'Drive' Interviews Ricky Muir.

[GasoLane]

A reasonably decent interview, unlike the heavily edited TV versions.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/r...nr=MTE5NzMxNjU

[Giant Cranium]

Poor effort in the quiz

[Bill M]

Thanks for the link.
Thankful that there is someone to represent the motorist in the senate.
Time will tell as to how effective his tenure will be. I wish him well.

[cheap]

What interview? It is a scripted narrative, tightly controlled with themes lifted straight from the party website - no originality or spontaneity.

We got to see the real Ricky months ago with the now infamous Willesee interview.

If don't believe me, try and fine one door stop interview with Rick on his way into/out off the senate. He seems to be doing his best to avoid talking with the media and people in general.

[Dave R]

Motoring enthusiast senator... yet he doesn't even know what the current model of Commodore is, thinks that the Camry, Commodore and Territory are the top selling cars in the country and doesn't know who won Bathurst last year. What a joke, this clown is on a senator's salary yet couldn't be bothered to do the most basic homework. 99% of forum members would be more knowledgeable than this guy.

[Silver Ghia]

He seems to know his Fords better though.

[xxx000]

I'd suggest 99% of those who voted for him knew nothing about him and merely relied on his party's name to make their choice.
I agree the interview sounds very scripted

[LoudPipes]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

He seems to know his Fords better though.

He knew 3 of the desirable classic Ford models, 2 of them being Yank cars but he didn’t know that 351 was the resurrected iconic badge for the final GT.
I bet most on this forum could have answered that.

[Franco Cozzo]

Well none of you whingers here stepped up to do the job and run as the senator for AMEP.

Too many heroes and not enough capes.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Well none of you whingers here stepped up to do the job and run as the senator for AMEP.

Too many heroes and not enough capes.

You can't be serious. Not all of us want to be senators- but when some clown unexpectedly falls into the job after being marketed as a "motoring enthusiast" out to represent the interests of enthusiasts and the industry as a whole, yet doesn't know basic things about the industry or things that enthusiasts are drawn to (like the biggest motorsport event of the year, Bathurst) palms will meet faces.

As long as our taxes are paying this clown $200k per year, he's going to be a topic of discussion. I particularly enjoyed his reference to the 6 year term and that he's in no rush to do anything.

[LoudPipes]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Well none of you whingers here stepped up to do the job and run as the senator for AMEP.

Too many heroes and not enough capes.

I’m also no Mechanic, Dentist, Doctor or a whole range other things but I do feel I’m entitled to be critical when I encounter one I don’t believe is up to scratch.
That’s a right afforded to me by the fact I live in a democracy.
He's a poor motoring enthusiast's representative in my opinion.

[OLDFORDNUT]

i joined the party through a write up on this forum and thought Great we will finally get a chance to stop some of our rites and liberties being taken away ,Then i watched several intervies with Ricky Muir and was left embarrassed and worried the public are going to see no changes or representation as he's a dimwit.

[Bill M]

Granted that Ricky is not on the shortlist for the Mensa awards but with the increasing challenges that motorists face having a representative who is aligned with those who enjoy vehicles is a welcome change from the usual narrow interest groups that seem to dominate the political scene.
Time will tell.

[BadMax]

Oh the hypocrisy! Is knowing the latest badge on a Falcadore really going to help getting this country back on track?
Spare me the BS!

Adrenaline, before you continue to miss-quote for your own benefit, here is the comment you are referring to in it's full context;

I've got six years, so there is no rush to get in there and make knee-jerk reactions but to get in there and think about things really sensibly, consult the experts and develop policies around that.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by BadMax

Oh the hypocrisy! Is knowing the latest badge on a Falcadore really going to help getting this country back on track?
Spare me the BS!

Adrenaline, before you continue to miss-quote for your own benefit, here is the comment you are referring to in it's full context;

I've got six years, so there is no rush to get in there and make knee-jerk reactions but to get in there and think about things really sensibly, consult the experts and develop policies around that.

Try and convince me that Muir didn't get help with that answer

[noflac52]

You whinging detractors suffering from tall poppy syndrome are a really sad and sorry lot.

It seems the internet has given you an even better opportunity to anonymously bring people down for no good reason.

The bloke has 6, I repeat 6 years to make some headway on a very contentious subject in Australia and I for one am glad that he is being patient and learning all he can before possibly making knee jerk reactions which will be to everyone's detriment.

To those who are jealous about his salary. I say " GET OVER IT "

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by BadMax

Oh the hypocrisy! Is knowing the latest badge on a Falcadore really going to help getting this country back on track?
Spare me the BS!

Adrenaline, before you continue to miss-quote for your own benefit, here is the comment you are referring to in it's full context;

I've got six years, so there is no rush to get in there and make knee-jerk reactions but to get in there and think about things really sensibly, consult the experts and develop policies around that.

This guy isn't supposed to get this country "back on track". In fact I don't think this country is off track to begin with. He reckons he's representing motoring enthusiasts and the auto industry and that's how he was marketed, yet doesn't know the most basic things about the local automotive scene. And that quote is exactly what I'm referring to. It's been discussed before, this guy is likely just going to cruise through his 6 year term collecting his $200k per year and continue to give semi-scripted interviews with vague answers like "I've got six years, there is no rush" or we'll "consult the experts" or " I'd have to do a bit of research" or "I can't wait to get some more facts and information". I got nothing from that interview. And nobody is jealous- you just expect an elected official representing the people & earning top dollar to have a grasp on what he claims to specialise in.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

This guy isn't supposed to get this country "back on track". In fact I don't think this country is off track to begin with. He reckons he's representing motoring enthusiasts and the auto industry and that's how he was marketed, yet doesn't know the most basic things about the local automotive scene. And that quote is exactly what I'm referring to. It's been discussed before, this guy is likely just going to cruise through his 6 year term collecting his $200k per year and continue to give semi-scripted interviews with vague answers like "I've got six years, there is no rush" or we'll "consult the experts" or " I'd have to do a bit of research" or "I can't wait to get some more facts and information". I got nothing from that interview. And nobody is jealous- you just expect an elected official representing the people & earning top dollar to have a grasp on what he claims to specialise in.

Exactly!

Fair enough he's found himself in a place he probably never imagined he would, but fair dinkum, if you are going to represent people who congregate under the banner of Motoring Enthusiasts, at least start with someone who has some basic knowledge of the subject.
There are not 3 other numbers in the history of Australian motoring which are as widely regarded as the humble 3,5 and 1.
Apart from the return of the GT in the EB series I cannot think of another moment in Fords history where they have paid greater homage, than to resurrect the 351...
He had nothing, he clearly states he has little interest in the Automotive sector other than tinkering with second hand cars.
I imagine his view of representing Enthusiasts was about drag strips, speeding fines and hoon laws.

How could you be an Enthusiast and not have reasonable knowledge or at least a well thought opinion of the demise of Auto manufacturing and associated challenges, in Australia.

It is embarrassing to say the least.
Im sorry, but that's the way it is.

[mik]

I hate to be cynical, but even if he was/is the real deal, i don't believe he could make one iota of a difference, the political system is flawed, full of agendas and often influenced by the fat cats pulling strings from behind, people change but the system stays the same. . ........

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

This guy isn't supposed to get this country "back on track". In fact I don't think this country is off track to begin with. He reckons he's representing motoring enthusiasts and the auto industry and that's how he was marketed, yet doesn't know the most basic things about the local automotive scene. And that quote is exactly what I'm referring to. It's been discussed before, this guy is likely just going to cruise through his 6 year term collecting his $200k per year and continue to give semi-scripted interviews with vague answers like "I've got six years, there is no rush" or we'll "consult the experts" or " I'd have to do a bit of research" or "I can't wait to get some more facts and information". I got nothing from that interview. And nobody is jealous- you just expect an elected official representing the people & earning top dollar to have a grasp on what he claims to specialise in.

You miss the point Ricky Muir does not need to know much about the automotive scene since he has Motorists Enthusiasts Party to advise & guide him on policies much like any other politician who belongs to their own parties & guided the same way.

Cheers.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by trublu

You miss the point Ricky Muir does not need to know much about the automotive scene since he has Motorists Enthusiasts Party to advise & guide him on policies much like any other politician who belongs to their own parties & guided the same way.

Cheers.

I don't like the idea of him being a clueless puppet for AMEP, a party that was only formed last year and has been in constant turmoil since his election (another two sacked this month). Perhaps I'm asking too much of the motoring enthusiast party senator when I suggest he should know what the current model of Commodore is, given the local industry is falling apart, or that he know which cars are the top sellers in the country. He's been conscious of his new job since last year, yet it seems he still hasn't been bothered to do a simple google search about the industry he's meant to stand for, that concerns me. At the end of the day it's him making the decisions, not the people he's constantly sacking.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by trublu

You miss the point Ricky Muir does not need to know much about the automotive scene since he has Motorists Enthusiasts Party to advise & guide him on policies much like any other politician who belongs to their own parties & guided the same way.

Cheers.

Lol, Ricky has more credibility than them, and he has next to none himself...

[Maka]

A day in the life of Ricky Muir, old but not a bad read -

http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/n...200#.VAGDRqOTB

cheers, Maka

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by mik

I hate to be cynical, but even if he was/is the real deal, i don't believe he could make one iota of a difference, the political system is flawed, full of agendas and often influenced by the fat cats pulling strings from behind, people change but the system stays the same. . ........

No one expects him to be Prime Minister, but a little unscripted knowledge of the reason for the Party in the first place isn't too much to ask.

If he gats a new drag strip for his VN and doesn't get a speeding fine or his car impounded on the way there, he'd have to be content, surely.

[Maka]

All i ask of Ricky is to be "visible" on his bread & butter issues when the lnp incumbents announce a motoring policy initiative or actual legislation, i'm sure Lyndal Curtis would love to ask Ricky some questions about AMEP & their motoring policies!

cheers, Maka

[ratter]

wow, so some average bloke steps up to represent a party and a big surprise finds himself in the senate.
He was just an average bloke, not a trained politician just changing parties.
I'm sure most of us here would get a little nervous if we had to publicly speak in front of a large audience or tv cameras, give the guy a chance.
I have heard that he has had some public speaking training, maybe he will become better now and get more comfortable in front of a camera and be able to actually appear to make sense or know what he is talking about.
Who cares if he doesn't know every motoring fact, most enthusiast don't!

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

I don't like the idea of him being a clueless puppet for AMEP, a party that was only formed last year and has been in constant turmoil since his election (another two sacked this month). Perhaps I'm asking too much of the motoring enthusiast party senator when I suggest he should know what the current model of Commodore is, given the local industry is falling apart, or that he know which cars are the top sellers in the country. He's been conscious of his new job since last year, yet it seems he still hasn't been bothered to do a simple google search about the industry he's meant to stand for, that concerns me. At the end of the day it's him making the decisions, not the people he's constantly sacking.

Take it easy on your self, there has been far worse people in politics than Ricky Muir, nothing really changes much in our circus of politics in this country of ours.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by trublu

Take it easy on your self, there has been far worse people in politics than Ricky Muir, nothing really changes much in our circus of politics in this country of ours.

Maybe, but none of them have represented us as a minority.

How do we look and how serious are we considered when the bloke responsible for representing us makes us appear clueless.

Take a stab at the questions he was asked and see how YOU fare, couldn't interest you in $200k per annum...

[BHDOGS]

This shows the level dissatisfaction in politics when this blatant idiot can **** his way into parliament not bother to learn **** in a couple of months and people still are satisfied with him and tell people to get his job and are jealous i mean seriously the fact we are prepared to let this bull**** happen shows we may aswell shut up shop in this country and go to a dictatorship at least we would have one idiot running the country then a collection of them

[LoudPipes]

If you are not happy with the current electoral system and the type of candidates that are elected because of it then start a protest for change.
It’s not Muir’s fault he made into the Senate, in his own admission he didn’t expect to succeed.
The other alternative was an extreme Christian candidate and in my option at the expense of offending the forum’s extreme Christian members, I’d much rather a poor performing Ricky Muir over an extreme Christian telling me how to live my life.
As far as aligning with PUP, well he can’t go it alone and he doesn’t have many options.
It’s either PUP or the main parties (shutter).

The two things that I do find a worry about Muir are:

He shows little knowledge of his core subject, that being motoring issues.
I don’t expect him to be articulated like a seasoned polly or a university academic, in fact a down to earth delivery would probably work more in his favour.
What concerns me is that he hasn’t from the start been able to talk of the issues he entered politics to champion.
A wait and see attitude in my opinion is just a ruse to hide the fact he has nothing to add.
Everyone who is passionate about something can talk for hours on the subject whether they make sense or not, his silence leaves me to think nothing will ever eventuate from him in the way of meaningful motoring policy.

The second comes from overhearing some people discussing politics at the club a couple of weeks back.
Palmer, Lambe and Muir’s names were being discussed in very unflattering terms and to be fair so were most other politicians.
The comment that stuck in my head about Muir was “what do you expect from a car nut, they don’t have much happening up top anyway”.
If that’s the way the broader community sees motoring enthusiasts then it is most important to have a representative that goes against that perception.
Someone who’ll come across as a strong, intelligent, insightful and level headed figurehead.
Therefore my second concern is Ricky Muir could end up doing more harm than good to the enthusiast community by simply dragging the perception of car enthusiasts as a whole down to his level.