Belly and I disagree on the benefit of Australia's Worst Union and his Messianic adoration of Little Bill.

I also laugh at the idea the ALP is up to it's knees, or armpits, in talent.

Frankly, I see very little 'talent' on offer in any parliament at the moment, but of course, maybe if one takes a relative view on them all, then maybe, relatively, Little Billy is a bigger man after all.

I would like to see an interest in what policies our politicians create or support rather than a single focus on their personalities, which is all we get.

Given the silence from within the ALP on the now totally failed 'Baptist reffo final solution' there seems to be not much ability to think or critique policies the leadership cooks up.

I heard Doug Cameron voice a modest concern, ages ago. I've heard Anna Burke speak explicitly about her concerns and today I heard Stephen Jones state fairly clearly his concerns. Three out of how many?

And the other side is even worse.

I doubt Little Billy is an answer to anything too much, but whether he'd be any worse than Rudd, Beazley, Crean, Gillard, or the more successful Hawke and Keating, who knows?

It sure wouldn't matter if the present Labor party was up to the armpits in talent, they'd soon bury it.

Now the ABC have picked up the Beattie for PM chant. There must be something happening down there in the deep mud, or auntie's lot would not be talking about it.

I will not be the least surprised to see Labor go for Beattie, it would be typical. They went with Julia because they believed the womans vote would help them, & it did, not because of any ability they thought she had. Worked to, just!

Beattie on the other hand is a known catastrophe. Only he, & his anointed replacement Anna could get Queensland into such a mess, during a mining boom, so no thinking person would want him as PM. However, he has buffooned his way to electoral victory, which is all that counts with them.

I was hopeful that it couldn't get any worse, but you know, perhaps it can.

TBC you pulled the chain so cop it sweet.
The AWU got its nick name from the idiotic left wing unions.
It is mild to some of the insults one crime organization posing as a construction union hurled at me.
Including death threats.
I have seen a demented official, it helps in that team, screaming at a male manager of an international firm, he would bash and rape him.
I despise such filth, and that word, SOLIDARITY, it hides the crime that is harming all unions.
Such unions should be destroyed. I did my bit, won every round, my delegates on exit, and lots of members are refugees from that group.
Now you, from left of me, will not favor a right wing power broker, my memory's of the Left at Labor conferences is of fowls at one end of the room calling each other comrade and trying to look like they could not all fit in to a phone box.
Bill Shorten needs no lefty support he like me wants nothing to do with that lost tribe.

"ALP up to its chin in talent? They hide it well."

They do tend to have a better range of pollies who can speak well without a cringe factor than the Liberals but articulate speaking does not necessarily equate to good policy (or a controlled budget).

Beattie, anyone wondering about the opportunities he might bring should spend some time reading up on the standards of the government he lead.

They could also check into the history of the section of the criminal code which allowed politicians who deceived parliament to be prosecuted, section 57 I think.

They could have a look at the way government owned utilities were run while Beattie was premier and the cost to Queensland of that.

The Bligh government has been remarkably poor but the foundations for that were well and truly laid on Beattie's watch.

R0bert

Even the more balanced Conservatives have got on the band wagon, Labor is not the dark hole you blokes pretend
But some thing is wrong.
Bill Shorten seems to be harnessed, or not in touch as much as once.
His piece in the Herald Sun today says to me he can not/or will not be looking for leadership.
Some one must/and will perception is every thing.
I have said before I am no Gillard fan,she has flopped from day one.
A pride seems to rule her, she NEVER truly explained, said sorry but things changed, she gave life to the lie story, by being too proud to explain.
Eat our humble pie, deal with conservatives on boat people, bring back Rudd.
A MAN NOW CHASTENED BY HIS FALL.

Having given it the benefit of my critical appraisal, I've come to the conclusion that the ALP are definitely up to their armpits in something!

(and it aint talent)