Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[medhead]

I read that piece. A very thoughtful and emotional opinion. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that Rudd should be let go without criticism. He has the experience of being Prime Minister, and he has made a hash of it. He also lacks a few very important qualifications for national leadership, namely leadership skills and trustworthiness.

Of course News Ltd is on a campaign to remove what they see as an incompetent government. Good on them. I'm always happy to see government ineptitude exposed. Not for the sake of mindless criticism, but because our representatives shouldn't be allowed to go without scrutiny.

"He accuses Rudd of at least 3 things that could equally apply to Abbott." you say. Well, let's discuss them.

My issue is not the criticism of Rudd but the lack of criticism for Abbott for the same problems.

For example the claim that Abbott does not apply religious conviction to his policy positions.

Or the claim that only Rudd creates policy contradictions. Yet in paid parental leave we see all the elements of policy on the run and financially largese when Abbott is supposed to stand for saving money and financial responsibility.

 

[medhead]

I have absolutely no argument with you on this one and have in fact written to our current Federal Liberal Minister that I am in disagreement with this policy based on current rates of payment. It is ludicrous.

There, bet that stunned ya!

Not really stunned. I'd be stunned if you agreed that this means Abbott is not offering a viable alternative to the current government based on this policy. In fact in this area the government offers a better policy because it is more affordable.

 

[amaroo]

Of course News Ltd is on a campaign to remove what they see as an incompetent government. Good on them. I'm always happy to see government ineptitude exposed. Not for the sake of mindless criticism, but because our representatives shouldn't be allowed to go without scrutiny.

IIRC News was just as critical of Howard in the lead up to the 2007 election. These things happen - Rudd would be better off ignoring it and start talking about the ALP (not his) plans for Government. Both Gillard & Rudd seem to be stuck in this "head space" of opposition.....why keep talking about the other mob It hasn't worked for the past 3 years. Buggered if I know why you'd persist implementing from the same dud book of plays!

 

[Moody]

Missed this footnote to the "Sex Appeal" gaffe :- Tony Abbott struggles to name a woman

You think he would have at least mentioned his wife and daughters ..... they are paraded at every opportunity to try to counter his MCP reputation.

 

[Skyring]

I just want to known what difference Abbott is offering. Because so far he is the same as Rudd. Either he's lying or he offers the same as the current government. So way change?

It comes down to the personal qualities required of a leader. Rudd's behaviour in regards to Gillard and his own party has been poor. Self-confidence is important in a leader, but when he screws his own party to get his own way, that bodes ill for how he might treat the nation.

And, as we saw, he wasn't that great a leader when he was running the show. Which is why Gillard moved against him in 2010. He basically sat on his hands when it came to the difficult things, always preferring to talk rather than act.

Overall, Labor has been a disaster in government. Their handling of asylum-seekers is a case in point. Howard had basically solved the problem by making it difficult to get to Australia in the first place, and to stay here once admitted. The boats had stopped, the drownings had stopped. And the total refugee intake had gone up. How was that not a good position for Australia?

Rudd demolished that and Gillard made her own disaster. We now have a thousand people dead, detention centres stuffed full, a massive cost to the community, and a community calling out for a fix. Not good.

 

[Moody]

IIRC News was just as critical of Howard in the lead up to the 2007 election.

Remind me of a few front page headlines ... I don't recall any News Limited bias against the Coalition from back then, but I am happy to be corrected. With facts preferably.

These things happen - Rudd would be better off ignoring it and start talking about the ALP (not his) plans for Government. Both Gillard & Rudd seem to be stuck in this "head space" of opposition.....why keep talking about the other mob It hasn't worked for the past 3 years. Buggered if I know why you'd persist implementing from the same dud book of plays!

So you don't agree that the Coalition should explain what their policies are and how they are going to fund them? Sounds like you have been drinking the News Limited Kool Aid a bit to heavily, and rather than being a discerning voter you are merely chanting the "Kick THis Mob Out" mantra.

So what policies in particular of the past 3 years do you believe were a mistake and how will voting for the other mob improve them?

 

[get me outta here]

Missed this footnote to the "Sex Appeal" gaffe :- Tony Abbott struggles to name a woman

You think he would have at least mentioned his wife and daughters ..... they are paraded at every opportunity to try to counter his MCP reputation.

Interesting article link. I note that he says he does not 'fiddle with his hair', and implies that it makes him fit the lead the country. What does he say about the totally unnecessary dying of his hair??

Also, he seems to have a big problem w' women who also 'spend too much time playing w' their Barbies' to lead the country. Kinky Mr A. I must admit I did give that up some decades ago.

 

[heycam]

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[Pushka]

Missed this footnote to the "Sex Appeal" gaffe :- Tony Abbott struggles to name a woman

You think he would have at least mentioned his wife and daughters ..... they are paraded at every opportunity to try to counter his MCP reputation.

Good to see people are focussing on the important stuff in this election.

 

[amaroo]

Remind me of a few front page headlines ... I don't recall any News Limited bias against the Coalition from back then, but I am happy to be corrected. With facts preferably.

google is your friend.

you don't agree that the Coalition should explain what their policies are and how they are going to fund them? Sounds like you have been drinking the News Limited Kool Aid a bit to heavily, and rather than being a discerning voter you are merely chanting the "Kick THis Mob Out" mantra.

So what policies in particular of the past 3 years do you believe were a mistake and how will voting for the other mob improve them?

Can't see any sense in spending your time talking about the other mob.....seems most Australians agree.

These opinion polls are amazingly accurate - if the ALP don't change their strategy they're going to end up as bench warmers in three weeks.

 

[Limewood]

Looks like Rudder has lost his way again, all negative he said initially from the the Libs but not labor oh no, guess what he is running now, what a joke, people will see there this charade.

 

[medhead]

It comes down to the personal qualities required of a leader. Rudd's behaviour in regards to Gillard and his own party has been poor. Self-confidence is important in a leader, but when he screws his own party to get his own way, that bodes ill for how he might treat the nation.

And, as we saw, he wasn't that great a leader when he was running the show. Which is why Gillard moved against him in 2010. He basically sat on his hands when it came to the difficult things, always preferring to talk rather than act.

Overall, Labor has been a disaster in government. Their handling of asylum-seekers is a case in point. Howard had basically solved the problem by making it difficult to get to Australia in the first place, and to stay here once admitted. The boats had stopped, the drownings had stopped. And the total refugee intake had gone up. How was that not a good position for Australia?

Rudd demolished that and Gillard made her own disaster. We now have a thousand people dead, detention centres stuffed full, a massive cost to the community, and a community calling out for a fix. Not good.

All of which is a big part of the reason the gillard should have stayed as leader to lose at the election. Do I even need to start on the media lapping up the cough Rudd was spinning on the backbench, or the stupidity of the Australian public to even buy the BS.

As for asylum seekers it is a trivial issue that has been blown out of all proportion by successive government to get themselves elected. If the coalition have the first intercourse about people drowning they would have let the government let the government implement the policies that the government though would stop the deaths. Instead Abbott played politics with the issue. He is certainly not a leader, as demonstrated by his failure to rise above his own quest for power to work towards saving life.

As for being a disaster. That's a matter of opinion. But How does Abbott going down the same path in formulating policy demonstrate he'll be any less of a disaster?

 

[Pushka]

The media has no responsibility it seems, to do anything other than make headlines and sell newspapers. They must be put in that context. They could care less about anything else.

 

[get me outta here]

Good to see people are focussing on the important stuff in this election.

Perhaps the paid Parental Leave is important enough. According to Phillip Correy in today's Fin Review the cost is $10 billion gross over the forward estimates, and $22 billion over a full forward estimates period. And, many many economists and commentators agree it's a stupid idea.

 

[Moody]

google is your friend.

I tried Googling "News Limited anti Coalition bias 2007" and got nothing. Could you provide me with a better search as at this point I can only assume you were lying about News Limited being biassed against the Coalition in 2007. Sorry ... I withdraw the inference that you are a liar. Let's just say you haven't demonstrated any truth to your claim.

Can't see any sense in spending your time talking about the other mob.....seems most Australians agree.

These opinion polls are amazingly accurate - if the ALP don't change their strategy they're going to end up as bench warmers in three weeks.

So you have nothing at all to complain about? Strange but unfortunately typical of your type - lots of apocrypha dressed up with hyperbole but when you scratch the surface there is no substance!

 

[Pushka]

Perhaps the paid Parental Leave is important enough. According to Phillip Correy in today's Fin Review the cost is $10 billion gross over the forward estimates, and $22 billion over a full forward estimates period. And, many many economists and commentators agree it's a stupid idea.

That wasn't what I was referring to, as you well know.

 

[amaroo]

I tried Googling "News Limited anti Coalition bias 2007" and got nothing. Could you provide me with a better search as at this point I can only assume you were lying about News Limited being biassed against the Coalition in 2007. Sorry ... I withdraw the inference that you are a liar. Let's just say you haven't demonstrated any truth to your claim.

I suggest you take a bex and lie down.......then have a read of the AFF posting rules. Geez, you work yourself up into a frenzy!

I can see plenty of examples when reviewing the 2007 campaign......however, given your attitude and insults - I can't be bothered posting them!

WTH......here's one Editorials paint picture in black, white and grey - Federal Election 2007 News

Labor leader Kevin Rudd got the nod from both the conservative Australian and left-leaning The Sydney Morning Herald in editorials today.


It's the first time The Australian has endorsed Labor since Gough Whitlam in 1972.


In only the second time it has supported Labor in its history, the Courier Mail in Brisbane is backing Mr Rudd, a Queenslander.


News Limited's Daily Telegraph, Mr Howard's hometown paper, also backed Mr Rudd, withdrawing its support for the Coalition for the first time since 1998.

2007 is a long time ago. Maybe you've just forgotten or is it just a case of following the Ruddster spiel blindly?

you have nothing at all to complain about? Strange but unfortunately typical of your type - lots of apocrypha dressed up with hyperbole but when you scratch the surface there is no substance!

Complain See above^^^^^

I do like your posts - terrific lite entertainment.

I can see these polls aren't going to do you any good - maybe you should cease reading them

 

[Skyring]

All of which is a big part of the reason the gillard should have stayed as leader to lose at the election. Do I even need to start on the media lapping up the cough Rudd was spinning on the backbench, or the stupidity of the Australian public to even buy the BS.

Any approach to democracy that assumes voters are stupid is bound to fail. Lincoln put it best.

The fact is that Rudd is who the ALP has as its figurehead, and Rudd has behaved so poorly as a leader that I just don't want him leading the nation.

His leaking in 2010 is reason enough.

 

[Skyring]

Good to see people are focussing on the important stuff in this election.

I looked on it as trolling. Simply put, if the mainstream media failed to pick up this story, what credence can we give a lampoon site in New Zealand?

 

[drsmithy]

Overall, Labor has been a disaster in government. Their handling of asylum-seekers is a case in point. Howard had basically solved the problem by making it difficult to get to Australia in the first place, and to stay here once admitted. The boats had stopped, the drownings had stopped. And the total refugee intake had gone up. How was that not a good position for Australia?

Rudd demolished that and Gillard made her own disaster. We now have a thousand people dead, detention centres stuffed full, a massive cost to the community, and a community calling out for a fix. Not good.

And obviously there's no external influences that might have an effect.