Producer,

What is outstanding for you are those questions you haven't answered and are avoiding,

<Producer, "I wonder if Arthur will get the same short shift as Peter got from his colleagues if he is proved wanting"

Arthur who? Peter who? What exactly do you mean by that statement?>

Obviously you intend a smear, so out with it.

'afternoon to you all...

I too would like to see the return of BELLY ! Though we were diametrically opposed politically, I've always valued his honesty, principles and courteousness, as well as his self-deprecating ways whenever he was discussing a topic, other then his beloved Labour Party. So should you be reading any of this BELLY, please return ASAP, as you're greatly missed by many of the contributors herein !

Now to the topic at hand ? Which leader are we referring too, might I ask ? If it's Bill Shorten, I don't consider anyone in Labour are 'leaders' per se ? It's those who are deeply ensconced behind the scenes, and who prescribe precisely what Labour will do and not do ? It's these individuals who are the true leadership, albeit illegitimately ? And it's for this reason I believe, that Labour seemed to have lost their direction, as well as a little of their hitherto 'champion of the worker's rights' reputation ?

Notwithstanding that Mr Shorten has strongly indicated that he was about to manifestly distance the Parliamentary Party from the domination and influence of the Trade Unions, until that becomes a reality, I sincerely believe that Parliamentary Labour, will ALWAYS be controlled and orchestrated by those famed 'faceless' men ?

It's probably too early to judge Mr Shorten as a potential leader, either good or bad ? Most certainly, despite a few minor blunders, Tony Abbott is a proven leader, without doubt. The only thing that I don't quite get ? Why is he so intractably hated even despised ? As an ordinary bloke, he seems OK to me !

o sung wu,

Forgive me if I disagree.

Tony Abbott is followed about incessantly by his puppeteer, Peta Credlin.
She's the one running the show and doing her best with the material at hand.

Abbott, for some unexplained reason has managed to pull it off with help from Murdoch, etc....but he's certainly not the sort of fellow who fits the "Great Leader" mold in any way shape or form.

He's a marionette - and he's bandied about by the facilitator, Credlin, on behalf of the LNP machine and the IPA.

His ridiculous stab at elitism by autonomously deciding to reinstate knights and dames pretty well sums up his style when left to his own devices.

OTB – If I wanted to be really, really silly I could say something like.

Well if you answer mine first, I’ll answer yours.

You just ignore that, I’m not serious; it’s just an example of silliness.

Your lack of ability to debate is not worth my time.

You and your mate’s just carry on with you partisan press releases and I will comment appropriately when I choose.

O sung wu – You are clearly not a lefty. I don’t know in what context you speak of Tony Abbott. As a bloke I to would consider him ordinary but I do not know him personally. As the leader of a Government that only 45.55% of voters in this country wanted who controls a disproportionate 60% (90 seats) he does not have any mandate to do what he and his cronies are doing I have little time or respect for them.

As for BELLY, I to hope he has the stomach to return. Perhaps he could come back with a new handle. I believe GUTS is available.

I was surprised to learn that Peta Credlin is a country girl, hailing from Wycheproof, a tiny locale in NW Victoria. Here is a photo of the local station,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wycheproof_railway_station

Peta went to school in Geelong after her parents moved near there.

My hat is off to this very able and presentable woman who has made her way through ability, grit and hard work.

Most taxpayers would wish her well and fervently hope for many more like her.

What a stark contrast there is between Peta Credlin and the time-wasting purveyors of speculative gossip and dirt who would try to bring her down in the hope of creating some short term political embarrassment for their real political target.

osung wu, I understand what you are asking. It seems to be a carry over
from when he first became leader and the government was worried that
a straight forward, lifesaver, Rural Fire Service member, competative
bike rider, suburban bloke who was married with children was too much
of a match to the average bloke in the street.
Then when he got stuck into the PM and various ministers, well that was too much.
They thought up Dr No as a response, forgetting their similarity in
their opposition Howard years, and now Bill Shorten is doing a repeat of Dr No !
Of course his big ears and funny walk really got them going. A cartoonists delight !
The only thing I wish he would stop is waving his hands around while he talks.
It is really all good entertainment.