Election

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Originally Posted by munruben

It would appear the Costello will never be PM. In reality, he must hate John Howard.:)

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He might John, but the reality of politics is that if you want the top job you have to fight for it, Hawke did, Keating did, Howard did, Rudd did and so did plenty of others.

There aren't too many in my memory that had the job handed to them on a plate, maybe Turnbull will have an easy ride now, but being Leader of the Opposition is not quite the same as being PM, is it?

Just wait for Costello to resign his seat, another by-election within 12 months.

There should be a law against politicians resigning their seat, unless for health reasons etc.

There will be a few doing a "Bracksy" I would say!

I think we will have to wait and see on Rudd Labor. His me too policies suggest he is in a bit of a vacuum with no purpose of his own. We will have to wait and see what his purpose and objective is.

I don't think there is a real problem with the IR laws just that they watered them down too much and ended up with a tangled mess that needs tidying up. You notice in WA where the new IR laws have really taken hold that people voted strongly for the Coalition? Most other places everyone is still on awards etc etc etc. The liberal government made a big mistake allowing the Unions to run their adds for so long without contesting the claims in them. Kevin Rudd too has been allowed to have the field to himself all year.

I found it interesting that last night Rudd said that it has been an incredibly tough year. I would have thought he has had a dream run, media has been very supportive of him, polls have been great all year and the Government looked frayed. I think he will find out a new meaning for tough now he is in office.

Studley

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Originally Posted by Big Shed

He might John, but the reality of politics is that if you want the top job you have to fight for it, Hawke did, Keating did, Howard did, Rudd did and so did plenty of others.

There aren't too many in my memory that had the job handed to them on a plate, maybe Turnbull will have an easy ride now, but being Leader of the Opposition is not quite the same as being PM, is it?

Just wait for Costello to resign his seat, another by-election within 12 months.

There should be a law against politicians resigning their seat, unless for health reasons etc.

There will be a few doing a "Bracksy" I would say!

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Costello did say last night that he would serve his term. He is still reasonably young so see what happens there.

Studley

If you lot didnt vote for Labour (correct spelling btw), then who did?

I voted 3 times for Howard in previous elections, it was time for a change. :U

Give Rudd a go, its like picking on the newbie in a forum, bagging them before they have a chance to do or say anything just because they are new blood. :q

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Originally Posted by Brickie

If you lot didnt vote for Labour (correct spelling btw)

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I thought that Mr Rudds' party calls itself Labor? I could be wrong, but just looked in The Age, hardly an authoritative source, and that is how they spell it.

Went to the horses' mouth, yep Labor it is.

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Originally Posted by Brickie

If you lot didnt vote for Labour (correct spelling btw), then who did?

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Really?

But I agree, give him a go, he hasn't even started yet.

Woohoo! Now when do I get my high speed internet??

And what about those Indo's that have just been taken to Christmas Island? I guess they've been given a fair go this morning??

Cheers,

P
:p

Either they cant spell, or their spell checker is locked into a yank speak. :D

Im just funnin wiv yus..:roll:

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Originally Posted by Brickie

If you lot didnt vote for Labour (correct spelling btw), then who did?

I voted 3 times for Howard in previous elections, it was time for a change. :U

Give Rudd a go, its like picking on the newbie in a forum, bagging them before they have a chance to do or say anything just because they are new blood. :q

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Went ter me pollin booth in the afternoon and only the libs were there handing out how to vote cards. :oo:

I really did wanna see brownies ticket there so I could put his sttoge last on me ticket. :D

The whole town'll probably be wunderin who it was who voted agin the libs :D

I have to admit that I mucked up my vote. A staunch Labor supporter, I waited for ages to vote, got distracted by someone I knew who kept asking me questions, and only ticked one box on the green form. :-:-:- My man got in comfortably, however, and that made me feel better.

Have faith everyone, your fellow Australians have spoken. These are the same people who got this country to where it is today, not the pollies.

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Originally Posted by Brickie

their spell checker is locked into a yank speak. :D

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Given that everyone on their side used to accuse John the magnificent of being up George Bush's posterior, that's pretty precious!

P
:D:D:D

Ok, I give in.

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Originally Posted by Brickie

Ok, I give in.

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Sh*t, you must be getting old:o

Now what'm I going to do?

I'm sitting here with a swollen ankle looking for a fight, and you've gone home!

P
:wink:

I hate politics, always have done. :~

But that last PM, whats his name :p again? Just knew how to get to me, and most of the electorate obviously too by the looks of it.

Dont worry Midge, you wont be the minority for long, only 8 years at the very least..:2tsup:

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Originally Posted by Brickie

If you lot didnt vote for Labour (correct spelling btw), then who did?

I voted 3 times for Howard in previous elections, it was time for a change. :U

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I voted three times - this election. I clearly want a change even morer than you do!

Oh - Hold It, who was the guy who ...

The one with the glasses - yes - him I voted for him!!!!!

Phew - thought I was confused there for a moment.

MIK

Did any one notice that in most seats the guy called informal got the third highest number of votes. :roll:

OK, kev is a little dull,
But there was a magnificent full moon last night,
I actually saw it
and I am SOOOOOOOO happy
Astrid
PS I only go mad on a quater moon!!!

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Originally Posted by Geoff Dean

Yeah, and he'll apologise to everyone, opening us up to huge compensation claims, which he will then have to drain the Future Fund to pay for them, leaving nothing to fund exhorbitant Pollies and Public Servants superannuation payments.

I remember well the last time this mob were in, Libs had to sell all the silverware to get us out of debt. Alas, there is no silverware left, so if the debt levels rise, we all will cop it.:((

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As if I care about Pollies and Pubic Servants Super. I pay mine out of my earnings so should they. Keating ran 3 surpluses and 1 deficit, it is appropriate to run a deficit when the economy stalls. The way the Aus economy is stretching capacity we are getting inflation, interest rate rises and maybe even a bit of recession. Surpluses are not the outcome good economic management just the effects of doubling the tax base and cutting state funding.

The rate of executions in Texas is 4 to 1 black to white. If I remember correctly the big Bush was the most hanginest Guvna ever... After his comments about the Bali bombers I really thought the death penalty would be floated in Aus if he had another term.

The sun is still shining, work continues, it will not be the end of the world because a different L is at the helm. In fact I dont expect there will be any difference for most of us. At least hate will not be institutionalised any more. If Kev keeps his word......

Correct me if I am wrong isn't this the first time Australia has had total Labour government state and Federal.

What will they call Rudd ----Ruddy Ridickulass and his faithful depity Daug Gillard she will be Rudd's attack dog.

Cheaper Asian imports here we come

Don't know what the worry is about Bush he'll soon be gone too and would have even if Little John had stayed.


As for how Australia voted http://www.abc.net.au/elections/fede.../guide/map.htm
looking at the map its only where the population is more concentrated that has won it for Labour.

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Originally Posted by Sebastiaan56

As if I care about Pollies and Pubic Servants Super. I pay mine out of my earnings so should they.

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You should care, because it is your money going to fund the excessive amounts of super that they receive.

You also missed my point. The future fund is set aside to pay for the superannuation that has already accrued. If it is spent, when the current crop of pollies retire, there will be nothing left to pay them out.

The money will have to come from somewhere...at that will be us.:((

Saw an interesting cut from a Rudd interview yesterday morning:

Interviewer: "So Mr Rudd, will you say sorry to the indigenous people of Australia"
Rudd: "Yes, there will certainly be an apology, but the exact words have not yet been determined"
I: "Yes, but will you say 'sorry'?"
R: "Well, as I say, there will be an apology, but the exact words are not yet decided"
I: "Will you say 'sorry'?"
R: "There will be an apology, but I don't have the exact words"
I: "but will you say 'sorry'?"
R: "Sorry, apologise, the words aren't important, but a full apology will be made"
I: "Now come on Mr Rudd, as you very well know, the controversy surrounding this issue is in the use of the word 'sorry', so will you be saying 'sorry'?"
R: "Look, of course I will say sorry, I thought you were asking me for the exact words, but I don't have them yet"

There's hope for the boy...

"We'll all be ruined," said Hanrihan, "Before the year is out."

Arr well, we have lived through changes in government before, we will live through this one too, it is just a pity that it is such a waste of money. http://theblokeyshed.com/forums/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Next???

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Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

"We'll all be ruined," said Hanrihan, "Before the year is out."

Arr well, we have lived through changes in government before, we will live through this one too, it is just a pity that it is such a waste of money. http://theblokeyshed.com/forums/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Next???

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Waste of money? I fell quite uplifted by elections, actually, I think it's great that we're part of the (unfortunately) minority of the world's population that can undergo a change of government without an outbreak of civil war, bloodshed, persecution, whatever, and be confident that whichever party gets into power they'll do a reasonable job. I mean, there's no Putins, Mugabes or Musharrafs waiting to take over. I'm very thankful for that and I think we can count our blessings.

I don't think there's anything much to worry about in the industrial relations arena. As far as I can tell the ALP only wants to turn the clock back to about 2005.

Only time will tell, of course, but I'm fairly confident the unions aren't going to steal our babies and eat them alive.

Gaz.

As I said.... we have lived through changes in government before, we will live through this one too.

It is still a waste of money.

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Originally Posted by woodbe

Or maybe he never really wanted the job that much.

Turnbull would have to be a shoe-in for the position now...

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I wouldn't be surprised if we haven't seen the last of Costello.

yes, Turnbull's in the box seat for the leadership of the opposition. The question is how long he can hold onto that. My guess is that convincing the Australian electorate will be a heck of a lot harder than charming the denizens of the well-heeled harbourside, beachside electorate of Wentworth.

And the global economy is feeling the strain - it is quite conveivable that a failed election campaign with Turnbull at the helm and a worsening economic situation over the next election could set the scene for Costello to make a triumphant return.

He will have learnt his political lessons well from his former master.

Gaz.

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Originally Posted by wheelinround

Correct me if I am wrong isn't this the first time Australia has had total Labour government state and Federal.

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I believe it's the first time there has been wall to wall Labor. There has been one previous occasion when there was wall to wall Liberal governments.

The world didn't end then, either.

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Originally Posted by mic-d

I heard last night that the highest office-holding liberal in Australia is now the Lord Mayor of Brisbane?

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Yep. You can rest assured that he'll lose the next election, which I believe is early next year. He is a very, very disliked man and there are some good alternatives around the place. People love to speak of Labor getting the country into debt. (Can Do Cam)pbell Newman has managed to get us into a snotload of debt with his ridiculous infrastructure projects...

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Originally Posted by silentC

There's hope for the boy...

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1. What a stupid, stupid question from the interviewer.

2. Do you recall some of Howard's gaffes over the years?

3. Give him a chance.

What amuses me is the cavalier attitude some people have towards choice of government in this country. We need a change, give him a chance, let's see how they go before we judge them. It's not like we've just employed a high school leaver for a trial run in our fish and chip shop. There are people's jobs and houses and general financial well-being that are on the line here. It's not good enough, in my opinion, to take someone on face value and 'give them a chance'. You want to be damn sure that they are going to do a good job and that you know all about them before handing them the baton, because it's not a game.

BTW I think it was a very good question from the interviewer. Howard said he felt remorse for the stolen generation but stopped short of apologising for it, because it was not his place to apologise. People took him up on his choice of words, so it's entirely reasonable for them to do the same with Rudd. Rudd differentiates himself from Howard on his willingness to 'say sorry', so lets see if he actually does it in those words.

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Originally Posted by LotteBum

. (Can Do Cam)pbell Newman has managed to get us into a snotload of debt with his ridiculous infrastructure projects...

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Just what Brisbane needs. More roads for more vehicles. They could just spend the money on public transport and make it free. That might ease congestion.
But I shouldn't talk too loud, my company is designing some of the tunnels. :oo:

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Originally Posted by silentC

What amuses me is the cavalier attitude some people have towards choice of government in this country. We need a change, give him a chance, let's see how they go before we judge them. It's not like we've just employed a high school leaver for a trial run in our fish and chip shop. There are people's jobs and houses and general financial well-being that are on the line here. It's not good enough, in my opinion, to take someone on face value and 'give them a chance'. You want to be damn sure that they are going to do a good job and that you know all about them before handing them the baton, because it's not a game.

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Its just the old guard Whinging SC so disregard them.

Both sides have old guards, they're the sort that'll vote for Atilla The Hun Or Hitler Or Stalin if they are the leader of their party.

Then there's the thinkers,
Some might be turned off their current party so they won't vote for them but they'll never vote for the enemy

And the Greedy Thinkers,
who vote if there's something in it for them.

and the Free Thinkers,
who try to vote for the best party for the country

Im surprised that no one has told Kev to do a search yet seeing as how hes the new blood. :U:U:roll:

I only hope we are past the days of

Gee what do we have coming up Christmas or Easter or a long weekend AND . . . .

Let me guess it's a

Transport union strike,

A fuel strike,

A teachers strike

They were sad times - I used to get so angry watching the petrol refinery workers going into the refineries and filling their cars up whilst the rest of the nation had nothing but rations and empty fuel tanks. The workers would give obscene jestures to the cameras and then trundle off - the strike didn't have to bother them.

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Originally Posted by silentC

BTW I think it was a very good question from the interviewer. Howard said he felt remorse for the stolen generation but stopped short of apologising for it, because it was not his place to apologise. People took him up on his choice of words, so it's entirely reasonable for them to do the same with Rudd. Rudd differentiates himself from Howard on his willingness to 'say sorry', so lets see if he actually does it in those words.

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Whats the difference between 'feeling remorse' and 'sorry' ?

I don't like the thought of the stolen generation etc either. I think its horrible. But I'm not responsible for it.

When somebody says their sorry, their expressing remorse for some direct involvement in it......arn't they ?

Howards not directly responsible for it. Nor is anyone here. He shouldn't have to say he's sorry. Nor should Rudd. Its a rediculous expectation.

One of my first experiences with unions was in 1987. I was working as a labourer on a building site in Sydney. It was a multi-residential housing site, so commercial but not like a shopping centre or office block. One day a union rep came onto the site and called a 'meeting'. He wanted a show of hands on how many union members there were. About 3 blokes put their hands up. He said "the rest of you have until Friday to sign up and pay your dues, or we are going to close this site and none of you will be able to work here until you do".

I said to my boss that I couldn't afford to join a union (can't remember how much it was going to be, but it was more than my weekly take home pay). He said not to worry, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. The union guy never came back.

:)

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Howards not directly responsible for it. Nor is anyone here. He shouldn't have to say he's sorry. Nor should Rudd. Its a rediculous expectation.

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I agree. I'll be disappointed if he does. The thing is Rudd made it an election issue - "we'll ratify Kyoto, we'll roll back Work Choices, we'll apologise to Indigenous Australia". I just thought it was amusing that he was playing word games over it. That's why I said "there's hope for the boy" - very Howardesque I thought. Will be interesting to see what he eventually does say, if and when.

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Originally Posted by TEEJAY

I only hope we are past the days of

Gee what do we have coming up Christmas or Easter or a long weekend AND . . . .

Let me guess it's a

Transport union strike,

A fuel strike,

A teachers strike

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Actually the beer strike before XMAS was the cruelest cut of all. That said I expect those days are behind us, Hawke and Keating nobbled that stuff long before Johnny came onto the scene.

As for the apology, I think as a gesture of reconciliation it is extremely powerful and should be done. The affected people seem to need it to move on so it seems a small amount of largesse for a large gain in good will. It would be even better if the ownership of the land was returned, not to mention funding for womens refuges etc.

The future fund, well.... they put Telstra into it didnt they..... One way or another they will have their pound of flesh. As to any party ripping out that resource, we will have to wait and see.

Sebastiaan

Give Rudd a full quarter in office Jan-March and we'll see:

• unemployment up

• GDP down

• we'll see more millitant union strikes like that in Newcastle in 96 or was it 97?

Tonight we'll see the local markets bomb dive.

Australia will be in the poo.