. Out of interest, why is there one rule for the majority and another rule for visiting dignitaries? It seems most unusual that Barrack and Michelle Obama were allowed to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb without the harnesses and safety overalls everybody appears required to wear when they do it.

8. And talk about unlucky, of all the days to be in Sydney to meet the PM, it absolutely buckets down.

9. Twilight AFL grand final? I know we have this conversation around this time every year, but yes, please. It worked in Perth, it’ll work in Melbourne.

10. Final word, Freo by 11 points.