http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/disorder-as-rob-oakeshott-bids-to-run-house/story-fn59niix-1225924344538

If Rob Oakeshott had taken the cabinet position, he would at least have had the choice of exercising his independence on matters outside his portfolio. This simply frees up a Labor MP to vote as JG instructs.

For an extra 100 000 pieces of silver RO is simply prostituting his vote, and is giving up any claim what so ever to being independent.

Dear SM

You would never made the above claims had Rob Oakeshott sided with the Libs.

I have been troubled since Nick Minchin repeatedly said that Labor needs to be destroyed. Has the Liberal Party no shame?

In fact, could you please explain to Tony Abbott that the dust has settled on the last Federal election and that his job is form an effective opposition with which to ensure the best interests of Australia.

For example, NBN - we do need, especially our rural areas, fast info technology able to cope with any new software developments, this optic fibre can do being the speed of light and having massive carrying capacity. Rather than setting out to destroy Labor's proposal here's a novel idea; prepare a comprehensive, step by step implementation proposal that will be better than Labor's - it may well be cheaper, not inadequate and better.

Stating things like "destroying Labor" or "destroying the NBN" does not act in the interests of Australians, just political egos.

Same for water resources. Much cheaper to set up storm storage capabilities than building saline processing plants.

Invest in our skills - make tertiary education, be it technical or university, available to people of all levels of income, so that people do not emerge with a massive debt at the beginning of their working lives. Let those who can afford pay. Let those with talent be educated.

Oh, here's another thought how about the Libs work with Labor, the Greens and the independents not for personal gain but of all Australians?

Dear Severin,

I couldn't agree with you more.

Well said!

I simply cannot believe the comments coming
from Tony Abbott and members of the Coalition.
Destroy Labor, destroy Broadband, destroy,
destroy, destroy... everything despite the
fact that it may be good for the nation!

It reminds me of spoilt petulant children
who will go out of their way to wreck everything
if they don't get their own way.

If they keep behaving in this way, they will
lose all credibility as a political party.
Who in their mind would vote for a party that
is intent on wrecking rather than considering
what's good for the nation.

As you rightly said - have they no shame?
And of course if Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor
had sided with the Coalition - this thread would
not exist.

Yes it is a shame, but the shame belongs entirely
to Tony Abbott and his party of bad losers - defeat
is not something they do well.

Labor is a "glass half full" political party.
Libs - think they own the glass!

They will learn the hard way - just ask Malcolm Fraser.

I too am disturbed by the battle talk and rhetoric from the opposition. I'm worried that our voters will fall for it again like they did during the election campaign. The Coalition increased their vote by about 1 percent or so at the election, so you only have to influence a tiny, tiny percentage of the population. If at the next election the coalition can influence, via battle rhetoric, just 50,000 or so more people, then our next prime minister could be Tony Abbott.

For the coalition it's not about correctly costed and good policy, it's about attack, destroy, rhetoric and humiliation and it's often delivered on a personal level.

Normally I would think such behaviour would work against a political party, but I'm not so sure now. That small percentage of voters fell for it hook, line and sinker at the last election.

Rob Oakeshott is putting his money where his mouth is because he says there should be an independent Speaker.

Unfortunately, it is not atypical of his generation that he puts a premium on his personal claims, while discounting the knowledge of the rules and operation of the Parliament and the long-term respect from both sides that is usually expected of a Speaker.

Rob Oakeshott is ill-advised to take on the role, which is tough enough normallly but nigh impossible where the opposition will be (unfairly) baying for his blood.

Dear Jockey,

I think the fast majority of voters were
disillusioned with both parties - the swing
to the Greens, especially in Melbourne was
very large. I don't think many people really
want Tony Abbott as PM. And as Labor has admitted -
they didn't explain their wins and their achievements,
and their policies enough - prior to the election.

However, I must confess that I watched the interview
with Downer (former Libs Foreign Minister,)
on Lateline last night and I was impressed. He's no
longer in politics and for the first time we got to
see the "real" man, instead of the party hack.
Downer was fair, and his assessment of Kevin Rudd
was totally commendable. He told Lateline that we
should get behind Mr Rudd - who's now this country's
Foreign Minister - and we should support him as he
represents all of our interests overseas. He said
that we should draw a line on the past - and back
Rudd's position today. It's a shame his colleagues
can't take a page out of Downer's book - or is that
the way the Coalition plays the game - when they're
in office? A pity - because if we could see the "real"
people - they just may appear more credible.
Nobody likes people who only condemn and attack - but
offer no better alternatives.