Belly,
You say Labor has done some good things in the last few years, well off the top of my head I can't think of any. If there is they are overshadowed by all the bad. That is their own fault. There are 50 plus 'Labpr Lemons' circulating and I fully intend to publicize them again before the election.

I find it amusing that you, and Lexi, continually downplay Abbott and as yet he has not been tried. It seems the Libs work more on the Cabinet style rather than the one man band that Labor uses. Rudd and Gillard were both untried and were duds. One big critisism I have of Labor is that they place too much faith in their choice of leader, and they fail if he/she does poor or stupid things, wheras the LIbs work more as a team. Arrogant Fraser was an exception. Turnbull tried the one man band thing but they turfted him.

Bit of water to go under the bridge yet before the election, but I have good expectations of it delivering a better government.

Dear Banjo,

I seem to recall that John Howard was anything
but a team player. And we don't need to wait
on Mr Abbott not being "tried" as you put it.
His record as Health Minister speaks for itself.
As does his regular past appearances on camera
and his comments on national television. It's
hard to look up to a leader who keeps his ear to
the ground - and will do whatever it takes to become the
PM. Personal ambition is not a necessarily a bad
thing - but Mr Abbott practises the bare-knuckles
kind. You may want him to represent you but we'll have
to wait and see if the rest of the country agrees
with you. Especially the people who currently have
Liberal governments in the states - and are experiencing
their policies first hand.

Banjo, no heat, maybe a sly grin!
But that is bought about by the confidence you can not for fill the task I set you.
List, other than financial matters and stopping the boats, issues I concede you have public opinion on your side.
Show me the Nation building things you mob have done, post ww2.
MINE!
With great pride! saying sorry, NDIS, NBN, pension rises unmatched by any past government, brilliant management of the GFC spotlighting health and education, the need for better.
Past includes so much,we opened our banks to competition, national parks Australia lead the world to China in the 1970,s.
Much more but my friend knowing your task is imposable I reduce the long lists at hand.

Belly,
Firstly, I am not a Lib. I just intend to vote that way this time and do what I also can to oust the present incompedents.

In my view there was no 'brilliant' management of the GFC. We got through simply because China kept strongly buying our iron ore, gas and coal. The money this government borrowed and spent on non productive items was wasted. No infastructure was built, we have nothing to show for the money. We could have had a rebuilt Pacific highway, for example. Nothing has changed in education and health, if you mean the Gonski report, it is 'pie in the sky' stuff and unfunded. Was not Rudd going to take over all the hospitals? Pension rises occurred under the previous government.

Now we get to the NBN, which is a disaster. There are massive cost blowouts, the latest estimate I saw was $90 Billion. then it is running badly behind schedule and very low take up by people. The ones that have are already whinging about the cost. Then we get to the NDIS. another unfunded 'pie in the sky'. All Gillard acheived with that was to raise unreal expectations of the disabled. With running costs about $8 billion per year, the only way that will come about is by a massive reduction in proposed services and/or many disabled persons will not qualify for the assistance.

Comon Belly this mob has done nothing except lie and deceive, and wasted billions. Even lied to Wilkie about your favourite, the pokies.

Banjo consider my post history.
Truly consider just what I have put in print here over the last 3 years.
Bit cranky at times but if I can target so much that is wrong about my party.
And focus on the faults of Union power brokers.
Do you think I would lie, to protect both or either?
I believe, without doubt,NBN NDIS Carbon tax, Gonsky report,saying sorry are out standing reforms.
Previous Labor government achievements include banking reforms,opening us up to the world.
Too that GFC was an achievement, as school rebuilding to keep us in work, gained more than it lost.
Banjo I KNOW we got some things wrong, a weak unfocused public service, let $900 checks go to dead people, folk living over seas who had not lived here for up to 20 years.
I know the pink bats scheme was a way of creating jobs, but that it while not being a total failure,was dreadful in the fact CRIMINALS, won much work.
But do you understand if Unions had a chance to look after safety no one would have died?
I think, with all my heart, Australians do not want to elect Abbott, but that they will, no matter what.
Because the faction fractured ALP is unable to see the world as its targeted people do.
ALP lacks the ability to sell its self.
Like 1975 the ALP seems focused on the injustice [rightfully] of a media uncaring about the blankness that is Abbott,and equally about the voters the ALP flogged out of its camp, and continues to do, with an unrealistic view Gillard is one tough lady, so was thatcher!
Between now and Labors return, I understand, Liberals will tighten our belts,they do that after every Labor government, I concede that.
And just maybe, believe me without true reform there will be no ALP, We on returning to government, will be one team with a focus, and built in to our new DNA, know we govern if at all, for most not just the *Aussie Battlers* who in reality have always voted conservative in any case.

Belly,
You said, "ALP lacks the ability to sell its self".

I disagree, the present ALP simply lacks ability.