Dear Belly,

A contest between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott
is a poor way to try to win government and when
Labor has the likes of the big media, big business,
and big money lined up against them then it is hard
to get any message out.

To me Tony Abbott represent regressive ideas, imparted
by divisive scare tactics. Now he's attempting to
change his image. However, he's done nothing to establish his or
his party's economic credentials. He seems content to
coast on the public perception that the Coalition is more
competent at economic management than Labor.

As economic experts have pointed out to us:

The Coalition has had the fortune to hold office in good
economic times, especially from 1996 to 2007 when the
Howard government enjoyed the dividends of the Hawke-Keating
economic reforms and when the world economy was enjoying a
long speculative-driven boom. Yet the Howard government
neglected our asset base. If the Howard Cabinet had been the
board of a publicly listed company, the shareholders would
have thrown them out for weakening the company's asset base.
It's very easy to leave money in the kitty when very little
has been done over 11 years of the Howard Administration.

Take a look at what Jeff Kennett did in Victoria and what
NSW is like today.

Anyway, it shall be interesting what sort of a conversation
we'll be having in a few years time. And what our economy
will look like then and what sort of long-term planning
will be put in place. Whether repealing the carbon
price will come at a cost to the budget. Whether there will
be an end of the "Age of Entitlement," and whether as Joe
Hockey tries to tell us - the government will no longer be
able to afford the variety of middle-class welfare.

I imagine that all decision will be made in a very different
frame, especially if Joe Hockey is treasurer.

Interesting times ahead.

Dear Poirot,

I know Rudd was not literally knifed, and I know that Belly is not part of anyone's digestive tract. Nevertheless, the word 'knifed' implies there is something wrong in the way that Rudd was displaced. He was displaced by those who knew him well and had to work with him. If I had any say in the matter I would have got rid of him also. Outside of his reputation for mistreating subordinates and micromanaging he apparently lacked awareness of the environmental consequences of the 'big' Australia he advocated. He also originated the chaplaincy program in Queensland which Howard made a national affair. I will happily give preference to Labor over the Libs if Gillard still heads the party come election. It would be difficult for me to give such a preference if Rudd heads the party.

Well, David, I think it depends on one's point of view.

I'm supposing Mr Rudd considers it a "knifing"...after having successfully led Labor into government (with a bit of help from Howard & Co:)...I'm also supposing that if Gillard had been in Rudd's place in 2007, the win may not have been so resounding.

All conjecture, of course....as I said, a matter of perspective and opinion.

Sorry folks I know my memory is substantially flawed, but please, would somebody inform me why Mr Abbott needs to attend Court ? What's he allegedly done ? Except for being a politician of course.

Thank you.

While my theme, and wish, is to highlight the fact it is no easy task we are setting for the incoming government.
I think/thought my views about Labor ,repeating the events of the years 1972 till 1975 was clear.
We tend to remember the great achievements of that long gone government.
But as I did then, for some time, refuse to see the roll it played in its own removal.
We too could benefit, by knowing Big Mal, came in on a wave of joy, just as we sailed out on one of dispiar.
And the man who cryed on the night Bodgy Bob beat him, those GOLDEN TIERS! let his side down, more laughter came the night he lost his pants!
Nothing new here Lexi, the polls we lapped up with joy warning Howard he was gone, now telling of our doom we must execept them..
2 months after REALITY DAY, for us, and for the new government, others far more important than me, will eco my words, Labor will reform, or die, unions will consider the words wishes and thoughts of members
And only the truth can rebuild us, forget how bad you think Abbott is.
It will play only a small roll, the defeat may not be a landslide, but defeat it will be, and unnecessary too.
Abbott has committed to keep carbon tax welfare but dump the tax, no place in my posts have I said Abbott will be a good leader, his task is big.
And he by mid first term, if he is not replaced by then, will be considered a joke, on both sides of the house.

Dear o sung wu,

Regarding the reaons Mr Abbott has to go to court.
There's an article by Alan Austin in the "article
section," of this forum.

Have a read of it, including the comments section.
It may clarify things for you.