The first half-dozen commentators got it exactly right on this topic. No more needs to be said.

Before the last election Rudd ran as a pretend Economic Conservative. As soon as he could after that election he dumped that label. It soon became obvious, besides he and his Government being devoid of administrative ability and responsibility, he had lacked an real substance and people were asking just what did he stand for. Remember?

Well now we have Gillard before the next election pretending to be tough on miners, tough on illegal immigrants , and (Soon to be) an environmental responsible leader. How soon after the next election, if she's elected, will it be that she will reject the mining compromise, soften on illegal immigrants and pursue environmental policy that will wreck the economy? How long will it be before it becomes obvious she too lacks substance and till people start asking what does she stand for?
Oh and her Government, as it is now, will still be devoid of administrative ability and responsibility. ie the stuff ups will continue.

... just like Rudd and Labor at the state levels.

I don't believe it is appropriate for Ms Bishop, or any serving politician (or current staffer) to use On Line Opinion. This post is allegedly about independent/individual opinions. Regrettably, politicians are no longer "allowed" to have individual opinions, but must stay "on message" the whole time, and this doesn't change just because they are appearing on Q&A or posting on the internet. We have ourselves, and the media, to blame for this, but the fact is that Julie Bishop, Julia Gillard, etc will only reproduce their Party's line. Having serving politicians "comment" on this post only cheapens the value of On Line Opinion, and the editors should not allow same - they get endless access to the media already, but the real issue is that their opinions are "professional", not independent.

Yep, the State Labor parties are pretty gross Julie Bishop but have no fears about your adopted state of WA because Premier Colin Barnett does not manipulate the press. Indeed not, he just beavers away for the state of WA.

And it’s not only little old pensioners suffering from Barney's increased energy bills, trembling under their woolly blankets in freezing winters. Barney’s reduced six animal welfare inspectors to one full-time officer, to cover the largest state in the nation and it appears that one way to enhance productivity in the livestock industry is to throw live ‘downer’ sheep from the top of four deck sheep transport trucks, well according to the transcript at the Midland Magistrate’s Court.

Oh boy, did those critters hit the concrete with a resounding thud? Anyway who would knowingly want to consume a diseased ‘downer’ but I guess what you don’t know, won’t hurt you will it?

Barney regularly overrides EPA environmental impact assessments and has an excellent strategy too for silencing community opposition to his 'environmental' policies by introducing bills that take us back twenty years and by slashing funding to peak enviro groups like the Conservation Council. And what about Barney’s threat to compulsorily acquire pristine native title land in Broome? Of course they’re only Aborigines – what the heck do they do for the economy?

Good old Barney and his endeavours to rob the poor and give to the rich. Eighty million big ones in last year’s budget for ‘exploration drilling’ and mining tenements handed out like paddle pops.

90% of WA, now available for mining. Margaret River next? One junior miner alone acquiring tenements that cover some twenty three thousand square kilometres of private and public land - farms, state forests, national parks and other reserves across 37 different local government areas. They have a proposal too, to build a you beaut polluting coal-fired alumina refinery at an undisclosed location and all with Chinese backing.

Anyhow Julie – enough about the Patron Saint of Polluters. The best of bad luck in the elections – you sure do deserve it girl.

Protagoras,

The use of the term 'girl' when communicating with a woman is sexist, demeaning, and intentionally condescending.

Here its use merely indicates you are just another of those big fake socialist hypocrites who think others shouldn't behave as you do but should behave as you say.

So what does Julia think of her boss's admission that he tells lies when he is talking 'off the cuff' and should only be taken believed when he is reading a speech/statement that his PR people have written?

It's easy to understand why so many Australian's feel left out when our politicans advise us not to believe them.