Today's news about the touring ACTU theatre production "I Lost Me Job" might deflate any perception of union honesty. As for the ALP projecting the appearance of unity, it will continue to struggle until it comes up with a leader able to abuse T/A like the last bloke.

In the face of Peak Oil, which is literally staring us in the face, the antics of ALL Australian politicians are about as useful and relevant as toddlers squabbling in the sand pit.

As far as I can see, the most interesting political event in recent Australian political history was the Tampa affair, because of the fact that Howard's strongest supporters were voters from the Labor Party's heartland. I know of no other issue where this has happened. This is the sort of re-connection with its heartland that Labor has to make if it to have any hope of forming government. Issues such as AWA's are of secondary importance.

I think this article is way off on the wrong track.

“Labor must find a way to target the 1 million votes from union members without alienating non-union members and the broader community. If they can do this, they could pull off a surprise in 2007.”

Piffle! What Labor really needs to do is target the few million voters who care about the terrible direction our country (and the world) is heading in, with respect to peak oil, continuous population growth, water-supply crises and many other aspects of antisustainability.

This deep and rapidly growing concern is masked in our political system by the fact that there is no way to express it at an election – we have the choice of either voting for one pro-expansionist antisustainability mob, or the other pro-expansionist antisustainability mob. And if we do vote for one of the minor slightly green parties, our vote gets hijacked and ends up counting for either Labor or Liberal, due to that disgusting rort of democracy - compulsory preferential voting.

This is Labor’s great opportunity – to fill the gaping political void and take up the issue of peak oil and all other sustainability concerns with a vengeance.

They are a poor imitation of the Libs at the moment, offering hardly anything different of any significance. And if they did by some strange twist of fate win power, they would just take us down the same old road to ruin that we are currently on.

When fuel price rises really start to bite, unemployment could very easily blow out, inequality become rife and civil strife ensue. THIS is a thousand times more important than the current IR issues. If Labor led the way with sustainability issues, there is no real reason why the unions wouldn’t be right on their side.

Next wednesday when the reserve bank raises interest rates (due in part to high petrol prices) we will see people start to scream. Already people cannot afford housing with housing affordability at its worst for decades. Even if you are a new home buyer on $58,000 per year income the average house is $100,000 out of reach.

Sure interest rates were high under Keating but 17% on a $50,000 mortgage is less (by about $10,000) than 7.5% on a $250,000 mortgage.

Next wednesday will be the begining of the end of this government. Remember "Its the economy stupid".

Ludwig, as much as I agree with you, World Governments have known about peak oil for at least 20 years and have done nothing. Peak oil is affecting us right now, but not so much at the pump just yet. That will follow soon enough. In the meantime, our Governments want to hide peak oil from us as long as possible or risk having their lucrative business partners interests crash down around them. Much of our population are like sheep held in check by the promise of unending growth and the wealth it provides. Eventually, the rich and powerful will cut and run and live forever in their secure little worlds. They'll have plenty while the "peasants" grovel for enough food simply to stay alive. As I've found out the hard way, most people don't want to be dragged out of their seemingly smug and secure little fantasy worlds. They don't want to know about peak oil. As sheep, they simply want to keep their heads down and graze on that oh so green grass our lying Governments provide short term. Try and stir them out of their cosy little spots will ensure you get a good head butting. Ludwig, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see!