The trouble is we do know what the Coalition stands for in relation to industrial relations policy. It comes down to whether you believe Mr Abbott will stand firm on his promise, but for me the two words promise and politician don't often sit well together. While this is true of both the majors I cannot see a slide back to a Work Choices like model as a good thing for Australia. We also know they are big on Growth despite the current rhetoric, being far too influenced by the NSW Right on matters of economics.

With the GFC past, I cannot see any more spending debacles on the horizon, nor would I think the ALP would revisit bad policy.

Houlley
Richo's explanation of the Greens and the ETS is incorrect but I can see it would be an easy furphy to repeat over and over often enough until the general populace absorbed it.

The Greens could not possibly support an ETS that was highly flawed and was light on in regard to actually achieving the goal of reducing pollution from fossil fuels.

It is all very well and even tempting to go down the 'teach them a lesson' route, but this is a bit like cutting your nose to spite your face.

With the GFC past, I cannot see any more spending debacles on the horizon, nor would I think the ALP would revisit bad policy.

Pelican, I, along with many Austrlians hope you are right about that claim, however, I fear you are not.

It's fine to go off to work and get paid, whether you achieve your targets, or not, as many in todays workforce seem to do, and gloat about.

From a businessmans prospective, I see some very worrying signs.

I am sure we all agree that our destiny lies with those from our geater region, not just our own population and, with the costs associated with doing business getting somewhat out of control, including wages,fees, services and consumables, compared to our competitors, one has to wonder just how we are going to remain competetive, in a market that is becomming ultra competetive.

My fear is that as long as we continue calling on small to medium businesses to coff up more and more, while at most times cutting thier margins, the end result will not be pretty.

The recent pay rise is a prime example. Unions say staff have done it tough so need to be rewarded, meanwhile many owners have sold assetts to reduce debts, to reduce costs, to remain in business, but for what!

I am affraid it's all heading south, and fast!

If you don't believe me, simply ask just about anyone how safe they think thier job is and compare thier answer to three years ago.

I tend to agree with a previous poster. This gov is a joke, so, give another a go and vote them out after three years as well if they do no better.

After all, nobody, and I mean NOBODY could do any worse than what these incompitent fools have done! Could they?

rehctub:.. QLD in the past decade was the recipient of billions of dollars from both the propery and mining booms, YET WE ARE BROKE!<<

Sorry I missed your post earlier. The only positive thing I can say is that at least now I know N.S.W. is not alone in our pathetic governance, but we are still last in economic growth, that’s something I suppose. When is your next state election and will Labor get the boot? Ours is in March and they will.

rehctub the latest pay rise was for low income workers who can barely keep up with rising costs or hope to become home owners.

You seem to be concerned about increases for low wage earners but happy with the high wages of stock brokers and mining workers having used them as great examples of how Work Choices means higher wages for employees.

I do agree with you that small business needs less red tape but the worst example of it was when business was made responsible for collecting government tax in the form of GST - something that was introduced by a Liberal Government despite promises to the contrary.

Labor seems to be more resolved to improving infrastructure including a VFT linking major cities to regional areas and ports, the Libs have not made any such policy statements. No party has yet given a population target as part of the sustainable action plan or defined what that means.

I am not arguing that the ALP is perfect, I don't vote for either of the majors but obviously preferences make a difference. I do believe strongly that the ALP's current problems were down to Rudd's leadership style and disregard for Cabinet consultation - this problem has been removed whatever one might think about the method. I don't have a problem with it but I understand some might - but more is being made out of it for election mileage than based in fact.

Well Rechtub it depends upon how one is employed really in relation to a life led under Laboristics!

Labor's one draw card, and during previous terms, has been public service cuts and raising concepts, along the communistic lines, that may well again cost taxpayers wasted billions: I recall a great deal of wasted time money and effort spent on just one concept: the proposed identification card or some such thing?

By memory, during the last occasion Labor were elected under Keating, trade was sent down the gurgler, there were a great deal of enforced retirements, most contractors laid off for up to a year or more, a reduction in the lower level positions within the public service, the outcries in various states from public servants losing their jobs with no union. Not to be compared to a certified agreement. Communistic concepts suggested [wasnt there a rumour about an identification card or some such thing]bandied about?

This is Labor's pattern under a more ruthless leader: Contractors booted first, latest employed ousted second, long term loyal dedicated stressed out 53 years + [almost retirement age] informed to retire earlier, projects and sections joined [with new technology and the fast paced environments, stay tuned to hear of stress levels impacting upon public servants within your families or friends having breakdowns, the escalation of illnesses, more family breakdowns].

Initially, private enterprise jobs rose for the first 6 months, then took a dive; Private Enterprise IT Contractors hit hard. Public servants forced to seek private enterprise work over the next two year period; impacting upon the rest of Australians. When thousands of employees are affected with unemployment; whether it be the private or public service sectors; the Australian economy on the whole is greatly affected.

Lastly, the lower levels of the public service, who just took out their newly acquired mortgages under the Labor government's assisted 'First Home Loan Grant' are now faced with a bleak future, informing Mum Dad relatives and friends that they are going under, as a result of losing their new public service job.

Severe depression, suicide, murders rise.

I have worked in both private enterprise and the public service. Either party winning will not greatly impact upon my lifestyle. Over 20 years both parties admittedly have caused irreparable damage, particularly in relation to Australia's trade. Yet, with the Liberal Party, I can state factually, that Australia's deficit has been overturned after Labor's damage on each occasion, as a result of Labor's radical ill thought out concepts implemented hurriedly, high flying leaders who have spent millions on projects they have never followed through and not money spent 'wisely' on the three major essentials, Health, Crime and Education; some education concepts implemented excellent. Others room for improvement.

I have witnessed the dire outcomes of what radical Labor leaders [high flyers] have caused to families struggling financially.

I believe Julia will win the election given a few factors; the first being that she may well have called an early election while people are in a surprised frame of mind; a first female PM, the strategies used to ensure her foothold/emotional [siezing the right opportunity], before people are able to reflect further upon Labor's mistakes, and before people are able to have sufficient time to view her mistakes.

Another point is that if she were confident in her abilities and concepts to be accepted widely by Australians, why call an early election as opposed to playing it fair for Australians, introducing a few key concepts, implement those, and allow people to vote down the track, when not in such a hurried undecided state, given the past few weeks casting the previous Prime Minister aside.

Equivalent to emotional blackmail? Deceitfulness? Leading Australians astray? What is the term I am seeking