Flo I am unaware if you are a green my other two companions here are.
As is the case with you, I have opinions.
But my predictions are not opinions, do any of us base a prediction on our personal opinions?
Can any green care about who leads Labor.
Bill Shorten is no blow in he has been called the Prime Minister in waiting for a decade maybe more, thinker 2 make your self aware of him before discounting him.
Flo Your pro Gillard comment is acceptable to me, I disagree, unfortunately I do so based on understanding and concern for my party.
Others,too many others,who should be Labor voters , just will not vote for her, some of those are hiding in the greens tents.
I make this challenge, tell us here,each of my 3 companions, how wrong I am,tell me who you think will lead each party at Christmas 2011?
Remember the part played by Bill Shorten and Paul Howes in[ for the benefit of the ALP] removing Rudd.
Understand the thought of my party EVER censuring Shorten is zero, he is the leader we are waiting for.

I am aware of Shorten and have been for some time Belly and I too like Flo see Combet as a better bet for the future among the Union talent coming through.

I'm not Green till I vote that way Belly, I would most accurately describe myself as dis-affected Labor voter, if the truth be known.

But Abbott, would be a disaster as PM, there is know doubt about that Belly

No, I am not a Green voter. I have voted Labor for most of my life. I sadly admit for a couple of years I voted DLP till I opened my eyes. I was during my working life active in the union movement.
I am among the very few that does not believe Labor has lost its way, policy wise. Since the days of Hawke and possibly before that, Labor has had the gumption to do what is right for the country. This has confused many older Labor voters. Labor is the one party, I believe that is not blinded by ideology.
What Labor has lost is it ability to get its message across by word of mouth. In the past, this was done through unions in the manufacturing and construction industries through the union movement. Modern day lifestyle does not lead to people belonging to groups or the party. Some of this is Labor's fault when in the 90's they stopped listening to the grass-root members and seen them only good for passing out how to vote cards.
In the past, the ability to get the message out worked also in reverse, members were able to give feedback on policies. This was a better system than the focus groups, also much cheaper.
Labor has to find a way to once again have personal relationships with those who support them. Otherwise the present situation will continue, where the supporters are getting all their information through the MSM

"Understand the thought of my party EVER censuring Shorten is zero, he is the leader we are waiting for"

Sorry belly he is not the leader I am waiting for. I believe what you say is true, that he assisted to get PM Gillard into power. If your comments are true, he only did this for his own advantage. Sorry Belly, I expected leaders to have some loyalty to the party and it's members.

Flo then you and I share a great deal.
65 nearly 66 years of age I only ever voted ALP, until next month.
I came from union back ground to be an official, while retired am union till death.
I too am not unhappy with Labors direction .
BUT never defend our wrongs! never except failures that betray our history.
Rudd /Gillard let us down badly.
We if they did not dump policy's change directions and run in fear at the 24 hours news cycle be in government on our own now.
Had a trading scheme for carbon, much more.
We owe it to our party to remember these things.
We too must understand some,will never again vote for us, ever,because we did not keep our promises.
Flo it is not you and me who will return us in an election.
We MUST win back those we drove away.
If you serve the party, I do, serve it totally, NEVER EXCEPT FAILURE.
You have slanted views on Shorten, as a leader in my faction the right, he is subject to slanders from the very left.
He unlike Gillard will never switch his faction.
The truth is I know events will put him in charge Gillard is better than Abbott but she CAN NEVER WIN AN ELECTION.
She has won a victory over night an historic one, but she had to be flogged on to her feet after knowing the party was unhappy.
Tell me, in two years, how wrong I was about Bill Shorten, but look closely at our polling tell me we should change nothing.
Party first? yes, very much so and if the direction is down hill?
No crime in wanting better.

Everywhere I go there is evidence of new roads being built. Many of our roads are being upgraded.
What iYes we should change plenty but I do believe the parties basic policy still worthwhile.
The government must have the courage to ignore the polls and concentrate on what is the right thing to do.
The party must find its way back to its grass-roots, this is imperative but will be difficult to do. The last thing that Labor needs at this time is a show pony.
Some in the Labor Party did not make PM Gillard's task any easier.
The Opposition with its negativity has created the belief that Labor, both Federal and State are hopeless. The facts when examined closely do not support this.
I live in NSW, where Labor is highly on the nose. It is easy to say that health, transport and education among other things is bad. My experience of dealing with hospitals, among the worse on the Central Coast has been exceptionally good.s a health problem where I live is the number of doctors who bulk bill, and provide a service out of hours. It is annoying to have to make an appointment days ahead to see a gp. The cause of this situation is more the actions of the Howard government than Labor. I have had my teeth attended to with no waiting time. I have had to wait three months for a new denture, only because I have a cleft palate and the private dentist was reluctant to make one.
My experience with schools through my grandchildren amazes me with the standard of teaching they receive.
Yes the new trains have yet to appear, but they run mostly on time and cleaner than in the past. What is important for me is the number of stations that now have elevator access to the stations. There is massive upgrading of stations all along the south west line. My gripe is with the private buses I have to rely on.
The state still has it high triple A endorsement.
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