The Gillard Government

[drsmith]

Could this be the ultimate indignity for Wayne Swan,

For the first time we could have Treasury officially announcing a "budget black hole" before election day.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/busines...martin-parkinson/story-fni0d8gi-1226660589875

 

[drsmith]

Anyone wanting to pay their last respects to the terminally ill Gillard leadership had better do so quickly.

Life support could be turned off at any time.

The ABC understands Prime Minister Julia Gillard has lost significant support in the Labor caucus.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/julia-gillard-loses-significant-support-in-caucus/4742626

ABC Insiders host Barrie Cassidy adds to comments he made on his show this morning,

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has lost significant support in the caucus, with key players now planning when and how she should be approached to step aside.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/cassidy---gillard/4742634

 

[Logique]

Anyone wanting to pay their last respects to the terminally ill Gillard leadership had better do so quickly.
Life support could be turned off at any time.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/julia-gillard-loses-significant-support-in-caucus/4742626

ABC Insiders host Barrie Cassidy adds to comments he made on his show this morning,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/cassidy---gillard/4742634

Cassidy makes a convincing case, it will resonate with the Labor caucus. Rudd to lead into the election, but Shorten after the election. Makes a lot of sense (for the ALP), and would save a few seats. But - the PM is one stubborn woman.

 

[Julia]

I was wondering if the Coalition should actually run on a conditional promise of a double dissolution. Something like.. if the Senate blocks the will of the people, there will be a spill of both houses within 6 months. Puts it out there upfront, no surprises post-election. Gets the mandate from the people.

Good idea. That would also protect them against post election accusations of "you didn't tell us........."

Cassidy makes a convincing case, it will resonate with the Labor caucus. Rudd to lead into the election, but Shorten after the election. Makes a lot of sense (for the ALP), and would save a few seats. But - the PM is one stubborn woman.

Do you think Rudd would go for that? Or is his ego so unshakeable that he wouldn't even consider the possibility of someone else taking the leadership post failure to win?

There's so much against Rudd returning imo. Not just his pompous, self aggrandising personality, but all the fodder the Coalition would have for their advertising following Rudd's colleagues' deprecating remarks about his pathology some months ago.

And how would the electorate be expected to react to a Party that knifed their leader, only to beseech him to return in order to save them?
I hope Gillard stays right where she is.

 

[drsmith]

There's so much against Rudd returning imo. Not just his pompous, self aggrandising personality, but all the fodder the Coalition would have for their advertising following Rudd's colleagues' deprecating remarks about his pathology some months ago.

And how would the electorate be expected to react to a Party that knifed their leader, only to beseech him to return in order to save them?
I hope Gillard stays right where she is.

The above highlights why they've stuck with Gillard for so long, but in the end it's all relative. The prospect of a few scorched and tattered beanbags and a bit of false hope as opposed to the prospect of nothing but burnt wreckage may well be enough.

 

[sptrawler]

Good idea. That would also protect them against post election accusations of "you didn't tell us........."

Do you think Rudd would go for that? Or is his ego so unshakeable that he wouldn't even consider the possibility of someone else taking the leadership post failure to win?

There's so much against Rudd returning imo. Not just his pompous, self aggrandising personality, but all the fodder the Coalition would have for their advertising following Rudd's colleagues' deprecating remarks about his pathology some months ago.

And how would the electorate be expected to react to a Party that knifed their leader, only to beseech him to return in order to save them?
I hope Gillard stays right where she is.

+1 I agree with you Julia, just imagine the flipping of ministers, all of the front bench would have to be removed.
Most of them vented their spleens on national t.v against Rudd.
Removing Swan, even though it would be a welcome move, would be political suicide 100 days out.

They really are dumb, but I don't think they will drop their bundle now, not this close, it would be admission of complete failure over the last three years.
The coalition would have a field day, "They hate Rudd, but anything is better than Gillard" No I think they are all strapped to the Titanic and they are going down together.
Maybe a few Independents with them.

 

[Logique]

Here is the link to the No Power Grab website mentioned by Nick Minchin yesterday morning: http://www.nopowergrab.com.au/ The site urges you to vote NO.

Refers to the Referendum on "recognition of local government" on 14 Sept. In reality, it is a grab for increased federal power over local government. Worse, it seems to have bipartisan support from the federal pollies.

Quote:

VOTE NO TO CANBERRA’S POWER GRAB
Our system of government isn’t perfect, but it has helped make Australia the best country on earth. Now is not the time to remove the restrictions that hold Canberra politicians to account.

Don’t be fooled: This is a massive power grab by Canberra politicians and bureaucrats!

Make no mistake: Letting Canberra control local government will:

Force Councils to do what’s good for Canberra, not communities

Harm Local Services

Increase rates

Lead to less accountability

Lead to more bureaucracy

And mean even more political buck-passing.

Politicians are arguing that change is “small” and “practical” – but we know the truth. Changing our Constitution will turn our democracy on its head, and open the doors to a massive power grab by Canberra politicians and bureaucrats to direct local services: Click HERE to learn more about just how this will just make things worse.

Unquote.

 

[Calliope]

Being Opposition leader is the most difficult and least rewarding job in parliament. I can't see a swollen headed egomaniac like Rudd putting up his hand for it and leading a Party where most of the caucus hate him...and with good reason.

 

[bigdog]

Julia Gillard - It's Over!.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KxcE0CuOay4

 

[Julia]

Here is the link to the No Power Grab website mentioned by Nick Minchin yesterday morning: http://www.nopowergrab.com.au/ The site urges you to vote NO.

I heard a radio discussion about this during the week. The 'expert' being interviewed was, I think, from one of the universities. He urged that the public should not be guided by federal politicians on this, as they have only their own interests (greater power) in mind.

He gave several examples of how such legislation would allow the Feds to bypass the States in ways that would be very detrimental. Can't bring these to mind now, but it left a strong impression on me that he was right and in any referendum to vote NO.

He also said it's spurious to suggest the legislation is needed in order for the Commonwealth to give money to local government as they absolutely can do this now.

 

[drsmith]

Julia Gillard - It's Over!.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KxcE0CuOay4

There's been a big change in the Sportsbet odds with Kevin Rudd now favoured at $1.50 to lead the ALP to the next election. Julia Gillard is $2.20.

http://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting...Australian-Federal-Election-2013/14-3668.html

The punters though got it wrong back in March.

 

[dutchie]

Gee. Bill's sharp

The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Shorten last Friday conceded for the first time to the PM that the government "had problems" after a meeting of the automobile industry in Melbourne.

Thanks for the tip Bill and I agree, the government "had problems".

(definite Labor leader potential there, folks)

 

[drsmith]

The only parts of Bill's anatomy that can make decisions for itself is his bladder and his anus.

He otherwise requires instruction.

 

[drsmith]

Someone needs to tell Tony Windsor that he's now of little use to Labor in this term of government.

Meanwhile, key independent Tony Windsor confirmed on Monday that if Labor changed leaders, the arrangement he had with the Prime Minister would be ''null and void''.

That could be left to Labor itself.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/shorten-repels-call-to-turn-on-pm-20130609-2ny89.html

 

[Bintang]

What is Ton Windsor on about? His arrangement with Labor has always been 'null and void'.
It's been null of any benefit to the Australian people and void of any common sense from day one.

 

[Calliope]

What is Ton Windsor on about? His arrangement with Labor has always been 'null and void'.
It's been null of any benefit to the Australian people and void of any common sense from day one.

He could come in handy.

A COUP returning Kevin Rudd to the Labor leadership could put Tony Abbott in the Prime Minister's office even before the September 14 election.
Mr Abbott's Opposition is considering tactics, should there be a Labor leadership change, with one option being an immediate challenge to the Government through a vote of no-confidence.

A shift in crossbench support could see Labor lose the vote and Mr Abbott sworn in as Prime Minister with an obligation to quickly call an election

.

http://www.news.com.au/national-new...-before-election/story-fncynjr2-1226661262867

 

[Julia]

Gee. Bill's sharp

The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Shorten last Friday conceded for the first time to the PM that the government "had problems" after a meeting of the automobile industry in Melbourne.

Thanks for the tip Bill and I agree, the government "had problems".

(definite Labor leader potential there, folks)

 

[bellenuit]

A COUP returning Kevin Rudd to the Labor leadership could put Tony Abbott in the Prime Minister's office even before the September 14 election.
Mr Abbott's Opposition is considering tactics, should there be a Labor leadership change, with one option being an immediate challenge to the Government through a vote of no-confidence.

A shift in crossbench support could see Labor lose the vote and Mr Abbott sworn in as Prime Minister with an obligation to quickly call an election.

http://www.news.com.au/national-new...-before-election/story-fncynjr2-1226661262867

I'm thinking out loud here, not disagreeing. Excepting being able to prevent the remaining bits of legislation on Gillard's agenda being passed, what would the benefit be to Abbott of gaining the leadership at this stage? He wouldn't be able to push through any legislation of his own as there is nothing that he is proposing (as far as I am aware) that would garner the support of the Greens and independents. He could call an immediate election, but then what difference would that make. One benefit might be the ability to expose the real state of the economy, rather than discover it 6 months down the track after the election is over. One risk is that even when in caretaker mode, he might have to act on illegal boat arrivals even though he hasn't had the opportunity to get the navy up to speed or negotiate with Indonesia / Sri Lanka. He might end up copping the flak for all subsequent arrivals and deaths until election day.

 

[drsmith]

He could come in handy.

http://www.news.com.au/national-new...-before-election/story-fncynjr2-1226661262867

The Greens Adam Bandt would support Labor regardless as would former Labor member Craig Thomson.

As for the others, I'd suggest that the Labor powerbrokers would canvass them in private beforehand and consider their actions on that basis.

I can't imagine Peter Slipper, Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott or that other independent windbag handing Tony Abbott the keys to the Lodge. Regardless of their empty noises in public, they've wedded themselves to this government for the duration.

There's also the question of where Bob Katter's loyalties would lie should push come to shove,

Bob Katter, the colourful federal crossbencher from Queensland, does have the strangest bunch of friends. He and Kevin Rudd – whom Katter would like to see back as PM – are thick as thieves.

http://theconversation.com/bob-katter-the-man-with-friends-in-odd-places-12809

Another option for Kev should he become PM again might be an immediate trip to the GG for a cuppa. The benefit of that if nothing else is that it would bring the election forward.

 

[sptrawler]

Someone needs to tell Tony Windsor that he's now of little use to Labor in this term of government
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/shorten-repels-call-to-turn-on-pm-20130609-2ny89.html

Why anyone gives Tony Windsor any airplay, is beyond me, he really appears past his use by date. His "day in the limelight" is over, only he doesn't get it.
Pass him a rusk.IMO