AA,

A broken promise is lie. That she was able to deliver on all her promises but chose not to, makes them deliberate lies.

Labor and the Greens did end up installing a serial liar, who by the recent news articles is not trusted even by her own party.

Abbott will have claimed the scalp of a second Labor MP in 2 years.

579

'46% to 54% that is not a bad position for an incumbent 2 years out from an election. '

then why is the Labour party sharpening their knives yet again or is it just in everyone's imagination.

579

but unlike previous years those figures won't change greatly.

Poirot

that's the usual hoary old greens/labor line. It is merely an attempt to spread the blame for their incompetence and disgrace.

If those figures don't change we are looking at another hung parliament.

Tony Abbott has the advantages of not being ruled by the 'faceless' men, of leading a Coalition Party with a history of integrity and values which has delivered budget surpluses time and again (placing Aus in a very favourable position to ride out the GFC, and with the soundest banking system in the world), a Coalition of making hard but constructive decisions and changes (like the introduction of the GST and associated improvements to the taxation system), and of avoiding knee-jerk reactions like pink batts and overpriced school halls (instead of healthcare or affordable housing), and of avoiding untimely and unwarranted taxes like the carbon tax.

A man (or woman) is not a Party. Ms Gillard says "I, I, I"; where Lib/Nats say "we, we, we". And, when the Lib/Nats say it you can usually believe it, and have your aspirations realised.

A succession of Labor State Governments hindered developments in healthcare, education and regulation of Murray-Darling water allocations, but the Howard Federal government took a lot of misguided blame for such State deficiencies, indirectly contributing to the electoral loss in 2007. What now has really improved under Labor?

We have lost clothing, footwear, solar-panel and steel manufacture under Rudd/Gillard governments, lost jobs in banking, telecommunications, housing construction and more, and now Julia is talking about revitalising manufacturing and industry - when the horse has already bolted. "There is a time in the tides of men, which taken ..." The boats sailed, and weren't even missed. Poor timing, Julia/Wayne.

Sure, we need policies from Abbott, and he doesn't fit the usual mould, but at least he does have what it takes to rise to the occasion, and has the Party capable of making progress, profitability and rejuvenation possible. (And with budget surpluses.) Question is, can the Aus electorate see the wood for the trees? Who may ultimately best be relied upon to walk the walk?

@Saltpetre, at least seven of your statements are contradicted by the evidence.

1. “Faceless men”? ALP decision makers today are elected and well-known. Maybe in the 70s. Not now.

“history of integrity and values”? It was his own senator who called John Howard the Lying Rodent after years lying to his party. In its first term, John Howard lost seven ministers for serious breaches of ministerial conduct. The current Government? None?

“delivered budget surpluses time and again”. No, the Fraser Government never delivered a surplus. After 13 consecutive deficits Paul Keating delivered four in succession.

“knee-jerk reactions like pink batts”. Economists claim this was the key move which saved Australia – alone in the Western world – from a devastating recession. Environmentalists claim it will save energy costs for 150 years.

“overpriced school halls” Not according to independent economists and the Auditor-General.

“avoiding untimely and unwarranted taxes.” The Howard Government was the highest taxing in Australia’s history. Taxes are now lower overall.

“We have lost clothing, footwear, solar-panel and steel manufacture [jobs] …” Sure. But you have gained jobs in education, mining, technology, tourism and elsewhere. Total employment is what counts. It has gone up under Labor.

“What now has really improved under Labor?” you ask. Exactly. What have the Romans done for us?

Well, stronger economic growth relative to comparable nations, top credit rating with all agencies for the first time ever, strong Aussie dollar, better relative performance on inflation, unemployment, interest rates and debt to GDP ratio, lower taxes, increased pensions, fairer superannuation for low income earners, apology to the Indigenous communities, paid parental leave, the education tax refund, controls on pokie machines, permits for gay couples to marry overseas, better relations with neighbouring countries, higher international profile as a leader in economic management, greater ministerial integrity, greater equity in distribution of windfall mining profits and action on climate change.

That’s 20 off the top of my head. And I don’t even live in Australia.

Saltpetre, on a thread dealing with lies and integrity your input is a little disappointing. Please check your facts next time.