Oz Election Thread #4 - Gillard's Labor

Coalition plans to slash migration levels
Updated 59 minutes ago

The Federal Opposition says it would cut migration levels by almost half if it wins the election.

The Coalition says it would reduce Australia's net overseas migration from nearly 300,000 people per year to just 170,000 if it wins the election.

The Opposition's immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison, has indicated the number of skilled worker visas will be protected.

"We are very keen to ensure a strong skilled migration program and one that particularly addresses the needs of regional areas," he said.

"We need to get our population growth rate back to - at least - the long term average."

Population Minister Tony Burke has accused the Opposition of using a sneaky political trick.

He says migration levels are already forecast to fall even further than the Coalition's target.

"By 2011/2012, it's forecast that we'll be at 145,000," he said.

"All he's done is take existing projections over the next 12 months or so and call them his policy."

Interest rate rise looms as wild card in election battle
July 24, 2010

AUSTRALIA'S market economists believe the Reserve Bank could have to raise interest rates next month in the middle of the election campaign, with new inflation figures likely to exceed its forecasts. ...<cont>

Should make for some very colourful accusations about economic management credentials & some "interesting" promises, too! :

Warning: your mortgage is going up
July 25, 2010

The Reserve Bank cannot leave rates unchanged for long - and inflation numbers out this week may mean extra mortgage pain as soon as August.

THOSE with a mortgage be warned: if ever there was a statistical release capable of pushing the Reserve Bank to pull the trigger and lift interest rates, it's the June quarter inflation reading due on Wednesday morning.

Ms Gillard clearly performed better among women, while Opposition Leader Tony Abbott performed better among men.

.... Ms Gillard sent the men's graph tumbling when she turned negative, while Mr Abbott appeared to offend women during his sledging of the government's policies.

If the Nine Network's debate worms were any guide to his election chances, Mr Abbott better get a wriggle on, especially with women.

But Ms Gillard has work to do on climate change and her move against former Labor leader Kevin Rudd.

Nine's worms put Ms Gillard well ahead of Mr Abbott in the final analysis of Sunday night's leaders' debate, with 63 per cent to 37. ...

Anyway, my assessment would be something like: 54 Labor/46 Libs. But purely on the basis of salesmanship. Julia was simply a better communicator than Abbott was.

anyway a crumpet with honey on it was more interesting.

Latham monsters them all for their vacuousness
July 25, 2010/SMH


The one-time prime ministerial candidate can astutely highlight the vacuousness of both major parties' campaigns.

The former Labor Party leader Mark Latham has become pretty good at publicly harpooning his successors.

Many of his former Labor colleagues still dismiss Latham as being inspired by bitterness and anger. It's a convenient argument that distracts from the point.

The point being that Latham makes his old mates squirm because of his knack, now that he's a commentator with a unique political insight, of shining a light on their hypocrisies and political inadequacies. Forget his motivations. Listen to what he says. ...<cont>