No, I don't think this will go that far.
When I first heard Garrett's comments I thought they were pretty incendiary, but on reflection I really doubt they'll provide all that much mileage.

Interest rates rise gives Garrett glimmer of hope.

I suspect that politics junkies are the only people even vaguely interested in either Abbott or Garrett. This election is mostly a personality contest between Rudd and Howard, the rest is just background noise.

Considering that Labor have thought through these "me too" policies for ... um ... gosh ... all of two minutes, it is not surprising that their real agenda will be quite different.

Can anybody seriously believe otherwise?

And if these are truly the "real" Labor policies, how on earth will they manage to govern in their own right when they have nobody else to copy?

I for one, would like to know what they really plan on doing when they get into power.

If their plans are so good, why are they so afraid to take them to the Australian people?

Get a grip! This article reflects what is wrong with this whole electoral process and the self important media comments. The problem with the Australian media (most of them) in this tedious ten month election process is that the view from where they have stuffed their heads is limited.
This is a non-story - Garrett said something in irony/as a joke, John Howard, desperate, makes a big thing of it and instead of the media applying a critical mind, immediately seizes it and runs around circles flapping their wings and uncritically repeat what he says after portentous pontificating pseudo analysis made in absence of reality checks. This is what happened with the Kevin Rudd/Burke and Rudd/nightclub stories.
I have listened to a whole series of Canberra (Parliamentary Press Gallery) journalists for nearly 11 months now all rehashing a whole lot of Canberra-centric views and arguments. They have waffled/droned and the best one I have heard from them is: “I cannot understand the polls and why they are showing a preference for Kevin Rudd”. I and any Australian (including John Howard) could have told them that there are two related reasons why Rudd is preferred:
1. Labor has a leader who is halfway acceptable for the first time since 1996; and
2. The Labor leader is not John Howard.
It is as simple as that. Australians who are not rusted on are heartily sick of Howard. Howard reads the public very well and he is aware of these reasons, which is why he is so desperate and clutches at miniscule straws like Garrett being fool enough to believe that he could use irony/humour.
We are badly served by a self important media who take the politicians at their own value, who are out of touch with Australia because, as I said, their view is extremely restricted by virtue of where they have stuffed their own heads. The self styled political commentators are becoming increasingly irrelevant – they are increasingly talking only to themselves and each other.

Interesting.

How long did you say Labor had pondered over "their" policies? You know, studied, thought, investigated, considered ramifications ....

At best, uninspiring; at worst, plagiarism. Costello should sue.

They rate a big, fat "F" from me.

What a pathetic performance - and I have voted both Labor and Coalition pretty much equally.

I certainly won't be holding my breath to receive their tax cuts.

I from the ALP never though much of Garrett he has no impact on the election.
He could best serve the ALP by not talking for 3 weeks sing man sing!
Hang on not about America ok?
Saints go marching in ok?

The article is interesting but it really downplays the serious consequences of what Mr Garrett said. Mr Rudd changes his position when it suits him so why not after the election. Whether Mr Rudd could get away with it with the electorate would be a problem for a later time

Garretts Gaff amounts to the usual socialist mantra

before the election

"Me-Too, Me-Too"

Should they win, after the election

"Now Screw You"

Garrett's gaffe is the defining moment of this campaign. It's the turning point.

It was followed on Sunday morning when Oakes asked Rudd, if Garrett's comment was a joke, (Rudd then approvingly agreed) but Oakes then asked ...'Where's the humour?'
Rudd was stumped by the simplicity and the logic. He didn't answer the question but fudged on about John Howard.

That performance was as bad as Garrett's original gaffe.

Since we've seen the Labor campaign in panic mode. With orchestrated appearances by Rudd.
An appearance in the fruit shop where John Howard had been a few hours earlier. The shop was owned by the family of one of his staffers. That was just so Rudd.
Tinkering at the edges with housing policy for the homeless. We all know most homeless are people with mental disabilities. They were once housed by state governments in institutions.
Then today his horse in the cup was scratched but after the race we all learned he'd picked and backed the winner. If it wasn't so pathetic I thought it was something organised by kids. I can see the coalition adds. 'What? He changed after the race!'

Since the weekend, Labor's advertising has gone more negative. Is their private polling telling them something?

I get the feeling the Labor campaign and it's supporters wish the election was this weekend. I think they've run out of puff.

The interest rates issue is being turned on them.

John Howard's been on the front foot and is looking positive, in the face of an, until now, horrible campaign.

Since Garrett's gaffe Howard has gotten all the momentum and it is going to be awfully hard for a now deadly boring and
increasingly ideasless Rudd to get it back.

The national polsters admit the gap has narrowed from 12 points to 6 in less than two weeks. Now that's stunning. Especially when most things went Kevin's, Wayne's and Nicola's way.

The worn told them they'd won. But I wouldn't put my faith in a creature that lives in an environment of rotting material and which f..ks itself.

Garrets been pretty quiet throughout this campaign.

Bit strange for a rabid enviro dont you think?

These people dont change thier spots so easily, should Labor win this pundit believes we will see a return of the beds are burning mantra of good ol midnight oil frontman Pete.

He'd have to be frothing at the bit to be let loose on the countries mining houses. Not a spectacular prospect for a country that relies on mining for its social largess.

One would wonder if Rudd has the goolies to hold such a creature by the reins.

Garret speaks the truth, no gaffe.

The Australian Government is thinking about setting up a 'consultation blog' to give the public a chance to comment on policy and proposed legislation.

If you'd like to help shape this blog then take this quick survey at

www.openforum.com.au/Survey

It's your chance to have your say and it could lead to something really worthwhille,

Thanks.

The comments here prove my theory that these things don't really have much influence.

Those who dislike Rudd will believe it was more than a joke. Those who don't, will dismiss it. Thus, in the big picture, it doesn't make much difference.

keith - no, it's not a turning point. You're placing much too much on a single campaign gaffe.

SCOTTY - uh huh. I'll add that to the rest of the empty extreme right rhetoric you're fond of spouting.