May 18th Federal Election

[Pies4shaw]

^ I look forward to Jezza struggling to raise a family while he works as a teacher, getting his law degree when he turns 50, not being able to land any job as a graduate with a decent law firm (despite finishing first in his year - which is, of course, what Mrs Shorten's Supreme Court Prize was for), going to the Bar unsuccessfully for a few years until he turns 60 (but getting almost no briefs) and then saying that he got to do what he wanted.

From where I sit (which is, of course, reasonably close to the middle of the pertinent action), the Bar's obituary of Mrs Shorten reads as the story of a very clever woman whose legal career was thwarted. Sure, she got a law degree (and was the top student in her year, which - if you look at the list on the Monash site - generally guarantees you a job as a judge, QC or partner in a top-tier firm) but no-one actually seems to have given her a job. The Bar thing is a little misleading - people self-select to go there (often because they can't get work as solicitors) and the place is probably about two-thirds filled with people who rarely get work. It is certainly not a sign that Mrs Shorten had a fulfilling career as a lawyer.

Have a read: https://www.vicbar.com.au/news-events/o ... ry-shorten

Of course, why she wanted to retrain as a lawyer at that age is a whole different question but, realistically, that career was never going to happen at that stage of her life.

[watt price tully]

If political discourse in this country is focussed on Bill Shorten's mum then we're more $%$ed than I thought.

Not political discourse as such and not just Shorten's Mum: that's overstating and also missing the point.

The question is "has the Daily Telegraph created a pivotal moment?"; an own goal as it were. If Shorten wins then I'm sure the rabid madness of the Daily Telegraph that is Murdoch press will be noted as a turning point.

The Daily Telegraph going after Shorten just before Mothers Day allowed Shorten and the ALP to focus on:

Women's inequality;
How "older women" are treated by society;
News Limited's fanaticism & the lengths that anti ALP will go; and
Shorten's humanity;

[stui magpie]

^ I look forward to Jezza struggling to raise a family while he works as a teacher, getting his law degree when he turns 50, not being able to land any job as a graduate with a decent law firm (despite finishing first in his year - which is, of course, what Mrs Shorten's Supreme Court Prize was for), going to the Bar unsuccessfully for a few years until he turns 60 (but getting almost no briefs) and then saying that he got to do what he wanted.

From where I sit (which is, of course, reasonably close to the middle of the pertinent action), the Bar's obituary of Mrs Shorten reads as the story of a very clever woman whose legal career was thwarted. Sure, she got a law degree (and was the top student in her year, which - if you look at the list on the Monash site - generally guarantees you a job as a judge, QC or partner in a top-tier firm) but no-one actually seems to have given her a job. The Bar thing is a little misleading - people self-select to go there (often because they can't get work as solicitors) and the place is probably about two-thirds filled with people who rarely get work. It is certainly not a sign that Mrs Shorten had a fulfilling career as a lawyer.

Have a read: https://www.vicbar.com.au/news-events/o ... ry-shorten

Of course, why she wanted to retrain as a lawyer at that age is a whole different question but, realistically, that career was never going to happen at that stage of her life.

I assume it was a personal fulfilment thing, but you're correct about her career prospects.

Most top law firms as I understand it, want the young brightest and best and work em like navvy's for 5-10 years before they can start getting a career and decent coin. a 50 year old with a PhD and decades of experience as a uni lecturer isn't likely to cop that shit and, considering she was likely more highly qualified and smarter than a lot of the senior partners, was on a hiding to nothing.

[Pies4shaw]

^ I wasn't being negative about her decision to retrain - just focussing on her prospects. She may not have known when she started the degree but, typically, the top tier firms try to move people out of the partnership from their mid to late 40s because the hours are too demanding for most people and lots of otherwise strong, healthy people just can't keep at it.

As to the 5-10 years before they can start getting a career and decent coin, you do not describe any legal career opportunities I've noticed. Back then, many reasonably clever ones capable of working in an iron lung were making partner at the top tier firms within 5 to 7 years.

[stui magpie]

5-10, 5 to 7. lets settle on 5

[Pies4shaw]

One doesn’t need to be a partner to be on “decent coin”.

[Wokko]

Everything I know about law firms I learned from Ally McBeal, Boston Legal and Bettter Call Saul but I'm pretty sure that most lawyers are on decent money if they're getting work.

[watt price tully]

Everything I know about law firms I learned from Ally McBeal, Boston Legal and Bettter Call Saul but I'm pretty sure that most lawyers are on decent money if they're getting work.

There's unemployed lawyers about: more supply than demand. That's why it's so competitive now & so important to do well academically; to put yourself at best advantage to get the better choices / offers etc.

[Pies4shaw]

^Of course there are unemployed lawyers about. And most people with law degrees end up doing other things. Merchant banking, management consulting, teaching etc. A number, unfortunately, are even forced to take up poorly paid positions as Attorneys-General and the like. Like sanitation, I suppose - someone has to do the unpleasant work.

[stui magpie]

^

Several also seem to become comedians. There must be some transferable skills there.

On a different note, referring to the political adds, suggested irresponsible drinking games/

"Top end of town" seems to be the Labor mantra. Take a shot of your preferred alcohol everytime you hear or see that phrase, blame bill for the hangover, not me.

I'm also actually waiting for the first slip of the tongue for someone to say "top of the Town" instead, which is a CBD Brothel.

[Morrigu]

On a different note, referring to the political adds, suggested irresponsible drinking games/

"Top end of town" seems to be the Labor mantra. Take a shot of your preferred alcohol everytime you hear or see that phrase, blame bill for the hangover, not me.

It's the Bill Australia can't afford.

[stui magpie]

That's the one.

[regan is true fullback]

Scomo discovers the election didn't quite pan out:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6mJw50OdZ4

[stui magpie]

Scomo discovers the election didn't quite pan out:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6mJw50OdZ4

So is Baldrick Scho Mo or Shorten?

Anyway, different topic, the "Change the rules" mob organised by the unions have been handing out fortune cookies in the late arvo at train stations in the city. They contain Labor slogans.

[Morrigu]

^ blah blah anti Union - you neglected the most important detail - do they taste good?