SM, none of us have a crystal ball, the Abbott government will stand or fall, based on their own performance. In my view the Labor opposition has two functions, one, highlight the governments failing and secondly offer an alternative policy/view, through rational parliamentary debate.
Its the media's job to articulate that debate to the Australian people. In many respects the media often fail to carry that debate adequately, they would much prefer to concentrate on the sensational and the titillating which as they say "sells newspapers".
Both sides of politics seem more interested in the 6 o'clock grab on the TV than the job they should be doing. One of the big failings of both Labor and the Coalition has been their belief that there is no need to develop long term policy in opposition, much preferring to develop a bit of throw away policy close to the election, which on obtaining government one can modify, abandon, or what ever as circumstance dictates. I'm not saying governments don't need to be flexible and capable of adapting to prevailing circumstance, they do. Often where the problem lays is not with the politicians but with the bureaucratic system, as Rudd found out with the GFC and how difficult it was to get a quick positive response from the bureaucrats.
I must say, I don't think Abbott as PM, or Shorten as Opp leader, neither have been screaming successes so far. They are both lucky there was no 3 month probation period with the jobs, they might both now be seeking alternative employment.

Paul, can you honestly place your hand on your heart and say that the Gillard/Rudd government are not reposible for the debt we have?

The Abbott government has fulfilled one commitment, they have stopped the boats. Now that's no mean feat considering Rudd removed the barriers that Howard put in place that had also stopped the boats.

As for blaming Goaf, check the records and you will see that in the past 25 odd years, the coalition has governed twice, and on both occasions they have had huge debts dumped on them from incompetent labor governments. So here we go again!

The fundamental difference between the union driven labor government and the coalition, is that labor and the unions place employee rewards first, then try to get productivity to catch up, which is impossible because the carrot has already been eaten.

The coalition on the other hand says, prove your worth first and the wages will follow.

It's called, reward for effort.

The recent turmoil in the workforce is largely due to union/labotprs unworkable IR policies and these policies are now starting to surface.

The next collapse will be in hospitality, as once industrybjobs start to go, so too will their spending because their IR laws are unworkable, it's just that there's plenty of cash being splashed around by these workers at the moment. Watch this space!

579, given the coalition has set out to and achieved only one real policy, stopped the boats, where do you think the money has gone. Il give you a hint, labors interest bill.

As Tony Abbott government gains the support of the community, as did Howard, you poor buggers will be in fir a long spell between drinks, because your beloved Rudd/Gilkard/ Tprudd government had resembulances of more like a circus than a functioning government but you are simply too stubborn to accept that.

I would love to see a DD election, as it would bury your beloved union corrupted labor party for the rest of my life at least.
Bring it on!

Butch tell us what IR laws are unworkable. The interest on debt is 12 bill / year. so you will have to come up with something else.
IT is monsoonal time as you should know, Now we have a navy that will be stationed in the middle of nowhere forever.
About 20,000 syrians have found their way into malaysia now.

579, Butch has views and thoughts that some times get lost and he still believes Abbott did not just use any reason to tell untruths!
Not much use Paul trying to debate SM he has made up his mind before you think about posting anything.

Try this exercise,think ahead to the day Liberals drop Tony, wait it will come, and just assure SM will claim he always knew the man could not win over this country.
Then consider the long list of offenses Abbott has committed against voters so far.
Then, get ready to chuckle! consider what SM would have said about them if it had been Labor who did that.
Remember too Abbott,s factory door stops lieing to the workers about protecting jobs!

.....Butch tell us what IR laws are unworkable

Where do I start 579.

Union stand over tactics and bullying, labor gave them an inch, they took a mile.

Penalty rates in seven day industries such as hospitality.

Most people who worked on weekends were happy with their arrangements, but no, labor just could not leave well enough alone.

Ridiculous perks for Holden workers. Why should they get treated so well, when their industry mates get so much less?

For example, if you fail a drug test in the real world, you get sacked. Not at Hokden, you get counseling WITH FULL PAY!

1 in six workers are union reps, compared to 1 in 26 as the norm.

Governments controlled by unions need to stay out of people's own negotiations unless the worker wants them there.

Likemitmor nit, you are about to see a huge shake up in almost the entire work force because the pendulum has swung back in favor of the employer, yet, if the unions were willing to negotiate down, rather than their policy of up, or nothing, things could be a lot better.

But hey, don't worry, everything's sweet, so you told me late last year.

The country was flying, then along came one miss Julia Gillard with an axe to grind, and boy did she grind it.

You have no idea what makes the wheels turn.

Belly, I would expect no different from you as you can't see through your union glasses mate.

Belly is full of forecasts but here is one TA will govern a lot better than Rudd or Gillard did. We are certainly facing hard times now which would have come no matter what or who. TA is still the best man to run the country and Belly you just have to bear it!