The Gillard Government

[noco]

Alternatively, people are simply recognising that Mr Abbott's performance is woefully lacking.

At the same time, however much the electorate wants to be rid of the government, it needs a valid reason to vote for the opposition. There is simply little evidence of this at present.
It seems that Tony Abbott gained so well on the basis of his dire predictions about the carbon tax. But now that people are perceiving this to be less than catastrophic, he has little else to offer.
He also looks pretty silly talking about 'big new taxes' when he plans to tax business for his ridiculously generous maternity scheme.


Of course it's a popularity contest. Why else would both sides be directing all their efforts into discrediting the competition? Why else would Labor have imported McTernan from the UK to direct their spin?
And if that were to be wrong, and in fact voters were sitting down and seriously only considering the policies offered by each side (ignoring the awkwardness and silly comments of both Abbott and Hockey), they'd be pretty hard pressed to come up with anything serious from the Libs. Even the "turn back the boats" is looking pretty hollow in the face of Indonesia's reluctance to co-operate with this. Why should they? They don't want asylum seekers adding to their already considerable problems in Indonesia. The more who leave for Australia, the better for Indonesia, surely?


Absolutely true. But it's working and if it continues to work amongst enough people, and if Tony Abbott continues to fail to come up with a counter strategy, it could well see us with another four years of Labor.

Geez Julia, you are starting to sound like Gillard."ABBOTT, ABBOTT, ABBOTT"

I believe you are deluding yourself if you think Abbott could possibly be worse than the lying Gillard. I would say the electorate has plenty of reason to vote for Abbott when you consider what this Green/Labor socialst left wing government has done to this country or do you have a short memory? The effects of the carbon is still to come as Gillard and Swan increase the price each year.

I trust you have read my previous posts today with links relating to Maxine Mc Kew's comments about Miss Gillard.

 

[bellenuit]

So what sort of counter strategy would you suggest?

Maybe attack is the best form of defence.

In the latter of Julia's examples, where he said the government was inexperience in having children, instead of half apologising as he did, perhaps he should have just said he was talking about inexperience in relation to formulating policy concerning children and then attack by saying how the government was constantly trying to evade criticisms of their incompetency by trying to hide behind manufactured offence. Call her out on the issue and say where she is wrong and have some ammunition at hand such as comparable comments from Labor MPs, which I am sure could be found.

If he were to do that every time she played the sexist or personal attack ("on her") card, people might begin to notice how Gillard operates.

BTW, the problem with this particular example is that Gillard's decision to cut support for 2nd and subsequent children is probably correct.

 

[DB008]

I quite like the idea of Julie Bishop. With her elegance, she would be a fine contrast to Ms Gillard's shrewish demeanour.

I agree. Julie Bishop was on the 7:30 Report a few weeks ago and handled the questions skillfully. I really would like to see more of her.

 

[dutchie]

Maybe attack is the best form of defence.

In the latter of Julia's examples, where he said the government was inexperience in having children, instead of half apologising as he did, perhaps he should have just said he was talking about inexperience in relation to formulating policy concerning children and then attack by saying how the government was constantly trying to evade criticisms of their incompetency by trying to hide behind manufactured offence. Call her out on the issue and say where she is wrong and have some ammunition at hand such as comparable comments from Labor MPs, which I am sure could be found.

If he were to do that every time she played the sexist or personal attack ("on her") card, people might begin to notice how Gillard operates.

BTW, the problem with this particular example is that Gillard's decision to cut support for 2nd and subsequent children is probably correct.

Not a bad idea bellenuit.

The only problem Abbott has is that he can't complain too much because he will probably have to vote for those spending reductions.
He would need to do the same or similar to "balance the books" when he gets into power.

 

[Boggo]

keepin it real

 

[Julia]

Geez Julia, you are starting to sound like Gillard."ABBOTT, ABBOTT, ABBOTT"

You seem to be under the impression that I'm obliged to like Mr Abbott and approve of everything he does and says. Just ain't so. I have always been a swinging voter, not a confirmed conservative as you appear to be.

Being disappointed in his performance does not imply that I am happy with Gillard et al. On the contrary.
I'm sure I've said many times that I can't think of a time when the political landscape was as devoid of talent.

I believe you are deluding yourself if you think Abbott could possibly be worse than the lying Gillard.

Nowhere have I said that. I have, however, pointed to the political reality that unless the Libs lift their game the trend toward Labor that's showing at present could even result in them winning the next term.

Maybe attack is the best form of defence.

In the latter of Julia's examples, where he said the government was inexperience in having children, instead of half apologising as he did, perhaps he should have just said he was talking about inexperience in relation to formulating policy concerning children and then attack by saying how the government was constantly trying to evade criticisms of their incompetency by trying to hide behind manufactured offence. Call her out on the issue and say where she is wrong and have some ammunition at hand such as comparable comments from Labor MPs, which I am sure could be found.

Yes, that's a really good example of how he could better manage the situation instead of looking like a stunned mullet.

 

[DocK]

I quite like the idea of Julie Bishop. With her elegance, she would be a fine contrast to Ms Gillard's shrewish demeanour.

I agree. Julie Bishop was on the 7:30 Report a few weeks ago and handled the questions skillfully. I really would like to see more of her.

Only if she never, ever, ever appears again on the Chaser boy's show looking like an idiot as she did last year - made it hard for me to take her seriously for quite a while.

It has often occurred to me that either Bishop or Turnbull would be quicker off the cuff for a witty comeback or putdown when required than Abbott. He does seem to suffer from an inability to form a coherent sentence at times - gives one the impression that he maybe relies far too heavily on his script writers.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed watching Amanda Vanstone on Q&A this week - made me wish she was still a pollie.

 

[noco]

What a tangled web these pollies on both sides weave.

Who would want to be a politician?


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...ld-rather-forget/story-e6frerc6-1226504204747
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...d-the-mining-tax/story-fnb53bt1-1226503956361

 

[noco]

Could we be so lucky as to see an election before Easter 2013 or even before Xmas 2012

It certainly appears that way given that Gillard is pondering on how Labor will be affected if the election was held in October 2013.

The economy, the budget, the boat people record and the MRPT which has not produced one cent.
Labor may be considering a loss with a reduction in numbers may be better than an out right thumping with enough Labor members left to fill a Tarago like what happened in Queensland.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opi...saving-the-brand/story-e6frg6zo-1226504020862

 

[moXJO]

Could we be so lucky as to see an election before Easter 2013 or even before Xmas 2012

It certainly appears that way given that Gillard is pondering on how Labor will be affected if the election was held in October 2013.

The economy, the budget, the boat people record and the MRPT which has not produced one cent.
Labor may be considering a loss with a reduction in numbers may be better than an out right thumping with enough Labor members left to fill a Tarago like what happened in Queensland.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opi...saving-the-brand/story-e6frg6zo-1226504020862

It will be early next year imo. They dont want to get to close to the end of the financial year and the mess that is the carbon tax to be found out. Not to mention the budget being discovered to be a steaming pile.

 

[sptrawler]

Well at the moment the labor party look like a well oiled machine. They are well versed and well prepared when they meet the press.
One thing for sure, they will call an election when they feel they have the best chance of winning.
Abbott needs to settle down and slowly start to turn the focus onto how the coalition could do it better as a government.
The problem with that is, if it is a good idea the government will adopt it.
If it is a bad idea they will bag it.
Also the government has the resources of treasury to cost any coalition idea.
Like Julia said, unless Abbott can come up with a game plan to counter the pommie spin doctor, it is going to be hard work.

 

[drsmith]

Well at the moment the labor party look like a well oiled machine.

That's not oil lubricating Labor's machinery, it's their own blood.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/po...nal-flareup-20121027-28c4d.html#ixzz2ATnP26Bw

 

[noco]

It will be early next year imo. They dont want to get to close to the end of the financial year and the mess that is the carbon tax to be found out. Not to mention the budget being discovered to be a steaming pile.

Yes, I would say you would be close to the mark in the new year.

Although some ASF members believe there is no change in the cost of living due to the carbon dioxide tax, I believe we are yet to feel the full brunt as costs are passed on to the consumer and of course it will increase agian next year.

 

[Knobby22]

It will be early next year imo. They dont want to get to close to the end of the financial year and the mess that is the carbon tax to be found out. Not to mention the budget being discovered to be a steaming pile.

No. It will be just after the end of the financial year so they can claim they balanced the budget during the campaign.
Regarding Vanstone, Howard knew he had quality there.
I am sure there is some top talent in the Libs but they haven't been given a chance under Tony. He really has only promoted the old guard. A further weakness imo.

 

[sptrawler]

Yes, I would say you would be close to the mark in the new year.

Although some ASF members believe there is no change in the cost of living due to the carbon dioxide tax, I believe we are yet to feel the full brunt as costs are passed on to the consumer and of course it will increase agian next year.

There will be a bump when it goes onto transport companies diesel. I think that happens in 2014.

 

[drsmith]

No. It will be just after the end of the financial year so they can claim they balanced the budget during the campaign.

If it's before, that will be the smell of too much heat having been applied to their book cooking.

 

[Ves]

Although some ASF members believe there is no change in the cost of living due to the carbon dioxide tax, I believe we are yet to feel the full brunt as costs are passed on to the consumer and of course it will increase agian next year.

Can you explain to me how much it will affect the bottom line of some of the bigger companies? What sort of increases in costs of their tax payments will they need to pass on as a % of their revenues? I can't find this sort of thing any where - but you must have to make such claims. Thanks for the help!

 

[drsmith]

Can you explain to me how much it will affect the bottom line of some of the bigger companies? What sort of increases in costs of their tax payments will they need to pass on as a % of their revenues? I can't find this sort of thing any where - but you must have to make such claims. Thanks for the help!

A quick search revealed this,

http://www.une.edu.au/business-school/working-papers/economics/econwp11-2.pdf

 

[Julia]

Only if she never, ever, ever appears again on the Chaser boy's show looking like an idiot as she did last year - made it hard for me to take her seriously for quite a while.

I must have missed that. What did she do?

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed watching Amanda Vanstone on Q&A this week - made me wish she was still a pollie.

Regarding Vanstone, Howard knew he had quality there.
I am sure there is some top talent in the Libs but they haven't been given a chance under Tony. He really has only promoted the old guard. A further weakness imo.

Amanda Vanstone was that rare breed of politician who said what she thought. She seemed to have little regard for spin on either side.
There was a great interview with her and Andrew Denton on "Enough Rope" where her sense of humour and ready wit came out in spades. (She's also a dog lover which gives her added credence in my book.)

Agree, Knobby, about Abbott not making the best use of the available talent. He seems determined to present as an echo of the Howard government. Unfortunately the best people of that era are no longer with the Libs.

 

[noco]

A quick search revealed this,

http://www.une.edu.au/business-school/working-papers/economics/econwp11-2.pdf

Thx Doc. That is a pretty comprehensive article, however given the differentiation of the amount of power used by various manufacturing industries, the increased cost of a particular article in percentage terms would be difficult to ascertain.

Then there is the need to increase the price of a retail item due to transport costs and the increase cost of say lighting a retail shop.

I still say we are yet to feel the full affect of this carbon dioxide tax. It was certainly wrong for Wayne Swan to sprout on the 2nd of july that a loaf of bread had not risen in price and look the sky has not fallen in. But of course that is the mentality of Swan.