Tony Abbott for PM

[Julia]

All Abbott has to do to romp it in is give clear policies that show some vision for Australia and to not do anything stupid. I think Rudd getting in will make him articulate these policies which can only be good for democracy and for giving confidence back to the populace.

Isn't it time Mr Abbott did start to articulate his policies in some details? "We'll stop the boats" really doesn't cut it at this point imo.

He is allowing Rudd the full stage for his poncing about. Why isn't he taking some initiative and getting out there drawing attention back to the Coalition with some sensible announcements about good policies?
Someone has suggested that he's a bit like the rabbit in the headlights, stunned and paralysed: that seems about right to me.

This present period is imo absolutely crucial. The longer Rudd gets to swan about promoting himself with minimal intervention from the Opposition, the more cemented will his image as The Prime Minister become in the collective subconscious of some of the electorate.

On the question of "We Will Abolish the Carbon Tax", if Labor switch to an ETS, meaning they are responsible for all the administrative details of doing this, and as a result the low price means there is minimal imposition on Australian businesses and households, would the Coalition be better to support this, even if they add the qualifier that "we'll be prepared to see how this works out and reserve the right to dismantle it in due course should we consider that appropriate"?

The alternative is quite possibly a double dissolution election which will mightily irritate the electorate.
I don't believe for a moment that if the Coalition win the election, the then Labor opposition will feel duty bound to support the abolition of either the carbon tax or an ETS.

Ditto if, as both Rudd and Carr seem to be suggesting, the boat trade can be significantly reduced by a change in the way asylum seekers are assessed, via clearly set down categorisation of conditions in the countries of origin, it's my guess a lot more people are going to find that acceptable as distinct from towing boats back to the edge of Indonesian waters where they will then be scuttled and there will be huge moral questions about saving the people or leaving them to drown in order to send a clear message.

If some sort of country categorisation can, for example, state that Iran is not an unsafe country at present, and therefore anyone from there will absolutely be immediately returned, that seems a reasonable approach, and worth a try.

 

[sydboy007]

Isn't it time Mr Abbott did start to articulate his policies in some details? "We'll stop the boats" really doesn't cut it at this point imo.

Fully agree with your sentiment.

Democracy works when there's competent Govt and an effective opposition that keep each other honest.

I think it will be a few years before we truly know how effective labor were in office - am surprised no one on this site has given them the kudos they deserve for the FoFA reforms that went live today and the way they endured the financial industrys' slings and arrows for so long.

Abbott has the problem where he complained so long, doesn't seem to have really developed any policy, and now has a vacuum developing around him. The longer he has nothing of worth to say, the harder it will be for him to get anyone to take notice of what he says closer to the election.

I do hope the Liberals have some decent policies ready to release soon, otherwise I can see things going south for them. 100 dams in the north doesn't quite qualify as policy IMHO.

Face with a choice of a Govt you're not really sure on, or an opposition that seems to have no answers, I think a lot will stick with the devil they know.

 

[IFocus]

The Nationals I would suggest have far less influence on major policy issues such as new economy wide taxes and immigration and are closer to centre than the Greens. They are more the rural arm of the conservative mainstream where as on the other side,

Nats = Bush Socialists

 

[dutchie]

Tony Abbott new policies for his first term as PM:
1. The economy – new policy is to clean up the ALP mess.
Aim: get budget back on line so that real surpluses may be possible in second term.
2. Border protection - new policy is to clean up the ALP mess.
Aim:1. get Indonesia onside with returning the boats back to Indonesia with aim to making
Indonesia unsuitable for spring boarding to Australia. (Win win)
Aim 2: Make Australia responsible for determining its own border protection methods (not
another countries’)
3. Carbon Tax – new policy is to clean up the ALP mess
Aim: Get rid of Carbon Tax business more competitive and prosperous thus creating more ( tax) income and thus being able to spend more money on developing sustainable energy systems.
4. Improving the Education system - new policy is to clean up the ALP mess.
Aim: Develop economy so that real funding is actually possible (see points 1 and 3)
Develop better methods to educate all levels of Australian society (pre school, primary, high
school, universities, TAFE) - rather than just spending more money.
5. Improving services to disadvantaged, disabled and homeless – new policy is to clean up the ALP mess.
Aim 1: Develop economy so that real funding is actually possible (see points 1 and 3).
Aim 2: To give real services that assist disabled, disadvantaged and homeless (partly funded by
savings from item 2 and partly funded from improvements in item 1).
6. Numerous other policies – new policy is to clean up the messes left by ALP
e.g. pink bats (victims suing government).
Education revolution - recover wasted money by improving budget
Live cattle exports – help revive industry and relations with Indonesia
Etc etc etc
This should keep Abbott busy for quite a while.

 

[Calliope]

I like that dutchie. In fact Abbott should make it his campaign slogan i.e. Clean up the ALP's Mess. If he ever debates Rudd all he has to say "that's my policy...what's yours"?

It's going to be a Herculean task however, to clean up their six year pile of steaming ****. I think Rudd knows, even if the pollsters don't, that he won't have to clean it up himself, so he is going all out to make the pile bigger and nastier.

 

[sptrawler]

I like that dutchie. In fact Abbott should make it his campaign slogan i.e. Clean up the ALP's Mess. If he ever debates Rudd all he has to say "that's my policy...what's yours"?

It's going to be a Herculean task however, to clean up their six year pile of steaming ****. I think Rudd knows, even if the pollsters don't, that he won't have to clean it up himself, so he is going all out to make the pile bigger and nastier.

I think Abbott is calling it right, not putting forward any policies, untill Rudd announces the election date.

It was only six months ago, Labor were asking the public to send in policy sugestions.

So what does Rudd want to debate? The failed policies, Labor have enacted?

What is the upside in that for Abbott, untill he knows when an election is to be held.

All it does is give Rudd the opportunity to ask, "well how do I fix it", because Labor haven't a clue. lol

The problem for Abbott is, Rudd doesn't stand for anything other than beating the coalition.
It is hard to debate someone who hasn't any real beliefs on issues, they just change their stance to fit the occasion.

The problem for the Australian public is, you end up with something you never voted for, but history does repeat.lol

 

[explod]

sptrawler;782860]I think Abbott is calling it right, not putting forward any policies, untill Rudd announces the election date.

He does not have any policies, it is just go with the flow for Tony and hoping the Howard past will carry the day.

It was only six months ago, Labor were asking the public to send in policy sugestions.

You think Tony would do that ? At least the ALP try to consult.

So what does Rudd want to debate? The failed policies, Labor have enacted?

The future, which he knows Abbott does not comprehend, let alone plan for.

What is the upside in that for Abbott, untill he knows when an election is to be held.

All downside in the view of the public as it looks like Abbott is scared to have a go and knowing the electgion date will not change anything.

All it does is give Rudd the opportunity to ask, "well how do I fix it", because Labor haven't a clue. lol

Fix what?

The problem Rudd has is, he doesn't stand for anything other than beating the coalition.

Well that is a most reasonable reason. And on recent grabbs he considers consensis discussions and coordinated action, reconcilliation or being able to listen to each other to b e the way to go. No such reason or sensibiltiy coming from Abbott.

It is hard to debate someone who hasn't any real beliefs on issues, they just change their stance to fit the occasion.

Beliefs are for the fairies, facts are what we need, not Abbott's :"arrrr urr urr um, are, yeh" spare me, the people are picking up a vibe that perhaps Rudd is the only chance they have after the last three years of absolute wasted and disgraceful waffle.

In tough times people forget very quickly and have no loyalty accept to the promise of shining stars.

 

[sptrawler]

Beliefs are for the fairies, facts are what we need, not Abbott's :"arrrr urr urr um, are, yeh" spare me, the people are picking up a vibe that perhaps Rudd is the only chance they have after the last three years of absolute wasted and disgraceful waffle.

In tough times people forget very quickly and have no loyalty accept to the promise of shining stars.

You pretty well sum up yourself and Rudd.

 

[IFocus]

MacTiernan steps up Lib rail criticism

Alannah MacTiernan stepped up her criticism of the coalition’s urban rail credentials when she appeared with Defence Minister Stephen Smith in a joint campaign appearance for the seat of Perth.

Mr Smith, the Perth MP for 20 years who is now directing the election campaign for his friend Ms MacTiernan, said the pair decided to appear at the site of the Perth City Link project for a reason.

“Nothing better epitomises the work that Alannah did as planning and infrastructure minister and nothing better epitomises the way in which the federal Labor Government, the Rudd and Gillard Governments, have invested so heavily in infrastructure in WA,” Mr Smith said at Perth Train Station.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/17902595/mactiernan-steps-up-lib-rail-criticism/

 

[explod]

You pretty well sum up yourself and Rudd.

So on that basis do you think the people will vote for an upholder of beliefs?

Or one who deals with the facts?

 

[sptrawler]

So on that basis do you think the people will vote for an upholder of beliefs?

Or one who deals with the facts?

Well the problem is Rudd fails on both issues, so the answer is obvious.

- - - Updated - - -

MacTiernan steps up Lib rail criticism




http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/17902595/mactiernan-steps-up-lib-rail-criticism/

I like MacTiernan, however there is sure to be baggage from the Labor years, it goes with the territory.

As they say, it will out.

 

[Julia]

He does not have any policies, it is just go with the flow for Tony and hoping the Howard past will carry the day.

I appreciate that your devoted Labor bias makes it difficult for you to be objective, explod, but to say the Coalition has no policies is just a bit silly, isn't it? Try going to the Coalition's website where you will see in some detail their already clearly announced policies.

At least the ALP try to consult.

Really? How about "there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead" quickly followed by a carbon tax in order to fulfil the orders of the Greens and Independents so Labor could take government?

How about the total lack of consultation before removing the very effective Howard government Pacific Solution which effectively stopped the boats? I don't recall too much consultation there before they dismantled a working program, the results of which are plain for all to see now.

How about the increased red tape and other disincentives to business which have seen productivity decrease and relationships with the business community at an all time low? Not too much consultation there.

Ditto the dreaded mining tax. If they had consulted appropriately they could have devised a Super Profits tax that actually didn't fail to bring in any reasonable revenue.

The future, which he knows Abbott does not comprehend,

That's just silly overreach, explod and you know it. To suggest Mr Abbott has failed to consider the future is unworthy of even the most biased Labor supporter.

Beliefs are for the fairies, facts are what we need, not Abbott's :"arrrr urr urr um, are, yeh" spare me,

Agreed that Mr Abbott's speaking style needs improvement. However, if you are vulnerable to accepting the glib spin of Rudd, even in the face of the now well known history of his mercurial personality, the fact that nearly half his cabinet have resigned rather than attempt to work with him again and his lack of capacity to even control his temper, then you have a remarkable capacity to dismiss even recent history.

So on that basis do you think the people will vote for an upholder of beliefs?

Or one who deals with the facts?

Exactly who are you accusing of being bereft of facts?
On beliefs, surely these are fundamental to the formation of policy so your point here is quite lost on me.

 

[IFocus]

I like MacTiernan, however there is sure to be baggage from the Labor years, it goes with the territory.

As they say, it will out.

Not with Alana no baggage

 

[sydboy007]

It's quite interesting that Tony has had to repay the Government around $10K because he was travelling around to promote his book battle lines at taxpayer expense.

So it seems ripping off the taxpayer for winery tours is a near capital offence, but promoting a book that brings in profit for personal gain was deemed to be OK by Tony's moral compass.

I'm looking forward to reading the justifications as they come thick and fast now.

 

[Some Dude]

I'm looking forward to reading the justifications as they come thick and fast now.

It's called the Minchin Protocol. Peter Slipper didn't play the rules game as well as Tony Abbott did.

The obvious next question though is why one was referred without option to repay and not the other.

 

[Calliope]

So it seems ripping off the taxpayer for winery tours is a near capital offence.

Well I understand the wineries were near Canberra.

 

[Surly]

Not with Alana no baggage

You are kidding?

She was a minister for transport who had lost her licence three times, including for drink driving!

It will be far easier not to vote for her than it would of been not voting for Smith.

cheers
Surly

 

[Knobby22]

Amanda Vanstone said that Tony is great friends with Browyn Bishop but she would suggest he move Browyn Bishop from the Ministry to Speaker of the House freeing a spot for Arthur Sinodinis. Sounds like a great idea.
Hope he is thinking the same way.

 

[Julia]

Amanda Vanstone said that Tony is great friends with Browyn Bishop but she would suggest he move Browyn Bishop from the Ministry to Speaker of the House freeing a spot for Arthur Sinodinis. Sounds like a great idea.
Hope he is thinking the same way.

I like the idea of Arthur Sinodinis being moved up. He is presently wasted. Not so sure about Bronwyn as Speaker.

 

[drsmith]

You are kidding?

She was a minister for transport who had lost her licence three times, including for drink driving!

It will be far easier not to vote for her than it would of been not voting for Smith.

cheers
Surly

She likes a drink, so does Troy Buswell. Her baggage will matter just about as much if not less.

Alana is one of the few politicians I have respect for. She (as reported in the media) is a reformer, so that will put her at odds with the union element within the Labor party.

She'll be just as likely to Stephen Smith's seat as he would be if he ran again.