Dear Corflower,

I agree with much of what you've posted.
However, for me there doesn't seem to
be much of a choice. I don't want Tony
Abbott as PM so the only alternative
that I can see is Julia Gillard.

Belly >>>ah rechtub you seem to have an insight into blind Freddy's movements, a close relation by any chance?

What's this, no 'labor by increased majority' this time.

What's up old mate, lost your confidence!

Foxy

It is not about the leaders. The machine men and media would have it that way because images/stereotypes are easier to mount or demolish. It is about the most suitable team and policies to govern.

Objectively, I would find it hard to make a business case for swapping the team at the top at the present time. The biggest problem, the GFC, was handled well and that was resource intensive for all of the management group (ie ministers). Then there was the deliberate blocking, obstructionism and general time wasting by the Senate. The government should be given another term to adjust and implement its program - not only because of the GFC, but realistically, what government can actually get much of what its platform on the ground in one term?

My other argument is that the opposition's team of shadow ministers is not yet anywhere near adequate to the task of taking over and they could drop the ball. That set-back would be very unfortunate at the present time when the GFC is not yet over and Australia has other balls in the air. Just put some of the shadow ministers into their portfolios for a test, for example, Joe Hockey. That is a joke, right?

There are criticisms of the government's performance and fair enough too, although it did get some blame that was more down to well-known systemic corruption in the building industry.

However if I was talking about the management team for a major enterprise I would be very firm that the present team achieved their most critical task admirably well and no doubt learned from their lesser, mainly administrative, mistakes.

Should I shelve all of that expertise and hard-won learning for a completely different, untried team? Hell no, that just doesn't make sense. I'd probably be ushering off the opposing team with an admonition to turn their attention to developing a realistic alternative, not just a cobbled together mish-mash of old and new hopefuls who haven't really done anything to present a viable option.

Dear Cornflower,

I fully agree with everything you've said.
You've said it much better than I could have.
The current government certainly deserves
another term in office. No argument from me.

That is quite persuasive cornflower.

But I cant resist penalising the government. I have a new policy of voting out all governments after 1 term. I think it's the only way we as a populace can gain some respect.

Also, you may not live in NSW, but I feel federal Labor are showing the signs that NSW voters are kicking themselves they didn't see in NSW Labor before it's too late. You really have to nip these shenanigans in the bud.

I think, regardless of the alternitive, and the waste, Federal Labor needs a term on the sidelines.

The depth of talent in the two parties is at a low, and the only way to build depth is to give all the players more match time. Otherwise you will have another arrogant incumbent government and shambles opposition for 10 years like we did when the rodent was in power.

Dear Houellie,

Why not have mini-nations instead of states; a
continent without federal parliament, without
social welfare, public health or education, without
any co-ordination of trade or economic policies.
Give business the right to get whatever it wants.
After all that's the New Right vision for a future
Australia. It sounds like that's what you believe.

I don't. Neither, thankfully, does the current PM.