When you look at the support that the now 'PM' gave the former 'PM', right up until the time he fell from grace, one has to wonder why we bother having key persons in place, costing the tax payer millions, when in reality, they don't appear to have an objective opinion, well, at least one that counts.

Now I am not suggesting that the libs are a better alternative, but, can we really trust this new PM considering she show no signs of 'rocking the boat' while holding the title of deputy PM, yet, she is changing most things that caused the demise of the former PM now that she holds that office.

rehctub, it makes you wonder just how autocratic our supposed democratic system really is, when the deputy PM can become PM and quickly make big policy changes.

She was a primary person in the development of all of Rudd's terrible policies that she nows feels the need to significantly modify.

In fact, it appears that the difference between the Rudd and Gillard governments is going to be bigger than the difference between the Howard and Rudd regimes or between Liberal and Labor policy positions going back many years!

The nature of our system suggests that the PM cannot just make unilateral decisions but has to get them supported by the party politic. But the Rudd demise and Gillard ascension certainly suggests otherwise.

The other alternative is that those key decisionmakers in the Rudd government weren't key decisionmakers at all but rather, they were unprincipled people who were determined to stay in favour with a very popular PM in order to keep their jobs and look forward to a prosperous future within the party.

I don't know how we can get around this sort of situation. But I doubt that it would make any difference at all if there was no formal deputy PM.

As for Gillard's credibility, it has got to be under a big cloud. But now she's got the chance to show her true colours. And so far I like what I see....although anyone would have to be better than Rudd!

So why are the labor lovers not contributing to this thread.

Could it be that they simply have no defence of their beloved labor party and madam PM.