Dear O Sung Wu,

I read an excellent article in the Drum not so long
ago that did an analysis of some of the problems that the
Abbott-led Coalition is currently encountering.
The drum's analysis had some ver valid points, in my opinion.

They pointed out that the Abbott-led Coalition's
success in opposition led to a passionate embrace of
negative campaigning across the political spectrum.

The Drum tells us that the Abbott-led
Coalition learned from the Gillard era that undermining
trust was political gold that could tear down a
government.

Well, that was great - but it proved not to be
so good for them once they got into power.

The Drum states -
Because in honing negativity to a fine art in opposition
these politicians undermined public confidence in the
institutions of government and created a monster that now
threatens to consume them in power.

Monstering Labor for broken promises and deficit
blowouts worked a treat in opposition but it created a
straitjacket for the Coalition in confronting those
issues in government.

Interesting times ahead - that's for sure.

Good evening ONTHEBEACH, RUNNER & FOXY...

My apologies, I believe you're right RUNNER it's his sister who's a lesbian, sorry I should determine my facts far more closely.

ONTHEBEACH...You're quite correct I don't believe the PM enjoys much media support, as evidenced by the appalling coverage he gets whenever he speaks ? I believe you're right again, when you infer they tend to play the man, rather then the issues.

I'll admit he doesn't present very well publically with his 'umms' and 'ahhs' and other less desirable speech impediments, and the media never let him forget either ? Whereas Malcolm TURNBULL speaks very well, articulating clearly whatever subject he wishes to impart.

I too lament the ol' days my friend. The Sunday roast, with the family, listening to the radio serials pre TV. Particularly on Sunday evenings, a radio show called 'the Caltex Theatre' 2000hrs each and every Sunday night. Mr Menzies was the PM in those days, rarely did we hear from him or even see him ? Save for the daily paper, and in the occasional Newsreels, as a precursor to the main feature at the Pictures. Yet he was in the top job for yonks, from about 1949 or 1950, through to the mid 1960's I believe ?

ONTHEBEACH ! Mate you've got to cut this out, for the sake of my sanity ! They reckon when one regresses to their distant past, well...?

I'll get back to you FOXY and RUNNER, and thank you.

Yup, some people say that Abbott is a bumbling, deceptive, lying fool...but he's actually a bonza bloke who does all these really bonza things to make him look um...ahh...cough....bonza!.

His government has just today announced the signing of a Free Trade Agreement with China (Hoorah!)...which proves just how bonza he is.

This agreement has provision for Chinese companies to sue the Australian govt for changes in law and policy (Hoorah!)

Bonza!

(I'm quite interested as to why Abbott's sister's lesbianism was included in o sung wu's wrap-up above...is that supposed to represent some kind of feather in Tony's cap? - odd)

Thank you POIROT...

Not really, it's just considering the highly topical Gay marriage debate still happily meandering along, I thought it might demonstrate that he, Tony Abbott, as Prime Minister does have more than just an academic appreciation of the many trials and tribulations of the homosexual lobby ? With some closer personal insight into many of the demons some Gays need to confront in their daily lives, that's all POIROT, nothing odd, no conspiracy just an observation is all ? I appreciate your input nevertheless.

RUNNER, FOXY and ONTHEBEACH...

Personally I think he'd be a good bloke at a personal level, good to talk with, knowledgeable etc. But to me,(I know nothing of politics) he seems to lack confidence whenever he speaks ? Worse, he doesn't seem to enjoy overall support from those in his own party ? Hence the embarrassing leaks, leadership grumbling, divisions, any one of these negative issues can bring him down. If he were to go, who'd replace him ? Not Malcolm TURNBULL, I don't trust him - I really wouldn't know ?

POIROT, as possibly Tony ABBOTT'S most ardent critic, if he were to step down, who would replace him in your mind, please ? I must go, my eyes are tired and sore.

Foxy,
"Things have steadily gone from bad to worse.
And the fact that his opponents (many internal)
seem to get a disproportionate amount of air-time
certainly does not help".

What Has gone from bad to worse? I recall you expressing fear for the future of Aus after the election, but the sky has not fallen.
The mining tax and the Carbon tax is gone and the illegals have been stopped from coming. There has not been any massive spending on 'grand' schemes like Labor did. In fact Labor has prevented the Government from further spending cuts that are needed to get our fiancés in order. Even today Gov got a deal through to give thousands of pensioners a real rise and reduced the eligibility of millionaires to obtain a part pension. In the face of a hostile Senate, those are real gains.

"Nobody seriously expected Mr Abbott to win the last election."

What rubbish! Maybe not you, but everbody expected Labor to lose, after all they were the worst government we have ever had. Labor's experiment with a female PM was a disaster and failed to get the women,s support, because of incompetence. Rudd was installed again to save a few seats.

The continued debacle by Labor on the 'illegal entrants' issue and Shorten's promise to restore the welcome mat for the illegals, will ensure the re-election of LNP with a Senate majority. Better stock up on tissues Foxy.

Prime Minister Bogan.