On the contrary Austin Powerless, the whole T/S episode, is a storm in a teacup.

Abbott talking up the down side , (using words like crisis), to describe the Govt's position in relation to this matter, will only see the Gov'ts actual position re the balance of power unchanged.

Abbott on the other hand is the worst thing that ever happened to Australian politics. Anything the Gov't has done is to be reversed according to him, leaving the voters in a sort of forwards backward land. Institutions like the NBN will be sold off too big business, just as Telstra was before it. Miners will be encouraged to consider the assets they mine as belonging to them instead of the Australian taxpayer. "There will be no tax on mining profits". Workers will be taught to consider themselves lucky to have a job , "any job" under new industrial laws. And so on and so forth. The environment at the behest of State Govt's. Campbell Newman getting his wish, to be the sole decider when it comes to the future of the Great Barrier Reef, the C/wealth wiping its hands responsibility for the outcomes.

Abbott has taken premeditated deception to new lows already, by taking a completely bogus set of economic figures to the electors at the last election (claiming falsely that they were audited), after refusing to allow Treasury access to them because he knew they were bogus.

Only Campbell Newman (the new cowboy from Qld) has surpassed this behaviour, by appointing Peter Costello to audit Qld's finances his primary job being to confirm that the previous Labor regime did not manage the economy very well. At least he (Costello) has got a job now.

Gillard makes the mistake of allowing Abbott to set the political agenda, and equally failing to get her own point across, her own agenda up. I can only put it down to an over reliance on focus groups or something that would already be focussed on Abbott's continual down talking of everything including the Australian economy, that is actually bouncing along quite well in truth.

Dear runner,

I really can't take you or Mr Abbott seriously.
You both -
seem to be suffering from Epistemophobia. Therefore its
not wonder you see eye-to-eye.

"Gillard makes the mistake of allowing Abbott to set the political agenda, and equally failing to get her own point across, her own agenda up. I can only put it down to an over reliance on focus groups or something that would already be focussed on Abbott's continual down talking of everything including the Australian economy, that is actually bouncing along quite well in truth"

Agree with Arjay / Thinker on alternative/Abbott/Libs not being up to the job; but we are stuck with a dichotomous division of the political spectrum, which for many years has served us well when clear lines of ideology were recognisable. But they are so intent of fighting for the radical centre that its very difficult now to distinguish these ideological lines. Nor are we well served by third parties (as blocks[greens] or independents) who have traditionally tempered this dichotomy with a voice of reason. Increasingly we are asked to decide who not to vote for [on the basis of superficiality] rather who we should we support on the basis of clearly stated policy. I see no change to this coming over the next 18 months.

Lexi

You may rightfully accuse me of a lack of knowledge but your sickening pride in claiming the high ground over a Rhodes scholar shows your desperation and blind link to the sisterhood.

Lexi,
The # factor that Labor can not govern competently is because it is so heavily academic.
That is an indisputable fact.
No matter how good/bad Abbott turns out to be he can not ever be as bad as Labor has been since big Goaf got in.

Rhodes scholar, Well it doesn't say much for the teachings of that institution does it, if Abbott is any example.
Foot in mouth disease, Verbal diarrhea,
An unprecedented situation is now in motion, any trumped up allegation can rob parliament, at any time.
Gillard is the most productive leader ever, and Tony has yet to win a round.