the real issue
is that the two parties ...have the same adgenda

that rudd's....lol.. policy...
was howards policy..in toto

but howard lost...

yet ....we get the howard policy....!
delivered by rudd

get it yet?

No doubt the earth worshipers would of claimed it was a defeat for Abbott and his policies had their high priest Hamilton won. In actual fact the ABC was calling this a test of Abbotts leadership. They of course changed their tune when with sour faces they had to announce the liberals win. Quite incredible the increase in liberal vote considering all the cheering and endorsement of our 'balanced' broadcasters.

It is quite incredible observing the confusion that permeates the ABC.They have a collective view that the Gobal Corporates are against the CO2 taxes since this will limit their profits.They think that Abbott just is being a toady boy to them.

The reality is quite the opposite.The corporates want the the ETS since that then shifts all the burden to the consumer via taxes and their dervivative scams enable them to profit even more.The ABC are incapable of thinking outside the square.Their religious zealotry to this cause, will not allow them to see the light.

Perhaps the ABC can draw enough tangents to the sphere called Earth and make it appear flat.

Arjay, all

It only shifts the burden onto the consumer if the govt makes wholesale exemptions, free credits etc.
ETS as a concept results in the Price or carbon is unknown (controlled by the market) But the emission levels are known But, it must be on an international basis.
Carbon tax the price is set ($100 per ton , IPCC report) but here the the emission levels are unknown, and it must be universal. but will it work? suck it and see.
Like the in depth analysis show the devil in the ETS is in the detail and the carbon tax in its effectiveness.

Pete
I still say the test won't come untill an election in a marginal seat.

There was a slight swing away from the Liberals but it is hardly significant. Bradfield and Higgins are not litmus test seats although we will never really know for sure given Labor failed to stand a candidate.

It is only in the marginal seats that a result in a by-election would be significant. A seat like Eden-Monaro for example.

Although there was a huge swing to the Greens in Mayo, Downer's electorate in the Adelaide Hills. Has to beg the question of why on earth the ALP did not put forward a candidate in that by-election.

Anyone who knows the Adelaide Hills area well knows it is changing from it's upper middle class flavour to include more alternative and grass roots thinkers.

I think it's hard to call a swing to the Libs based on these results when there were no Labor candidates running.

But on the other hand, why weren't there any Labor candidates running. If Labor are in such a strong position, don't you think they would put candidates in to try to steal these seats?

By not running candidates, it seems to me Rudd was scared that perhaps his strong Labor position may not be as strong as everyone thinks.