Federal pollies took on the rest of the
world (well some embassy staff) in a friendly on Monday before sitting down
that evening to watch the Australia-Japan game on the big screen up at the
House. Fun was had by all – although Albo let the side down during the game.

What’s more concerning are some more
peculiar cases of World Cup fever. Take these comments from the Greens Kerry
Nettle, for example:

Greens barrack for Socceroos from Parliament

Greens Senator
Kerry Nettle today faxed the Socceroos’s camp in Germany a
message of support from all four Greens Senators for the World Cup finals.

“All four
Green Senators have signed a message of support that I have sent to their camp
today as we join football fans around the country in getting behind the
Socceroos,” Senator Nettle said.

“The Greens
like the estimated 5 billion football fans worldwide we will be supporting our
home team and cheering every goal from Parliament next week. Football
is the biggest sport by participation in Australia
and there are bound to be a lot of sleepy Australians around as families get up
in the middle of the night to cheer on their team.

“As a proud
multicultural nation there will be Australians supporting each one of the 32
teams in the finals. This always brings a festival atmosphere to the finals
that is one of the joys of living in a diverse nation. It’s a
great shame that Parliament will be sitting late into the night during the
first two weeks of the cup but that will not stop us barracking for Socceroo
success, and hoping for a berth in the round of 16.”

Odd? What about NSW Liberal leader Peter
Debnam’s effort?
What about this par: “Many of the
heroes who led the way for the Socceroos were born and bred in Western Sydney,” Mr Debnam
said. How must poor old Lucas Neill feel? He grew
up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney – just the sort of area where the Liberals
need to worry about independents.

Yet the most distressing complications
arising from World Cup fever appear to have struck the Christian Democratic
Party:

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 13 June 2006

END-OF-YEAR FINANCIAL APPEAL

Dear CDP supporter,

Who could
forget the goals in the last 8 minutes of the Australia-Japan World cup Soccer
match last night. Tim Cahill scored twice and John Aloisi added the third to
seal the Socceroos’ first World Cup win.

Here at the Christian
Democratic Party, we’ve been having some tremendous wins too. Both Rev Hon Fred
Nile and Hon Rev Dr Gordon Moyes are enjoying the trust of both major parties –
in addition to their selection as Chairs of significant Parliamentary Inquiries…

News of further outbreaks can be sent to
christian@crikey.com.au.