Oz election thread #3 - Rudd's Labour

I could go into far more detail about the narrowness & misguidedness of the focus of Labor's edcation "reforms"/"revolution". But I won't. Somehow I always end up talking to myself when when I get onto my pet topic.

But right now I am extremely concerned about the future of half decent political journalism in this country. (The demise of Sunday & other similar TV programs) ... & now the assault on Fairfax journalists (The Age/Sydney Morning Herald) by management. Things are looking rather grim.

I am reading "Kevin 07" right now....a really interesting look at the campaign that took Labour to victory....I wonder if anyone else has read this?

Hmmmmm....worrying, Msolga....where are people getting reasonable Australian news from these days?

I use the ABC, of course.....I can't afford Crikey right now..and I google stuff and get some SMH, Age and Australian...any rerally good placers I am missing?

I'm very much exclusively an Age & ABC (radio & internet) person, Deb. It really concerns me that both have been compromised by funding cuts.

Has Rudd cut ABC funds??????>??????

Not to my knowledge, Deb. But Howard's lot cut & cut & cut .... to the bone! Restoring Auntie to something like her old self doesn't appear to be on Labor's agenda.

No, dammit.

Winds of change?

Oh god help us. There are still things he wants to do! (Before he leaves.) I couldn't care less about the "turmoil" in the Liberal Party, but do our papers have to be full of this nonsense every single bloody day?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/ill-fight-on-costello-20080912-4f1i.html[img][/img]

Alright then. I'll come right out and say it: it's time that the Labor Party starting to look a wee bit more exciting & interesting! Sure, Labor under Rudd is doing some good things, but the part about capturing the public's imagination, being inspiring, seems to have been forgotten. Which,unfortunately, makes for super-safe, almost boring headlines. I don't believe for a minute that Julia is nearly as boring & dispassionate as she comes across, nor Penny, nor heaps of others ....Kevin, even! I think sometimes a party can play it too safe, too carefully, in it's determination not to frighten the horses. I think that Labor should now loosen up it's image a bit & make an effort become a bit more human ... if only to get their supporters, the voting public, interested & engaged in what's happening in federal parliament. So far Labor appears to have chosen to present its self as some dry public service department led by bureacrats.

UhOH! Not great headlines at all for Labor!
Surely they can do better for pensioners that yet another bloody review?
And as for the Libs suddenly discovering their compassionate side ... (after 11 years of ruthlessness) ...
My vote goes to Bob Brown on this one. Do something to assist now. The way some Australian pensioners are forced to exist is a disgrace.:

Labor caught out on pension
Peter Martin
September 13, 2008/the AGE

THE Rudd Government's claim that it must wait for a review before raising the age pension has been undermined by the revelation it considered a detailed submission on the question before the May budget.

Documents released to the Seven Network under the Freedom of Information Act reveal cabinet considered an 83-page submission, including detailed options, on increasing payments to age pensioners on March 25.

But it decided to take no action other than continuing the annual $500 pension bonus and raising the utilities allowance.

"It is now clear Mr Rudd's committee on pensions is just a cynical smokescreen hiding his deliberate refusal to help Australia's pensioners," said Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson.

Treasurer Wayne Swan yesterday maintained that he needed a full report before considering Dr Nelson's proposal for an immediate rise in the single age pension of $30 a week.

"We want to have a comprehensive look at all of the issues that arise when you increase a base rate of pension, and to make sure we do it in a comprehensive … way," Mr Swan told Brisbane radio. "The pensions review will report at latest by February so we can take action in next year's budget."

That review is being conducted by the head of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jeff Harmer.

The documents released to the Seven Network reveal that it was Dr Harmer's department that prepared the cabinet submission in March, suggesting the department has already examined the options the Treasurer is asking its head to examine. ... <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-caught-out-on-pension-20080912-4fi1.html?page=-1

The cartoonists on Saturday morning:

More Perils of Peter. Sigh.:

What do the Libs have to do to actually get rid of Costello? Find his new job for him?
Or are they supposed to grovel even harder to get hime to stay?
He isn't exactly concerned about "party unity" as he flogs his book from the back bench is he?

Cooeeeeee!

Helloooooooooo0000000?

Anyone out there?

Anyone have anything more interesting to say? (I'd be SO pleased if you did!)

(I'm seriously thinking of chucking this thread in, due to lack of interest & participation.... Should we give it a complete break unless/until something "interesting" actually happens?)

He was elected by the votors of his electorate to represent them. I assume he is doing that.

another bi election to replace elected rats deserting a sinking ship is not warented.

He seems to have an awful lot of time on his hands to promote that boring book, dapad!

First state Labor government to go. (WA)
And what a way to lose.
I wonder what "inducements" the Libs offered the Nats? Obviously more seductive than Labor's offers! (Though seriously, could you actually imagine a Labor/Nat WA state government? Was that ever a real possibility?)
I sincerely hope that more future election outcomes are decided this sort of way. Many voters must feel rather irrelevant.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/14/2364004.htm

More, even (!), on the book.: