Rudd Government failings vs. achievements

[Julia]

From the above comment by Michael Kroger:

Have you noticed how Rudd never now attends all of those international forums you couldn’t keep him away from in his first year as PM? The gain for international leaders is the loss to Australia’s hospitalised who have to endure Kevin Rudd exploiting their illness for cheap photo opportunities.

That's quite true. In the beginning he was never here. Now he's seemingly a bit too embarrassed to strut the world stage as he did last year.

But to be fair, Michael Kroger is hardly a dispassionate observer.

 

[pixel]

from http://rettmer.com.au/TrinityHome/Trinity/Musings.htm

The Prime Minister And The Guru
An ancient fable
​

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (on the edge of a wide and deep tranquil Ocean, actually), there lived a Prime Minister, governing his people. (They didn't like Kings very much, and Queens they had far too many in a City around The Cross. Nobody took them serious.)

There was not much to govern either, because the Gods of the Land had blessed the people with intellect, the land with riches for the picking --- and digging and shipping and flogging --- and the sky with sunshine, so everybody lived happily ever before.

And the Prime Minister, who had a way with words and a mellifluous organ to boot, claimed credit for providing people with intellect and the land with riches, and his court criers published the myth that the sun shone from before him and behind.

And the people couldn't care less because they lived happily ever before - but I mentioned that already.

However, governing is a costly business, especially when one has to rely on consultants and advisors and lobbyists and wise men in huge numbers to tell one, how best to spin the facts into woollen caps that people may wear over their eyes.

So it came to pass that the Prime Minister found the coffers empty, but the consultants and wise men and soothsayers demanded their pay. "Not a problem," he said. "We simply divert the cashflow from all the riches that get dug and shipped and flogged through our coffers, and share only that what may overflow, spreading it as gifts across all the people. Because it seemeth not meet that the loot should benefit only those that do all the digging and shipping and flogging. The people that do nothing of the sort will agree that it should be shared - and there is a great multitude of them that carrieth me through the next election."

And so it was decreed. --- except ...

A number of people stayed awake and did not like the idea. They were mainly those that had initially organised what to dig, where to ship, and negotiated all the flogging and fleecing and cashflow. They also refused to wear the woollen caps over their eyes. They foresaw a future with empty coffers and without any overflow at all. And they likethed it not one bit.

And so it came to pass that word got out on the streets "The Prime Minister is no longer as Beloved as he used to be." And there was great Hue and Cry among the cohorts of sycophants, hangers-on, lipopygian chairwarmers, and wise men. They afeared that their cashflow might dwindle away with the Prime Minister's chances of retaining Office.

And the Prime Minister's consultants consulted their tea leaves, and "Lo and Behold" they cried. "Our beloved Prime Minister is not sufficiently beloved any more. Let us send him to consult a real Guru who knows what to do to remain beloved."

And so it came to pass that the Prime Minister saddled his flying chariot, filled it with magic juices and food and drink to carry him and his retinue to the Land where the Guru liveth. And his retinue were many, and the fair maidens serving the food and drinks were shapely and well-instructed in the tastes of their beloved Prime Minister - lest he hit them with a tantrum.

And into the cave of the Guru he went, leaving his retinue well behind. And he spake in his mellifluous voice and said "O Guru, tell me what I have to do to be beloved again, at least until the next election."

And the Guru sat there and said nothing.

So he repeated his request in Mandarin.

And still the Guru sat and said nothing.

At last, the Guru's manservant appeared out of the dark and told the Prime Minister "Yon Guru speaketh not Mandarin." Upon which the Prime Minister demanded "Well then, tell him Who I Am and translate!"

"Oh, the Guru understandeth what you said the first time, but you omitted the password. I am sure your mother taught you basic enough manners."

And the Prime Minister swallowed his pride and several words that initially appeared on his tongue, and uttered the ancient word of magic ritual: "PLEASE".

And lo and behold, the Guru immediately spake and spake thusly: "If you want to be beloved by your people, you must display one character trait in everything you say and and let your flunkies say about you."

"Well, what is this magic trait then?" asked the Prime Minister, and after an awkward moment of silence, remembered to add the password "PLEASE".

"That trait is sincerity" replied the Guru. "Go forth and practice sincerity till you have it down pat. Once you manage to convincingly fake that, you've got it made."

 

[trainspotter]

I'm earning more now than when he steering the ship and paying less tax
Not much seems to be directly affecting my little world
Have a beer and relax a bit
Theres about 10 people who just rehash the same old lines
Get over yourselves your not that important

You should be down on bended knee thanking your lucky stars that due to JH & CO who left the country in the economic state of financial bliss that Rudd inherited to get us through the GFC. As for us 10, we do but try to educate the great unwashed masses into a crystaline point of clarity but alas I feel we are failing. Get over yourself indeed.

 

[Logique]

"Miss me yet? By the way ...... how is that change thingy going for you now?"

Nice post. It may be beginning to dawn upon the Liberals just how idiotic they were not to give Peter Costello the last 18 months - 2yrs of the term as Leader/PM - to show if he was electable for the next term. Instead we get this lefty bureaucrat and a communist spin-doctor as deputy.

As we watch the hard-won national surplus frittered away, along with our national prosperity, and as national debt rises, what wouldn't we give to have Costello back as PM or Treasurer.

This morning we see in the media a poll saying it's Labor-50% / Coalition-50%, so there is hope yet.

 

[todster]

Nice post. It may be beginning to dawn upon the Liberals just how idiotic they were not to give Peter Costello the last 18 months - 2yrs of the term as Leader/PM - to show if he was electable for the next term. Instead we get this lefty bureaucrat and a communist spin-doctor as deputy.

As we watch the hard-won national surplus frittered away, along with our national prosperity, and as national debt rises, what wouldn't we give to have Costello back as PM or Treasurer.

This morning we see in the media a poll saying it's Labor-50% / Coalition-50%, so there is hope yet.

mmmmmm nice post can you run me through the hard-won bit

 

[noco]

So_Cynical, after a disasterous 2 weeks for Rudd, the next poll may be very different.
So don't count your chickens before they are hatched!

Must have been a bit pyschic So_Cynical. The last couple of polls reveals it all. People have finally woken up to this DUDD Primeminister of ours.

 

[bluecheese101]

Disastrous Rudd Policies:
ETS – Fair enough it can’t get through the Senate. But don’t dump it, just
shelve it.
Home insulation – Cowboys shouldn’t have been allowed to take up the work, only licensed insulators in the first place.
Boat People – Do you have any idea have overcrowded Christmas Island is? Start sending thse people back.
Grocery watch – Its purely a information tool and cannot physically lower prices.
Fuel watch –Again, another information tool
Internet filter – I’m more offended by the idea then by the content.
Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory – How could anyone stuff this up?
Computers for every child in every school – Cringe factor
Broadband roll-out – Why not nation-wide wireless?

Rudd has been a total disappointment, but keep in mind it doesn't come down to one person but a whole team. In fact, probably several hundred people when you include Ministers, minister's departments, other MPs, strategists, lawyers. His back flip on policies is just incredible. I can't understand it - if you don't think you can fulfill your policies, then don't make them in the first place. Is that unfair to say? I hate Swan more then Rudd; he reeks of incompetence. Bring back Costello any day.

However having said all of this, Tony Abbott does scare me. I'm yet to see any voting-potential from him ether.

 

[trainspotter]

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more ... Will be interesting to see what the polls do after the BUDGET !

 

[Julia]

The Opposition are alleging that Swan's budget will contain some very creative accounting, e.g. the mining supertax will be included, even though discussions continue on this, and it may not even get through the Senate.

And wasn't there something a few days ago about the cost of the NBN not being included due to some similarly creative move?

I hope the Opposition gets some forensic accountants to go through Swan's budget with great care.

 

[bluecheese101]

The Opposition are alleging that Swan's budget will contain some very creative accounting, e.g. the mining supertax will be included, even though discussions continue on this, and it may not even get through the Senate.

And wasn't there something a few days ago about the cost of the NBN not being included due to some similarly creative move?

I hope the Opposition gets some forensic accountants to go through Swan's budget with great care.

Agreed. Keep a ear open for the words "Working Families" and "Temporary Deficit". What I would give to see Malcolm Turnbull as PM...

 

[sam76]

http://www.ruddthedud.com/

 

[bluecheese101]

http://www.ruddthedud.com/

No doubt good for a laugh. However attack the policies and not the man.

 

[Whiskers]

Re the concern about our National Debt: It's not the end of the world for Aus.

Of course the debt and how it's spent are two different issues.

I'm not sure what year this chart relates too, but for those not too versed in the economy of the world, the general picture is that Aus has very low debt compared to a lot of the world especially our mineral competitors in South America and Africa and Canada.

Also our main customer, China, is relatively well positioned.

 

[trainspotter]

Re the concern about our National Debt: It's not the end of the world for Aus.

Of course the debt and how it's spent are two different issues.

I'm not sure what year this chart relates too, but for those not too versed in the economy of the world, the general picture is that Aus has very low debt compared to a lot of the world especially our mineral competitors in South America and Africa and Canada.

Also our main customer, China, is relatively well positioned.

Must have been prior to the Rudd spendathon.

 

[Whiskers]

Must have been prior to the Rudd spendathon.

Maybe, but a very quick search reveals our debt was estimated at 14.7% in 2008 and 18.6% 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html

Still very low by international standards.

A more comprehensive and detailed list here. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2186rank.html

Since I'm spoon feeding someone who is quick on critique and slow on research... :
http://www.treasury.gov.au/documents/1496/PDF/01_Debt.pdf

and given we have a lobor gov which historically tends to increase spending on social welfare reforms as opposed to a Lib gov which tends to cut back spending and social welfare, we are still in reasonable condition.

 

[trainspotter]

Since I'm spoon feeding someone who is quick on critique and slow on research... :
http://www.treasury.gov.au/documents/1496/PDF/01_Debt.pdf

About time you did your job for a change instead of me carrying you everywhere!

 

[Julia]

Whiskers, your persistent attempts to paint the government in golden light are becoming just a tad over the top.

I don't think too many of us would particularly mind the level of debt if it had been incurred to fund something useful. Instead, it has been thrown around on stupid cash handouts, then schemes that a child would have known were vulnerable to extreme rorting. And it continues. Schools continue to line the pockets of the big construction companies which are being paid roughly twice what they should for very simple buildings.

Now they have picked a fight with our most productive sector. How bloody stupid. Why not engage in constructive consultation?

It's their arrogant attitude which is so irritating on top of their sheer incompetence that is clearly waking people up to reality, as shown in the last two polls.

 

[Whiskers]

Whiskers, your persistent attempts to paint the government in golden light are becoming just a tad over the top.

I don't think too many of us would particularly mind the level of debt if it had been incurred to fund something useful. Instead, it has been thrown around on stupid cash handouts, then schemes that a child would have known were vulnerable to extreme rorting. And it continues. Schools continue to line the pockets of the big construction companies which are being paid roughly twice what they should for very simple buildings.

Nah, I'm not setting out to paint anyone, the gov or opposition, in any light or side with anyone, just getting to the facts and reality in a legal and economic like manner as opposed to some crying foul or wolf at every turn a la the introduction of the GST, saying 'Sorry' and many other dynamic changes or media beat-ups.

As I have said before I tend to be more pragmatic than critical. I'm just trying to get to the facts to be in a better position to gain from any change than those who seem intent on just making a lot of noise.

Re noise...

Just a quick comment re the recent Auditor general report into that school spending... as I recall he found about 5% (not sure if it was projects or cash) was not wisely spent.

While it was concerned at some of the examples the media highlighted, it seems even they have not been able to demonstrate that percentage is far wrong.

Similarly with the insulation scheme, I've previously said I'm not impressed that so much gov money reportedly had to be spent to rectify the bodgy installations... but it since seems that the gov has held back a lot of payments to installers until their claims have been checked.

Re the insulation scheme, hands up all that didn't do their own research and helped perpetuate the scheme by applying for something for nothing. Not me!

I knew the insulation rebate was not only not effective insulation but a waste of money, hence the reason why I didn't even contemplate applying.

Of course the deaths issue, as unpalatable as it may be to some, always rested on the employers under long established workplace laws... as has been indicated with the first of the criminal charges against employers as I recall under the Electricity Safety Act.

Now they have picked a fight with our most productive sector. How bloody stupid. Why not engage in constructive consultation?

A bit dramatic isn't it. A conflict of interest certainly, but hardly a fight with our most productive sector, more a fight with some conglomerates that in the gov's view, are taking too much cash offshore. There is a difference which one has to seperate before shooting innocent victims in the crossfire.

It's their arrogant attitude which is so irritating

Agree. I have said that previously.

on top of their sheer incompetence

Agreed not the most competant, but I think you are tending to over react a bit there.

that is clearly waking people up to reality, as shown in the last two polls.

I suspect I was one of the first to point this out, but, one poll doesn't make an election win.

Also, I don't like or trust politicans per-se... hence my pragmatic approach to find the facts, and annoyance at scaremongers who are either politically biased or just like to cry wolf for the hell of it, or some who just get hysterical (behavior exhibiting excessive or uncontrollable emotion) when expressing themselves.

 

[moXJO]

Whiskers your chart only goes to 2008
Also our personal debt is more of a worry

 

[moXJO]

Just a quick comment re the recent Auditor general report into that school spending... as I recall he found about 5% (not sure if it was projects or cash) was not wisely spent.

Don't think he was checking vaule for money either Not sure if that 5% is right.

And it noted that it was unable to address widespread complaints about value for money in individual projects because of its limited terms of reference.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/schools-watch/ber-auditor-finds-some-progress-on-jobs/story-fn56ulhe-1225862452369