http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/fury-as-labor-backs-farmers-20101020-16ucr.html

In order to placate its green voters prior to the election, Labor promised to implement the recommendations of the Murray Darling basin authority. At the first sign of organised resistance from the farmers, Julia Gillard's team folds.

Does Labor stand for anything? It should simply promise to do whatever the polls of the day say are the most popular.

As for the mining tax, it looks as though Julia Gillard is about to break her word with the miners as well.

No one knew what was going to be in the authorities recomendations.
Water savings need to come from a wider perspective.

No backflip has happened regarding the Murray Darling Basin Plan. What are you talking about? There's been no "folding" in relation to the Murray Darling Basin Plan. Labor made a commitment to implement the recommendations, which will be written and finalised after the extensive consultation with all parties concerned. The current suggestions in the plan are just that "suggestions, a starting point for the lengthy and complex consultative process. Labor is sticking to their commitments. No backflip/no folding.

It's a great idea that Tony Burke is prepared to canvass the amendment of the Water Act, should those agreed Basin Plan recommendations, when they are finalised, be in jeopardy because of legal technicalities. The farmer lobby supports him with this, as they should, because it's in their interests.

This issue is a great example of Labor honouring it's election commitments IN FULL

SHADOW.... Julia Gillard is a member of the Fabian Socialists.

You should expect nothing LESS from one.

Remember where they got their name ? From Quintus Fabius Maximus who adopted the 'no head on conflict' approach .. nay..he used the 'deprive the enemy of resources, harrass him.. deceive him." method

Shadow Minister:"Does Labor stand for anything?"

Of course it does - it stands for ensuring that old union leaders have somewhere to go when their members wake up to them...

Oh dear, how sad and empty as an attempt to abuse Gillard, "SHADOW.... Julia Gillard is a member of the Fabian Socialists".

Even these fearful silver-haired gradualists would be ashamed to house Gillard these days, and her claims to be a Fabian are about as believable as her claims to be an atheist.

She is a shocker of a PM, to be sure, and does not deserve to last a single day in the job, but the alternative with Cardinal Abbott and his gang of Bishops in danger of being let loose in government are even more dreadful a prospect.

Antiseptic does have a good point. The Senate is a dumping ground for generally dull-as-ditchwater union hacks, with a few lonely exceptions of course, but even the green-leather lounge is full of deadheads, gathered up via the career path of 'staffers' and 'ministerial advisors'.

But, let's be fair here.

It's not as if we could look over to the Coalition and see a host of bright-sparks waiting to take control, is it?

Sadly, the political system attracts these sort of people, and we all keep electing them instead of standing and putting forward the 'real' way forward.

Given the sniping we engage in here, I really see no difference between 'us' and 'them'.

Pathetic, isn't it?