This is another critique I received from a non-political source: -

"Interesting thesis but I'm not convinced it will be that easy for labor to rewrite the narrative.......do you really think we can be the party of low tax? I definitely think there are opportunities to make the tax system more efficient - and fairer with policies like earned income tax credits and reducing effective marginal tax rates - but the choice to reduce the top rates of income tax will eventually result in the tax system being less progressive......

In my view an ideal set of policies would involve:

1 - retaining the government's changes to IR
2 - offsetting the distributional effects through earned income tax credits
3 - making broader reforms to the phasing out of welfare to increase work incentives
4 - radical reforms to higher education funding to allow more diversity in university quality and fee structure
5 - unilateral abolition of tariffs / agricultural subsidies / quotas
6 - allow free rein for uranium mining subject to environmental impact assessments
7 - reconfirm committment to environmental goals but with market based approaches
8 - encourage more copayments in health care
9 - lead the debate on introducing education vouchers in secondary schools "

Corin, you wrote that "but it is the spirit of Labor reforms in the 1980's that provide the basis of renewal." True, but I worked with several of the Hawke ministers and some of the newer crew, and the former were far superior, far more interested in the welfare of Australians, less apparatchikish. Can the present lot find that spirit? Barry Cohen from the Hawke years bemoans the limited background and world-experience of the current members.

You are broadly on the right track with your policy suggestions, and you have broader experience, hopefully not just with Ken! Are you seeking pre-selection?

Faustino - go read: http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=159

I tend to think that a bigger bang is needed than simply pre-selection then quagmire.

There is a breakout coming my friend.

The National Presidency is the method - I just need to find a candidate who can carry the Party.

There is also a new method needed: I'd call it "empowerment" - every message on the domestic front must touch on this.

I have just finished a piece on differential Vouchers for education, and if done well would be one of the most empowering methods of improving high school education for the poorest - so long as there is increasing funds being introduced.

As for Ken - gives a right winger some lefty cred! I'm a lawyer on the events and Olympics team for him, so I suppose you could also call me a contracting civil servant. Been here now for 14 months - brilliant fun to be working on high pressure high profile media events.