I know, Don, there's just something "illegitimate" about Labor governments ( and Labor Prime Ministers) they have no right to govern, like anthropogenic climate change, it's just wrong.

Don't worry, most likely Tony( Tow the Boats) Abbott will be PM after the election, he will stop the boats, presumably using Harry Potter's magic wand and deal with our non-exitent debt crisis. I'm looking forward to a critique of Abbott's performance as PM.

oops,

"non-existent"

Mac,

I'm not sure where you're coming from. In many other posts and writings I have made clear that I think the alternation of governments from Labor and the Coalition is a natural and sensible part of our system. I do not think that the last six years of Labor were either inspiring or effective, and that they bear no comparison with the first years of the Hawke Government or the Curtin/Chifley period.

I have also said that those trembling with fear at the thought of a Coalition government led by Mr Abbott should wait patiently. It won't be as bad as they think, nor as good as his supporters think. Our governments muddle through, mostly.

And neither party has a clue about what to do about 'the boats'.

Don Aitkin,

I don't know why you say neither party has a clue what to do about the boats. That sound's as if you believe in defeatism and Australia cannot control its borders. Of course we can if we genuinely want to.

The problem is that Labor is comprised of 'Progressives' and Greens. they are conflicted. They don't really know what they want to do on just about anything, other than they want to be in government and they want to give the unions all they ask for.

What is need is clear commitment. Like Tony Abbott keeps saying; "We will stop the boats". Labor keeps saying "We can't stop the boats. No one can stop the boats' They've given up. They opened the flood gates,, sent the message to the world: "Free entry to Australia", and we see the result of Labor's incompetence (as with all their policies).

We need demonstrated commitment like John Howard's clear statement of commitment: "We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come. "

The we need the follow up with all the appropriate policies by a committed government. Like Alexander Downer's department did in getting the message out to the source areas, about the Temporary Protection Visas, Pacific Solution, Off shore processing, etc and conveying the message you will be unlikely to settle in Australia.

A clear message of commitment to stop the boats is what is required. Labor-Greens-Progressives cannot send that clear message of commitment. They are conflicted.