Lexi,

The "atrocities" (expenditure cuts) by Jeff Kennett were the result of the previous labor government's incompetence in bringing the state to the point of bankruptcy. Which is pretty much the standard modus operandi of the ALP. If the ALP was so wonderful why did they get the boot?

Compared to the complete stuff ups of just about every labor government, I would take Kennett over Brumby any day.

As for the polls, they seemed to be right on the nail for the federal election and both recent state elections.

Considering that Juliar is the one likely to increase the cost of living and send jobs off shore with her taxes, the only reason your standard of living would drop under Abbott would be if you were one of the many public servants benefiting from Labor patronage.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You had to live in Victoria to experience the Kennett years. He almost single-handedly disabled essential services like hospitals, libraries, state rail systems, schools, while at the same time creating extremely) lucrative executive positions (CEO'S)in local and state government services for his friends and colleagues (old boy's
network). The fact that you would "take Kennett" over Brumby any day
does not surprise me at all.

The polls are "on the nail?" Really, let's wait and see on that one.
As far as I'm aware Tony Abbott did not win the last election, despite begging Tony Windsor and the other Independents to make him PM. That should tell you about the calibre of the man.

Myself and my entire family are (and always have been) in private business. Therefore my husband and I feel the differences in policies and their affects between the two political parties when it comes to our standard of living.

You ask me, "if the ALP was so wonderful why did they get the boot?"
There are a variety of reasons for the state losses in NSW and Victoria. One being their longevity in government.

Why did John Howard get the boot not only Federally but in his own Electorate as well?

BTW: A hypothetical. If the Libs win the next election, what are your
aspirations?

I should go away more often.
The thread turned out to be humorous individuals a close follower of Alan is he,
Hansen did not win,told you so unlike SM I put it on the line.
Ten after both Hansen and the one nation mob turned up at the right wing party of rabble rouser's we are told Hansen is not in one nation, bet we all knew that.
Tell you what, in the light of outcomes look again at this thread, if you do not get a kick out of it you should.
oh yes greens, look again mate the foolish NSW mob look bleak a waste in the lower house a single voice and no better in the upper house.
The Balmain toffs put a stop to their voice being heard.

Dear Belly,

Welcome back and I'm glad that you enjoyed this thread. I did as well.
It's been interesting. As I've written in the past - if the world consisted simply of some self evident reality that everyone perceived in exactly the same way, there might be no disagreement among observers. But the truth of the matter is that what we see is shaped by what our past experience has prepared us to see and by what we consciously or unconsciously want to see.

Knoweldge and belief about things (especially politics) does not exist in a vacuum. Each of us is inclined to perceive facts selectively and to interpret them accordingly. The tendency, often unconscious is to interpret facts according to one's own values.

In politics - a change of government does not necessarily mean that things will change. That's an illusion. The problems don't go away, and often the solutions are not that easy to apply either.
The same pressures exist as do the same vested interests with their incentives. Real changes need the right leadership, conviction, and courage - qualities that seem to be sadly lacking in today's political scene.

Lexi,

So the cost cutting exercise was hard on you? You prefer the free spending Labor party, and the short term benefits you get, over the long term financial stability of the liberals?

Belly, don't count your chickens yet, the counting of preferences is not yet complete, and from the last count it looks as though things are as you predicted.

Dear Shadow Minister,

I'm finding it very difficult trying to have a discussion with you.
Difficult because you're not arguing in a logical manner or sound reasoning. You're too dogmatic and you don't listen to the other person's opinion therefore you can be deemed pig-headed and should subsequently be ignored. Even a minor admission will not make you sound weak but rather a little less obstinate.

The Kennett Government's era is well documented in the state of Victoria for its services cut backs - the entire state suffered as a result. It's there on public record and the need for new infrastructure becomes more acute each year.

As an Editorial in The Age, Saturday, April 2, 2011, points out:

"Metropolitan Melbourne has swollen by more that 600,000 people in the past nine years, and if it continues to grow at the present rate it will overtake Sydney within 20 years. And the growth has been heaviest in the outer suburbs, where infrastructure is least developed. Australia's four fastest-growing municipalities in 2009-10 - Wyndham, Melton, Whittlesea and Cardinia - are all on Melbourne's fringe.

The scale of the problem may be daunting, but the Baillieu government does not have the option of ignoring it. It mus resist developers' demands for pushing the urban boundary out even further. It must not shrink from new investment in public transport, such as the regional rail link. This won't be cheap, but the costs, both human and financial incurred to invest would be worse."

Ted Baillieu's pledging to "save" (typical of the Libs) pales into insignificance when he cuts on necessary infrastructure and then spends the $50 million plus for the GrandPrix. Therein lies the problem SM.