The next PM will be put in an excruciating position with energy issues that will upset people one way or another. The 'tiger' economies will want ever increasing amounts of coal, uranium and LNG. While that looks good short term for jobs and the balance of trade, the long term problems are huge. Coal exports are an own goal in terms of climate change and uranium could be diverted for non-peaceful purposes. Rudd says that he will not be dictated to by the US on who gets uranium. I'm also certain that an increasing percentage of LNG will be needed at home, probably carried by tanker from northwest WA to southeastern Australia.

The recurring dilemma will be lifeboat Australia vs part-of-Asia. I'm not sure either candidate has the answer.

The parallels are there but 24 years has changed much.I do see lots that has changed politically. T.V. is much more dominant and the internet is so much more - a force to be reckoned with!.The situation of East and West is very important to us.China is no longer the "yellow peril" OUR TRADE with China has done much more for our economy than John H. OR Peter C. The fact that Rudd speaks Chinese and has been a Diplomat, is a big plus. He will need all his diplomatic skills in the near future.His age will give him 10 active years.The Labor Party grew out of the UNIONS.So what! It's changed too, but if it's true that a nurse in Wodonga gets $58 K p.a..and one in Albury gets %61K p.a WE STILL NEED THEM! Whatever Govt is in power.

TRUST I DO NOT. I am completely astonished how a government with so much experience, (understandable mistakes included) won't listen nor learn from their decade of experience.

I am not part of a one-sided hate team, a lobby group just trying to win a specific party platform... I am concerned about the lack of ground level resources that are urgently needed to help fix problems at community ground levels. I am extremely concerned about invisible issues that create long-term problems and more SOCIAL DRIFT.

IE: SOCIAL COHESION - CIVIC WELL BEING - CULTURAL BALANCE + UNDERSTANDINGS needed to SOVLE PROBLEMS at inter-regional locations.

Gluing the Macro - Micro connections that MONEY CANT BUY. Evidence: Growing social issues in Mental Health, Youth, Hospitals, Indigenous Affairs that contribute to house-hold stress and all forms of crime.

INFRASTRUCTURE that empowers "whole" communities. SINGLES INCLUDED.

Skills BUILDING in COMMUNITY SECTORS to overcome the lack of network intergration and which build local ownership, goodwill and capacity.

Depletion in services that presently have no ablity to expand - because of the lack of resources. Transport - Transport - Transport - Fax - DIGITAL RESOURCES + Phones.... access to QUALITY TWO_WAY COMMUNICATION and CONSULTATION TIME!

The present spending spree shifts the problem, puts us ALL AT RISK because we HAVE NO SAFETY NET beyond the individual,

Look at KATRINA. It is a case-study we need to observe and contrast against our own issues.

Rural Australia needs to be brought back into the Development LOOP. WE NEED RESOURCES more than pockets full of money.

Don't give me the FISH I want the ROD SO I CAN DO MY OWN FISHING.

http://www.miacat.com
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yes, mcat, the 'rod' is citizen iniative referendum, and your not going to get it, or direct elections, or public conduct of the business of the people.

no one gives away power. the pollies have all the power and they will keep it.

oz can have democracy, if enough ozzians want it, but they don't. most are satisfied to be sheep. get used to it.