Kim Beazley was very likeable but suffered from the same condition of many modern politicians - poll driven ideology. Kim, although an intelligent man, did not present a solid platform or set of policies. What did the ALP stand for? We never knew. Kim would bend like the proverbial reeds in the pond over policy positions depending on which way the wind was blowing.

Funny how Mr Rudd has suddenly become a saint. Don't forget he was instrumental in knifing Beazley (along with Simon Crean) and then Latham. The trouble when there are so many knives out is the risk that you might also trip and fall on one of them.

At least Mark Latham was forthright and laid it all on the table whether you liked him or not, in the same way that one always knew where Cheryl Kernot stood despite her latter poor choices. Even Katter and Joyce provide a bit of colour and at least there is no mystery to their beliefs, love them or loathe them. I like a bit of colour in my politicians, at least you can see them.

While the government's track record could be called woeful in places, the current Opposition is a sham. The public are not fools and one would think the hung parliament outcome of the last election would invite some reflection.

The schoolyard opposing-everything style of electioneering is not indicative of strong policy, there is nothing for the public to get is grip on unless one calls pork barrelling middle class income policy a form of ideology. The tape about Abbott's recommendation for a carbon price exposed the shallowness of our current opposition.

The only support this type of electioneering fosters is already die hard Coalition supporters. The disillusioned remain so, and like lemmings the politicians keep heading towards the precipice.

'unless one calls pork barrelling middle class income policy a form of ideology.'

You mean it's not? Hmm.

pelican I really don't understand why people are so obsessed with the opposition. Why aren't people interested in the party that's actually governing. It;s really bizarre. You leftys have your team in pole position, but are still living like you're the underdog.

Maybe the Labor party hasn't realised it is actually governing, and is taking queues from Mr Rabbit on what to say and do.

I find it inexplicable the most common thing comming out of a Labor supporters mouth is lamenting about the standard of the opposition as if that's at all relevent.

As Peter Garret once said, 'We'll just change it all when we get in government'. It was the most truthful thing any politician has ever said. It highlights why, to me, there is no such thing as an opposition. They aren't important, they aren't responsible for giving any alternative policy, and if they did the governmnet would just steal the good ideas anyway.

The opposition's job is to obstruct the governmnet at every turn, the government's job is to govern and ignore them.

I'll spell that out again...

The opposition's job is to obstruct the governmnet at every turn, the government's job is to govern and ignore them.

The Labor party is 100% at fault for the quality of the opposition.

100%. It's a total red herring this aww but Mr Rabbit wont let us govern.

This government the weakest government in history because it spends it's whole time arguing with Mr Rabbit and not governing or even bothering to sell any of their policies. What a ruse!

They're not fooling anyone.
I remember the Rodent barely acknowledged the opposition even existed. They'd come up with some criticism about one of his policies and he'd just ignore them. He seemed to have his eye on the ball, and seemed to be attempting to govern. Not like this mob.

Houlie I had to edit my post,know you liked Kim said so, others thought that of him.
Shorten, I have had a great deal of contact with him, and Paul Howe's.
The AWU has been my life time union, first as co delegate in 1963.
Try to find the words of both filed in the AWU national web site.
Shorten is no phantom, he is first grade, Combet and heaps Gillard is not letting fly do too.
Bill Shorten,like ANY LEADING POLLY has an ego, they must have.
Both he and Howe's are in all probability unhappy with my actions ,in the way I left and my putting my views.
But any union official, any worth while,should not stand for DREADFUL bosses, mine was one will be till he is removed So proud to have walked away.
Labor is not dead, it must stop being a burial ground for failed unionists,Friends of Friends, useless time servers, and it must get more in touch.
Labor must think policy's out then implement,it must understand making policy's to appease the greens cost us votes.
And LABOR must not think Abbott will always be there to save us, he is a dead man walking.
Yes but for a so called CONSERVATION party we would have an ETS.

Kim Beazley might have been smart, but he hid it well. His attempt at continuous negativity similar to Tony Abbotts and Kevin Rudd's was unfocussed and he lost all credibility, which is why he got the axe.

Each labor opposition leader provided continuous opposition just like Tony Abbott is doing, just not as well. Tony Abbott makes sense to the majority, where Juliar does not.

Houlley
How did my words portray any satisfaction with the current government?
The government is playing into the Opposition's hands and histrionics on both sides aren't cutting it for most voters.

This is nothing to do with Lefties or Righties, not everything can be perceived through this narrow prism.

How do you think the Opposition is handling the Carbon Tax issue?

Pelican "How do you think the Opposition is handling the Carbon Tax issue?"

How it handles it inopposition is irrelevant

How it will handle it once in power, is simple

the "carbon tax" fiasco will be a dead duck... as expired as Julias political career and as high on the nose as Windsor and Upshott, two men already perceived as "Dead Men Walking". And the Greens lust for power will like Bob BRown, a small, sad, nonevent.

Howard skillfully avoided the stupidity of Carbon tax and the fraud inherent in "emmissions trading".

In summary, the liberal / coalition proved, in the decade they ran this country, that they have the capability to govern

Krudd, Julia and the rest of the power crazed wannabes have spent 4 years proving they cannot