Well written article thanks Bruce and I totally agree with all of it.

We've had state premiers who gained and kept office for jsut the same qualities of energy and and popular but vacuous rhetoric style. Two that come to mind were Joh Bjelke Petersen and Charles Court. A certian section of the population - enough to win them elections - don't listen to what politicians say but only how they say it.

So I say Australia beware. Listen to what this man does not say, that is coherent policy. This is a conscious strategy; his spin doctors work on it incessantly - criticise criticise but don't say anything about what he will do and thus avoid criticism of the Coalition's own policies. There are virtually none, only general statements like 'we will reduce taxes' or 'we will reduce carbon emissions by 5% by locking it up in soils'(the latter of which is a downright wanton lie)

If those of us with brains don't stand up and start demanding policy details, we risk getting this dud of a leader who will take us back to the neoconservative pre GFC dark ages of 'let the market god rule unfettered'.

As far as I can see, Abbott has only one quality that Gillard and Rudd lack -- he will listen to and act on informed advice. But that alone should make him an election-winner.

If only that were true, Jon J, Australia would be a much happier and safer place.

Unfortunately all the evidence points in exactly the opposite direction. There are many many instances of total failure on Mr Abbott's part to listen to any advice whatsoever.

Here is just one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc5ljcri6Nk

Here are two cases of deliberate Porkies by the biggest liar in Parliament:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXSkQqXxoc8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2xD6Fjw27A

Dear SM,

Game, set, and match old chap.

Here are two links that will easily outdo yours:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc5ljcri6Nk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMmhwr4gg7U

Tony Abbott's always struggled with the truth.
Few can forget the disastrous 7.30 Report interview
where he admitted - he lies.

"Tony Abbott's always struggled with the truth.
Few can forget the disastrous 7.30 Report interview
where he admitted - he lies."

Could be that lying does not come as easily to him to him as to some others who don't struggle with the truth, prefering to treat it as readilly disposable.

I'd prefer that he had the gut's to do the job honestly but overall if it's a choice between willing to admit that they lie from time to time and someone who does it but denies it I'll go with the former.

R0bert