The thread leaves room to revisit last years Federal election.
Many claim a mandate for Abbott, and that he defeated the ALP.
I think this is not true, the ALP clearly defeated it self.
Voters started to turn on Labor just before the 2010 election.
And we never stopped bleeding them away.
So Abbott and his faction, the right of right within the Liberal party went in to Government.
Wrongly thinking it was his policy's, all off them, that put him in power.
Abbott is the very best opposition leader, against his own Government, we ever had.
Polling is remarkable, surely only few of us thought the Mad Monk would not win a honeymoon?
I believe and have often said so Abbott will not serve out his first term as Liberal leader.
Should we have a few by elections, let them please be in coalition held seats, to test my view the Australian voter is concerned about the man and his policy's.

It should be remembered that Liberal Prime Ministers have a long history of lying to the Australian people. Starting pre war with 'Pig Iron' Bob Menzies lying about the Japanese. Then Holt, Gorton and McMahon lied to the people about the Vietnam War. This was followed by Frazers and lies about supply. Howard was a past master at lying, lied about everything, children overboard for one. Abbott is merely following in his predecessors footsteps when it comes to lying about workers, asylum seekers etc. Abbott may well prove to be the biggest lying Liberal Party Prime Minister ever, and that will take some doing as many have been guilty of telling some real woppers!

Who can forget Juliar's "there will never be a carbon tax under the government I lead" and other great lies, or Krudd who never made and election promise he didn't break.

Whatever you claim about Liberal dishonesty, the ALP out does it 100 fold every time.

Belly,

You are right, Labor lost the election because of its chronic incompetence and dishonesty, and has lost the trust of the voters.

Abbott has already met one of the 3 main election promises to stop the boats, which is one more than Labor achieved in 6 years.

O sung wu,
Out manufacturing began to slide when the Whitlam government drasticly reduced tariffs and this has continued ever since. Few Aus manufactured products can now be obtained. Remember Letona, another previous make of canned fruit, now gone.

Belly,
what is this obsession you have with Abbott, you cannot write a post without commenting about him. I am not sure if it is just your obsession alone or a hang up of Labor that they place so much emphasis on the party leader. A leader is not the only party member and all members play a part in their policies. It seems Labor must have a messiah to lead and nobody else counts.

I feel sorry for you as Labor candidates still do not learn. On the eve of a by election the Labor candidate for Griffith said, "Labor has such a proud history of welcoming immigration, of opening our borders and encouraging people of all cultures to come her and that’s something I’m proud of".

After labor lost the last election basically on this issue, you would think she would keep her trap shut. Who instructs the candidates?

Dear SteeleRedux,

I'm glad that you found the link I gave of some use.
I'm going to be taking a break from this forum for
a while for personal reasons. I may be back (or not),
however I wish you every success in continuing to provide
intelligent discussions. The forum needs more contributors
of your ilk.

Take care.

Take care Foxy, I'm sure we all wish you the very best, and will very much look forward to your return in due course.
Should you decide not to return, your balanced and caring contributions will be sorely missed.
God speed, and keep well.

Peter.