by Jefferson Dufflecoat

The air in Mildura is humid as the Autumn wind starts to whip off of the Murray River and through the Dockside Cafe when I am meeting the former MP for Nicholls showstealer1829. The "Poonda" as he is still affectionally known is his usual bombastic self as he explains his reasoning behind a series of cryptic tweets that had started to show up after a long silence from him on social media.

"I never retired" says showstealer1829 with a hint of bitterness. "I had retirement forced upon me through my medical issues, my work wasn't done. I came so close to regaining the seat, probably would have if the Nationals didn't play their stupid games at the time, but you know, that's politics, Connor did a great job" taking a moment to sip his drink before continuing "But what have we seen since then? The same problems that left Nicholls in the lurch in the first place when I first came here, every party takes the people in this electorate for granted, either because they don't know the issues or they don't care!* It seems like the fire may finally be back in him as he continues. "When do we see these people out in the community besides during the campaign? It just doesn't happen and without that knowledge how can they hope to represent them? Maybe it's time to come back. Maybe just like before, politics in general, not just in general needs a shake up. I want to come back not because I'm looking for glory but because the people deserves who's there for them. Who'll actually stand up in parliament and voice their concerns, no one is doing that and Nicholls isn't alone in it. We need that energy back, we need someone who will fight for people, people who don't look at this as a job but a privilege"

I turn the conversation to the looming by-election and the statements by the Socialist candidate AndyWarholDeservedIt, showstealer looks over the river as if deep in thought for a moment before he speaks again.

"It's good to see someone who's actually out there giving a damn, I don't necessarily agree with the narrow focus they're taking, there's more to Nicholls than just Gippsland but you know it's early days, I'm sure they'll be a worthy candidate and a worthy opponent when the time comes"

Was that an admission that showstealer intends to stand in the upcoming Nicholls By-Election? showstealer just grins.

"Like I said I never retired....seems like the time is right for a comeback. There's still one or two hurdles I have to clear medically but I fully intend to be there when the by-election is announced. Nicholls deserves better. Australia deserves better. We need a shake up. Sometime the original is still the best"