I am mourning

[Shano]

I intially had some concerns about an incoming Labour government, but at the same time also have/had concerns about the coalition government.

I agree that Labour certainly pitched to the middle ground. I hope that they candeliver on this platform and are not taken off track (off centre) by the factions.

From a personal persepctive I think that Labour, when they dropped the "me too" approach, have offered some good policies.

From a professional perspective (I work in the construction industry) I have concerns about Labour abolishing some of the reforms that have contributed to a significant drop in industrial disputes on construction sites.

I also hope that the Coalition gets itself in order quickly so that they can provide "effective" opposition. The Libs only gained control of the Senate courtesy of an ineffective Labour opposition at the time, and look what happened. Should the reverse happen I think that any semblance of moderate policy could well be lost.

 

[Platy]

Platy,

I know some Aussies in the same category :!: :evil: :evil:

Indeed, Straitman...

 

[Platy]

From a professional perspective (I work in the construction industry) I have concerns about Labour abolishing some of the reforms that have contributed to a significant drop in industrial disputes on construction sites

My understanding is that the election promise (at least) from the ALP is to keep the prevailing restrictions on industrial action...

 

[Keith009]

My understanding is that the election promise (at least) from the ALP is to keep the prevailing restrictions on industrial action...

Labor's IR policy isn't only an election promise; it is actually party policy made at the National Conference back in April.

 

[straitman]

Labor's IR policy isn't only an election promise; it is actually party policy made at the National Conference back in April.

When has that ever stopped a political party (either side) from changing the rules to suit :?:

 

[oz_mark]

When has that ever stopped a political party (either side) from changing the rules to suit :?:

That's not the cynic in you stepping out again?

 

[Keith009]

When has that ever stopped a political party (either side) from changing the rules to suit :?:

As for non-core promises on the other hand....
Or wait till the next election to try to get a fresh mandate for any contentious new policy (ala Libs and GST 1998).

 

[straitman]

That's not the cynic in you stepping out again?

mmmm let me think

 

[oz_mark]

As for non-core promises on the other hand....
Or wait till the next election to try to get a fresh mandate for any contentious new policy (ala Libs and GST 1998).

Never really been big on this idea of a "mandate", as it is applied here. It would work if we could get a say on each individual policy.

 

[Platy]

Never really been big on this idea of a "mandate", as it is applied here. It would work if we could get a say on each individual policy.

Yeah, imagine that all voters had an online vote on each issue. This is where democracy becomes vexing - you wouldn't really want each issue decided by the general population now would you? My goodness, watching Four Corners on the run up to the election where they tracked some voters in marginal seats like Lindsay was very sobering - in the main they had very little idea what they were talking about and seemed fairly easily swayed by the bombarded propaganda from the various parties.

For that matter, a couple of our local candidates were earnest, but extremely ignorant in some areas. Our (failed) liberal candidate talked absolute coughola about the environment (my personal judgement based on multiple environmental science degrees) in an environment debate, whereas the nationals chap, again earnest and well meaning, was always better suited to his highly successful car sales business. The Libs candidate simply refused to discuss IR/Workschoices in public fora locally.

So that's the question - do you want your MPs to be leaders or actually representative of the average in society? Anyway, one thing is for sure, enough lawyers is defintely enough!!!

At least in Lindsay the Liberals were exposed for their dirty tricks...

Come to think of it, I always reckon that is someone has a good idea, good policy concept in this case, they should be able to argue its merits rather than degrade the debate into spin and outright deceit. The News Ltd press were indigant when Kevin Rudd spoke for over 30 minutes, explaining his cabinet choices!!!

 

[Reggie]

Maybe that will encourage some of the kiwis to go home :mrgreen:

Stop it codash1099, my doctor told me not to laugh.

Anyway who would then have do all the work?

 

[Platy]

Anyway who would then have do all the work?

All those hard working, high earning, folk in WA (...who were convinced the sky would fall if John Howard endured a forced retirement at the community's pleasure...)

 

[Reggie]

Never really been big on this idea of a "mandate", as it is applied here. It would work if we could get a say on each individual policy.

I agree, WA gave no mandate to Labor, and would happily keep the workplace agreements, yet their changes will effect all of Asutralia, including the wild west

 

[bambbbam2]

Why do some people keep writing "Labour" ??

It is the Australian Labor Party. Really not that difficult.:evil:

 

[Reggie]

Why do some people keep writing "Labour" ??

It is the Australian Labor Party. Really not that difficult.:evil:

It is very hard after sitting in the QP drinking for 3 hours, hic, and erm yes I know it is labor not labour, but thank, hic, you for the spelling lesson.

 

[simongr]

Whay is it Labor rather than Labour? Everything else here is spelled/spelt using the UK english rather than US. Does this demonstrate a greater alignment with GWB?

 

[Keith009]

Whay is it Labor rather than Labour? Everything else here is spelled/spelt using the UK english rather than US. Does this demonstrate a greater alignment with GWB?

Australian Labor Party : History of the Australian Labor Party

During the early years of the ALP, the Party was referred to by various titles differing from colony to colony. It was at the 1908 Interstate (federal) Conference that the name 'Australian Labour Party' was adopted. In its shortened form the Party was frequently referred to as both 'Labor' and 'Labour', however the former spelling was adopted from 1912 onwards, due to the influence of the American labor movement.

 

[bambbbam2]

I believe it was left as Labor as a gesture to King O'Malley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_O'Malley

"O'Malley's other legacy was the spelling of "Labor" in the Australian Labor Party's title in the American style. He was a spelling reform enthusiast and persuaded the party that "Labor" was a more "modern" spelling than "Labour". Although the American spelling has not become established in Australia, the Labor Party has preserved the spelling."

 

[Keith009]

I believe that back in the early 20th century American spellings of various words like 'color', 'labor', 'honor' etc were used interchangeably with the British spellings by various newspapers.

I do think that Australian English is more influenced by American English than most people realise.

 

[Keith009]

Well, it looks like Gillard is trying to avoid a battle with the Senate:
Labor delays key IR change | The Australian

Changes to unfair dismissal provisions will not be introduced to Parliament until mid 2008, ie when the Senate composition changes. A transition bill to 'phase out' AWAs will be introduced in Feb.

And to those who're still thinking that the sky will fall in with Labor's election, kindly consider that:
- Labor abolished centralised wage-fixing in favour of enterprise bargaining agmts
- Labor reduced trade tariffs
- Labor privatised Qantas and the Commonwealth Bank
- Labor floated the Australian dollar