Dr Nelson's Budget Reply Speech

[Julia]

Who had the courage and stamina to listen to Brendan Nelson's speech this evening?

Crikey.com apparently decided it was all pretty predictable and came up with the following in anticipation:

A distraught Brendan Nelson this evening confronted the Rudd Government over its savage treatment of a range of community groups in his Budget Reply, which will go down as one of the most extraordinary ever witnessed in Parliament.

Nelson rose to the Dispatch Box at 7.30pm, already visibly angry, his eyes red-rimmed, needing a moment to compose himself even before he commenced addressing the chamber.

"I rise to speak against the most outrageous attack on ordinary Australians since Federation," he commenced, gripping the Dispatch Box so tightly his knuckles were whiter than the pages from which he read.

"I say to this Government about its Budget, on behalf of all Australians, I ask a simple question: for God’s sake, why?"

Nelson, shaking in barely-restrained fury, then launched into a recitation of the Government’s crimes, starting with its assault on ordinary Aussie men.

"These ordinary Australians have been targeted in the most pernicious revenue grab in a generation. Since Tuesday night, I have been repeatedly stopped by ordinary blokes in utes, and they’ve all said to me the same thing – "Brendan, for GOD’S SAKE do something."

"Hear hear," the Coalition backbenchers chorused, nodding in agreement.

"Often times when I was a doctor I met young men, ordinary young blokes, who were mocked and jeered by their mates for enjoying a Bacardi Breezer. Mocked just for the sort of drink they liked to enjoy after a hard day. Many were depressed about it and oftentimes I found myself counselling these fellows about how a Ready-To-Drink was entirely consistent with Australian masculinity.

"But now the Government has joined in that mockery, suggesting that alcopops are a girl’s drink, and lifting the excise to curb binge drinking. ‘Brendan,’ these men have said to me. ‘We’re not binge drinkers. We’re responsible. We just enjoy our RTDs.’

"Does the Government REALLY UNDERSTAND what it is doing to these young men?"

At this point Nelson had to stop and compose himself, as tears began to drip onto the pages on the Dispatch Box. Joe Hockey rose and placed a glass of water near Nelson, and gave him a reassuring pat on the back. Nelson gratefully sipped from the water, dabbed his eyes, and resumed.

"But even worse is the Government’s assault on mothers," he said, his voice breaking. "I say to the Government, for god’s sake, have you at last no shame? To say to a mother, who just happens to be married to someone and they earn $80,000 each, not such a big income when you’re doing it tough, to say to that mother, your baby is not worth as much as other babies, I say that that is shameful, that is wrong. All mothers love their babies. All babies love their mothers. Why is Labor trying to drive a wedge between mother and child?"

At this stage, foam had joined tears in raining down on Nelson’s papers.

"And Labor’s assault on families doesn’t stop there. For families with more than a couple of kids, who have done Australia proud by having three or four kids, now they’ll be punished by having to pay more for a Tarago. For God’s sake, people movers! I..."

At this point, Dr Nelson was unable to continue. He stood downcast for a moment, tears of impotent and sullen rage swelling from his eyes, before turning to his Deputy, Julie Bishop, and thrusting his speech at her. Shadow Treasurer Malcolm Turnbull was instantly to his feet, placing a comforting arm around Nelson, and slowly led his leader from the silent chamber, the latter shaking his head in dismay, sobbing and loosening the tie from around his deeply-flushed throat.

"I say to the Government," began Ms Bishop, bravely picking up the standard of her fallen leader. "I say to the Government, this must stop, and it will stop. The Opposition will not stand idly by while men in utes, mothers..."

However, at this moment, she was rudely pushed aside by a returning Malcolm Turnbull, who brushed Nelson’s notes off the Dispatch Box. "Right," he said loudly, before being in turn pushed aside by a furious Bishop. "We discussed this in the party room, Malcolm," she was heard to hiss sibilantly. "I take over if he’s too upset. We agreed on that."

"You can do Lateline ," said Turnbull. "Don’t make a scene. This is our big moment. You and me, we can do this."

Turnbull turned and faced the stunned Government ranks. "I turn now to the outrageous attack on the tax-deductible component of capital-protected loans used to buy shares. Dozens of financial services companies are now having to re-tool their end-of-year financial products to adjust to this outrageous example of the politics of envy..."

At this point the House dissolved into uproar.

 

[pattyp]

Brendan Nelson is such a dork... Every time I try and hear him out I find my eyes drifting over the trimmings around the TV screen... So little presence, so little inspiration... So little... Clue...

But I guess the Libs will let him run around for a while because he sets the scene beautifully for when Costello finishes his holiday and returns to save the party! Everybody loves a hero...

Pat

 

[Duckman#72]

Who had the courage and stamina to listen to Brendan Nelson's speech this evening?

Crikey.com apparently decided it was all pretty predictable and came up with the following in anticipation:

Hi Julia

I accidentally turned it over and caught it and I must add - Nelson was a much improved performer.

It was by far his best performance to date. His arguments were well thought out, well presented, gave very good examples and actually hit some targets across the room for a change. His joke about Rudd keeping a watch on petrol prices brought the house down along with some cheers and clapping from the gallery.

I am still no great fan - but credit where credit is due - his Budget reply was a very good response to a very average budget.

Duckman

 

[weird]

It was by far his best performance to date. His arguments were well thought out, well presented, gave very good examples and actually hit some targets across the room for a change. His joke about Rudd keeping a watch on petrol prices brought the house down along with some cheers and clapping from the gallery.

Agree with your summary of his performance Duckman. A very good opposition reply to the Budget.

 

[pattyp]

He was mediocre at best... Not even as good as Bill Pullman giving his Independence Day speech...

Content wasn't bad, a decent and point driven, response... But he had an entire party help him write it.

"Rudd keeping a watch on petrol prices" gag was absolute highlight... But that in itself is pretty sad considering this speech was another critical one.

There is good reason for his popularity being so low - He lacks presence and does not inspire either confidence or conviction... And sometimes it seems like he doesn’t even really understand his content!

Just my opinion.

 

[Duckman#72]

He was mediocre at best... Not even as good as Bill Pullman giving his Independence Day speech...

Content wasn't bad, a decent and point driven, response... But he had an entire party help him write it.

"Rudd keeping a watch on petrol prices" gag was absolute highlight... But that in itself is pretty sad considering this speech was another critical one.

There is good reason for his popularity being so low - He lacks presence and does not inspire either confidence or conviction... And sometimes it seems like he doesn’t even really understand his content!

Just my opinion.

HI Pattyp

Just like Rudd and Labour - your post was full of contradictions and contained a lot of guff that was of little relevance.

For example....I didn't realise that previous Opposition Leaders wrote all their own material. You think the whole party helped Nelson write his......wow...... who would have thought!!! Doesn't seem fair does it.......when you think that Wayne Swan wrote the whole Budget himself.

I can see that you must be one of the new Labour/Rudd fans......where delivery of the speech was more important to you than the content!!!

Duckman

PS I agree that he is not a confident speaker and he is hardly inspiring but fair go........I hardly think someone who started a previous post with "Nelson is such a dork. Everytime I try to hear him out I find my eyes drifting...." is going to be objective.

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

Perhaps he could be given a fair go as the local vernacular goes.

 

[pattyp]

Duckman,

I didn't criticise you in any way... Why jump all over me and make assumptions about my character...

How about you tell me about why he is a good leader for libs...? What content u liked and support...?

And what are the specific contradictions...? I was specific in my comments.

I NEVER made any comment in regard to the government, their material or who wrote it... Why make any comment/assumptions about my opinion on these topics...?

U r a shocking debater, and lack intellect, driven only by emotion, no wonder u think Nelson is hot stuff!

Again, I didn’t criticise you, why don’t you say something constructive instead of attack my character.

I am sorry I criticized your hero... Love him if you like...

Pat

 

[pattyp]

BTW duckman - If you think governments win/lose due to policy then you have a lot to learn...

Why did Rudd win...? Was it because Labor suddenly had all the answers... Or was it because he portrayed exactly what the majority wanted to see in their leader at this point in time...?

Think about it...

 

[pattyp]

One last point to make...

This thread started in jest... Please re-read Julias post...

I did not enter this thread with the intention of heated political debate, not to argue with any bitter lib supporters...

I was under the assumption that it was a late night jovial dig at "Nelson the wonderful"...

Irrelevant of party support!

My mistake... please accept my apologies!

Pat

 

[Duckman#72]

Duckman,

I didn't criticise you in any way... Why jump all over me and make assumptions about my character...

How about you tell me about why he is a good leader for libs...? What content u liked and support...?

And what are the specific contradictions...? I was specific in my comments.

I NEVER made any comment in regard to the government, their material or who wrote it... Why make any comment/assumptions about my opinion on these topics...?

U r a shocking debater, and lack intellect, driven only by emotion, no wonder u think Nelson is hot stuff!

Again, I didn’t criticise you, why don’t you say something constructive instead of attack my character.

I am sorry I criticized your hero... Love him if you like...

Pat

Crikey Pat!! Lighten up - I hardly took a big stick to you.

Just like Rudd and Labour - you can't handle the negative comments do you? Very touchy!!

Have another read of your post - it did contain contradictions and irrelevant information. One minute you said his reply was "mediocre" and then in the next breath you said,"the content wasn't bad, a decent and point-driven response".

So what was it "mediocre at best" or "decent"?

How exactly did I attack your character? Maybe you are just being a little precious.....hmmm...come to think of it....Patty, are you really Kevin Rudd?

I have to admit you are a far superior debater than me.... I didn't actually pick up that I had written that Nelson "was my hero"....I thought I had written "I'm still no great fan". I guess that's why you are the better debater - less emotional and more intelligent.

U obveeisly iz much kleverer than me. Much moor heeps of intillect!!

Duckman

 

[pattyp]

"He was mediocre at best"

"Content was ok"

Reference to his character and then his content...

Not into fine details eh... Bet u iz a TA guy eh... Read it again chump...

Not worth talking to you anymore... See it how u like bud.

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

Agree with your summary of his performance Duckman. A very good opposition reply to the Budget.

I agree. It was well delivered.

 

[ithatheekret]

I think the Doc struck a nerve or two by the looks , the gallery seemed to like what he was saying . My ears honed in on the excise cut comment , not that I think Kev will pick up that baton .

I did note Kev was a tad peeved the other day whilst putting the icing on the budget release with the media .

Quickly taking out the ear piece and throwing it to the side ............ arrogance or a dummy spit , he obviously didn't like what the little birdie said in his left ear ........... crikey he even wasted his favourite wax .

 

[wayneL]

Not into fine details eh... Bet u iz a TA guy eh...

Looking past the outrageous non sequitur, what is wrong with TA?

 

[pattyp]

"Whats wrong with TA"

Nothing.. Love it... Use it all the time... But FA requires a lot more time patience and an "eye for detail"...

Not saying either is better or worse... Need both to be successful at trading IMO.

But this is a topic for another thread.

 

[Duckman#72]

I agree. It was well delivered.

Hi Snake

Can I please clarify - when you refer to the Budget being well delivered....do you mean the CONTENT of the delivery or the STYLE of the delivery. I think Pat might like to know. Ta

Duckman

 

[wayneL]

But this is a topic for another thread.

But you introduced it to the thread and equated it to political viewpoint; a tacit admission that this was wrong? And I'm sure some branches of TA would disagree about the detail.

 

[pattyp]

WoW - Duckman, I really pushed your button...

Lets drop it... I cant be bothered.

Sorry.

 

[pattyp]

But you introduced it to the thread and equated it to political viewpoint; a tacit admission that this was wrong? And I'm sure some branches of TA would disagree about the detail.

You asked me what is wrong with TA... I never said anything is wrong with TA...

The discussion about TA or FA is not for this Thread...