Hasbeen...you're a dreamer, and just a bit one-eyed. I can't think of any political party that wouldn't dive headfirst into the mud if it meant getting elected.

This is why governments around the world are struggling to get clear majorities...people see politicians for what they are...opportunistic and ob dubious integrity.

Farce in Aus politics - when is David Williamson going to write the play? 'Mr & Ms Macbeth'? Or, 'Of Love's Labor's Lost'? (A ruddy good yarn.)

Shades of US Presidential-candidature pre-selection - when are the man-on-man debates to begin? Though Queen G is remaining reasonably reserved, self-nominated Prince-elect Ruddbeard takes to the podium crying 'foul' and 'out damned Spot!' - whilst respective supporters and detractors operate as separate 'Greek Choruses' or 'Occupy' Demonstrators, wildly casting nasturtiums left and right in boisterous array. Bollywood has no equal. (Talk about un-genteel.)

If it all wasn't so serious it would be laughable.

All the public muck-raking is elucidating, and maybe that's a good thing from our point of view, but I doubt that our overseas spectators will be duly impressed. Could a Lib/Nat Coalition government truly be as dysfunctional as this? I seriously doubt it.

When I saw polls that showed Labor being absolutely decimated 45-55, I was amazed that 45% of people would vote for Labor (TPP). Yet after reading some of the comments here I'm just dumbfounded. This is a party who tried to organise a race riot on Australia Day!

Do we really have that many people in this country who have such little sense of morality?

I thought Labor couldn't get any lower but after their public hate fest this week, I guess it just proves that it's impossible to underestimate Labor. But still people on this forum defend them. WTF is wrong with people.

Surely Labor should consider disbanding.

Dane what choice do people have? Abbott, the ultra conservative, anti migrants, negative, policyless, unholy priest OR the conniving, treacherous, lying Gillard with not an iota of credibility. Dump Gillard and face Abbott ... brrrr, shiver, hell no. Dump Abbott and realise our gravest nightmare for another 3 yrs. We in Australia are an 'unlucky' lot in politics. At least with Turnbull vs Rudd we have a decent choice to make. If the Liberals are serious about a landside victory and a sure majority government, the Liberals will put up Turnbull. But this will not happen as the king makers in both Lib & Lab are little boys who can't look past their factions. So, yet again we reluctantly turn to the Greens. They must be laughing!! Another hung parliament. Sucks!

jaylex, you are joking!

I have not read the article yet, but I couldn't help respond to your comment.

Typical one eyed, labor can do no wrong, supporter.

While I agree with you views on simply calling an election each time the shock jocks bag them, you have to realize that this is not a fuchional government, this is a government that is continually being distracted by any number of ministers, some from within, who threaten to withdraw their support almost on a daily basis.

Add to this the infighting, mud slinging and lies, and you have all the ingredients for a dysfuctional government.
Now as for elections costing millions, well, that has to be better than wasting billions.

To quote a line from Austin Powers, a billion is more tha. A million num nuts.

It is blatenly obvious now that the PM, whoever that may be, does not run the labor party, and ultimately the country, rather, it is run by the faceless men, the string pullers, pulling the puppets strings.

Finally, unless you go around with your head in the sand, or, you are like many on OLO who are simply in denial, if an election were held tomorrow there would be little doubt we would have a majority government, hopefully one that squashes the greens as well, as they are poisonous towards our future.

Now I will read the article.

. michael_in_adelaide

The thought of Abbott as prime minister is almost too terrifying to contemplate. If there has ever been a better example of someone who ........

How about, there will be no carbon tax in a government I lead.

Or, the deceitful deal Julia did with Andrew Willki.

I think you will agree this was a typical case of doing anything just to hold office.

James O'Neill
If only this was a race.

Well it's not, its the running of the country.

Ever since they started to slide years ago, labors primary focus has been on holding office, at any cost.

They have had several opportunities to call a DD election, yet have not, simply due to their poor performance.

Sorry, but I'm over this crap.

The simple truth is, governments are elected to spend our taxes, not theirs, wisely.

If they are dysfunctional, as is the case, then we must be given a chance to re elect a government with a view towards electing a stable government, much like the one we had for several terms.

Do you remember how the country was booming.

Just a passing thought.

Labor keep dragging up this how good are we crap, while blaming most stuff ups on the GFC.

At the night of the GFC, our market fell from some 6600 points, to about half, yet has only come back to low 4000's. Not even a 50% increase.

During the same period, the US, apparently a basket case compared to our economy, fell from some 13,000 points, and guess what, they are back to where they started. A 100% increase.

How can this be, considering we are the envy of the world and have the worlds best treasurer.

Yeh, right!