(Cont'd>)
Case study: A worker was stealing from his employer, and was dismissed. The worker appealed, and though guilty of theft, was nonetheless found to have been 'unfairly' dismissed, and awarded damages. Was that a fair 'ruling'? (Pre- WorkChoices of course.)

WorkChoices was not perfect, but sought a middle ground, and flexibility for all, and the safeguards were there, in the legislation. It worked, was successful, but fell short of far left ideals. Fair Work Australia - failing left and right, workers and employers. The Pendulum swings.

Mining or Environment; Full employment or 'Ideal' employment for a portion; Viable small business or a legislated nightmare. Choices. There is a workable middle-ground in all things.

A 15% GST and a full return to WorkChoices under Tony Abbott? I don't think so. One thing is surely demonstrated by our Federal parliamentary history, and that is that the Liberal/Nationals are there for the long haul, not the short sharp reactionary 'strike while it's hot' modus operandi of the other side. Moderation - imperfect perhaps (you can't please everybody all of the time), but with a view to 'balance' and maintaining our international competitiveness. Without viable business, no-one has a job; if uncompetitive we have no investment, no development.

The days of 'Eureka' are passed, the future lies in compromise, in good-faith negotiation, and a 'fair go' for all. It's not a them and us, we're all in the same boat, and smooth sailing requires all to be rowing in the same direction.

Onthebeach, I am responding to your incredibly presumptuous comment:
"... you yourself are limited by family history and world views that were formed a long time ago and may not be applicable at all to modern times and recent events. So you have restricted your democratic choices to following habit and feeling disregarded and dissatisfied, not voting at all and lying to the Electoral Office to avoid a fine, or spoiling your vote".

I do not see myself limited in any way. Perhaps you should ask yourself that question. If you want real progress, generally, Labor is the party that historically have provided the impetus for change. Don't you remember the stagnating years under Menzies when Australia was a backwater? What makes you think I didn't vote? I have never missed out on a vote in my life since I was 18 so don't make sweeping lies and accusations about someone (me) you don't even know! It appears that you are the one STUCK well and truly on a treadmill of Liberal propoganda, like a hamster on a wheel. Move on, dear. There are millions of people in this country and around the world that do not agree with your views. Stop bullying, harrassing others and get over it!

Katie08,

Given that the largest and most sustained growth in real income and benefits for the lowest paid 25% of Australians occurred under Howard, I would suggest that your Social conscience is somewhat flawed. You sound more like one of those latte sipping greenies whose ideals are divorced from reality. These Greenie ideals if implemented would result in widespread poverty.

Katie08,

I said, "..you yourself are limited by family history and world views that were formed a long time ago and may not be applicable at all to modern times and recent events...".

In return you talk about Menzies.

You just don't get it do you?

You assume that anyone such as myself who questions must by definition be on the other side. The Australian people are telling federal Labor that they stink. Are they all misled?

Dear onthebeach,

Did you by any chance watch "60 Minutes,"
last might? I did. I watched Mr Abbott
trying desperately hard to convince the viewers
that he was a "changed man." He even had his
lesbian sister on the show to show us all how he
had changed. However, in the poll taken at the
end of the program - 65% of viewers did not believe
that Mr Abbott had changed at all. Are they misguided?

I think that many voters are totally disillusioned
with both major parties for a wide variety of reasons.

Lexi,

Great to have you back on board, you have been missed, and keep on keeping on. All the very best.

>I think that many voters are totally disillusioned
with both major parties for a wide variety of reasons.<

I think you're just so right. I can't see how any of us can have any real faith in the abilities of the current two-party line-ups, and the Greens have lost the plot and sort of blown themselves out of the water - not that they could ever have the numbers to be a real contender for government (nor should they in my view, given their rather specific and narrow agenda).

It is a pity we no longer have the likes of Don Chipp and the Australian Democrats to fill a middle ground and act as a viable moderating agent. It seems it may still be down to a few independents to fill this latter role, and to inject some needed guidance to whichever may be the dominant Party on behalf of the majority of ordinary Australians.

As for Tony Abbott, I think we have to look beyond the limitations of both current major Party leaders, and throw the dice towards the Party whose underlying doctrine is more likely to provide us with an effective way forward. We now have a reasonable understanding of the doctrine driving the current administration, and its vision for the future, and we have an understanding from history of the Liberal/National doctrine and approach towards development, industrial relations and economic management.

It is an each way bet, and I would not be at all surprised if we end up with another minority government in September (or whenever). For better or for worse, however, I sincerely hope it is not a minority led by Labor. Just my personal preference, and my hope would be that it would provide 3 years of stabilisation, with no radical deviations from a standard conservative, centrist, Liberal agenda.

In the meantime, I sincerely hope and trust we may be spared any silly last-ditch showers of socialist largesse from the current incumbents.