579, you talk as if Tony Abbott would be a one man government if the Coalition were elected. How can you sustain that position? They will be like any other government - a team. There are some very talented and experienced people in the Coalition. Tony Abbott is their leader, but the strength of a leader is the degree to which he can encourage members of the team to perform constructively as a team, and to the best of their ability.

Tony Abbott doesn't have the complete suite of skills required, but nor does anybody else. That means that a government simply must draw upon the diversified skills base of the team, and also access the skills and knowledge available within the public service, and also in the wider community.

The reality is that very few of the Labor leaders have ever done anything to do with establishing and running a business, and that is one of the reasons that they have got themselves into the pickle they have. They simply have no idea about the most basic elements of how to run an effective organisation, how to budget accurately and deliver according to those budgets. About the only thing that they are good at is throwing money at those who they think will vote for them in gratitude at the next election. Classy.

Is Abbott the conservatives' liability?
Malcolm Colless,
Only on Labor's & the wish list. To the intelligent in our society he is not a liability.

I must say, I like Herbert's idea of just presenting graphs.
Let's look at them one by one.
1. Budget forecasts v outcomes
Austrai is coming in with actuals closer to budget than almost any other developed nation.
2. Surplus/deficit
We're still in surplus, unlike most devloped nations.
3. Total spending
A meaningless number unless compared to something.
4. Total revenue
Affected by world commodity prices, which are not under gov't control, otherwise, looking good.
5. Boat arrivals
Not under Australia's control.
6. Public service employees
Not abnormally high.
7. Numbers on welfare
Low, as our excellent unemployment numbers support.
8. National debt
One of the lowest in the developed world. Looking excellent.
9. Unemployment
Under 6% far better than most of our competitors.
10. Budget v outcomes for spending, revenue, deficit
All in good shape.
This strategy should guarantee Labor's reelection.
Go Gillard/Swann
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.a

I see a lot of public servants on this site backing a criminal Labor.They would rather see us go into more debt so they keep their jobs.The Coalition traditionally does a slash and burn on un-necessary PS jobs to cut the debt.

The same rules should apply to the PS as in private enterprise.When times are tough,sheltered workshops have to go.

backing a criminal Labor.
Arjay,
Einstein once said this; "I fear the day when technology overlaps with our humanity.
The world will then only have a generation of idiots."
Considering the emphasis on computers & ipads etc. in our education system i.e. (Kevin 07) a laptop for every student ? Hmmh !

Isnt it interesting that Herberts list does not include interest rates. hmmm