what talent does a politician need? obviously none. However perhaps some moral obligation to tell the truth maybe keep a promise or learn to say two words "YES or "NO" and not give some convoluted reply when asked a question that results in him asking a question on a subject thats not connected with the question asked. If you want to see the ultimate contempt for the electorate then just follow the liberal leaders in west australia, our premier stated when asked why he had abandoned his pre-election promises he just said well nobody really takes pre-election promises seriously. Hows that, could you honestly apply the word talent to such a complete idiot and he leads our state. God help us.

The difference comes down to the classical conservative vs progressive ideologies.

Conservatives believe in - "the individual", economic freedom, employer support and free trade.
Progressives believe in "society", personal freedom, worker support and fair trade.

Conservatives believe "equality is opportunity" and freedom as the chance to succeed or fail.
Progressives believe "equality is a level playing field" and freedom is freedom from the abuse of power and inequality.

Conservatives believe in upholding order, helping those who help themselves, strong role models and are the champions of opportunity.
Progressives believe in fairness, helping those who can't help themselves, positive role models and are the champions of the downtrodden.

There are several other examples, but people should realise that Abbott & Co are NOT traditional conservatives - they are the new breed of neo-conservatives who hold extremist views and are in the grip of religious fundamentalists and large corporate interests.

The ALP has always been influenced by Trade Unions but the Liberals are now philosophically closer to fascism than the traditional democratic political party they were twenty years ago - which is not only a pity but of real social concern.

All the comments here prove to me that there is a definate concern among the few that are obviously thinking people. But one has to ask the question why media reporters dont voice concerns and bring it to the people. My thoughts are tha Australia has now entered the dangerous world of Murdocracy and our media is so controlled that Abbott & Co are just his puppets.

rache, a very good post. I would substitute liberal for the word conservative. As one who I did respect, John Gorton, Liberal PM famously said "I am a Liberal, not a Conservative." It appears to me liberalism has been driven out of the Liberal Party. The ultra right, have assumed control, with the "right" people in office who are now flexing their muscles on a broad range of issues.
The political shift to the right in Australia has been gradual, starting with the downfall of Whitlam, and Labor has been complicit in this. The likes of Hawke and Keating done little to restore balance in society, they were very good on the political rhetoric but failed badly when it came to positive progressive action. Howard was able to capitalise on Labors years in office to continue the political shift. Nothing in the way of major progressive action was undertaken by either Rudd or Gillard, they may have retarded the flow to the right, by winding back some of the Howard excess. Rudd Gillard Labor never tried to restore the balance to society through any kind of real positive progressive action. The disarray of Labor now gives Abbott and his ultra conservatives a free hand to up the ante and shift even more to the extreme right, without question.

Westozzy,
I have made a study of a long serving polly of many years ago.
I have followed him via Hansard as well. He was a labourer amd miner in his early years , fought in the Boer war and WW1 where he was badly wounded in the trenches in France. He had little formal education but went on to serve as a minister at various times of different portfolios.
I am not too sure he could be called talented but he comes across as a simple, ethical and honest man who went out of his way to help others inside and outside of politics. He was no doubt a pragmatist but I think life made him that way.
I suspect there were quite a few like him in politics at that time. Very different critters to those that supposedly serve us today.
He was my grandfather. Sadly I never knew him personally as he died when I was quite young.
SD

I've just come across a copy of a letter written
to The Age on July 1st 2003 by Robert Corcoran
on the difference between the Liberals and Labor.
He writes:

"Liberals are supported by, and favour the rich and
powerful, and Labor acts for the rest of us - when it
gets the chance."

So why do people vote for the Libs?

Is it because they get sick of the warring and infighting
that often occurs with Labor, or do they just simply
want a change of government every now and then? Or does
the media influence public opinion?