"Wasn't the term "non-core promise" coined to describe John Howard's habit of regularly acting contrary to promises he'd made over several election campaigns?"

Exactly CJ
Not only that it was Howard that said it. He admitted it as if it was something to be proud of. I wonder what SM said back then?

Stop press.

She's done it again!

She would sell her sole for just one vote.

If ever you are thinking of voting Labor again, you'll have to check out the policies of every other candidate.

It's their policies you are likely to get, no matter how bizarre, not Labour's, if little Julie has anything to do with it.

AGIR I surmise that all of this is known to you, but most Labor supporters I know do not know about the Fabians.

"The Fabian Society is the University of Sydney branch of Australia's oldest left-leaning political think tank which promotes debate about progressive political ideas and public policy reform. Former Prime Ministers, Gough Whitlam, Paul Keating, and Bob Hawke, have all featured as prominent members of the Fabian Society.

The USU Fabian Society is funded by the University of Sydney Union, the oldest and largest student organisation in Australia, which was founded as a university debating society in 1874. From this beginning, USU has grown in strength and scope to promote leadership and intellectual challenge outside the classroom. More than 200 registered clubs and societies are funded and supported by the USU."

and their opposite number:

"The Sydney University Liberal Club (SULC) was established in 1933. The Club engages in policy debates, meetings with MPs and campaigns in student elections to spread the Liberal message, and puts out a biannual magazine entitled Libertas. Many present and former MPs have come through the club, including the former Prime Minister, John Howard."

Al I went to Sydney in the eighties and I went to both clubs semi regularly. The Fabies were idealist dreamers who I always took with a grain of salt excepting their ongoing policy of youth indoctrination that I found a bit Joseph Goebbels like. The Libs were more like a junior Jaycees with little innovative policy discussion and no global socialist policy import that the young socialists adopted without question, the Libs were a rather a status quo seeking corium.

I am not left or right but gold is gold and sheet is sheet and the ability to recognize and vocalize that while identifying spin for spin "was" an endearing trait of the Aussie. Looking back I am not shocked that the reality void Labor leadership failed so miserably, they were faction filled at uni. The Libs were just all the same faction, uninspiring and cautious.

That is what consultation is all about Hasbeen, not taking the high ground but listening to what others have to offer. Gillard could not win with you either way let's be honest.

As opposed to the Coalition's debacale over huge gaps in the costings of their policies - how are they going to explain that one and how do your values differ when it is the Coalition playing silly buggers.

Neither major party is pure as the driven snow, and it is easy to make excuses for exactly the same behaviour in your 'friend' that you despise in your opponent.

Hasbeen: << She would sell her sole for just one vote. >>

Quite possibly, but overall I'm rather hoping she doesn't flounder.

The alternative's a flake :D

<<She would sell her sole for just one vote.>>

I would of voted for her if I knew she was handing out fish. :P