Thankfully its over, the lies, deceit and wasted opportunities have gone but the legacy remains. On May 21st 2022 Australians finally removed the incompetent Coalition government, first led by Abbott, then Turnbull and finally by Morrison, each one a disaster in turn. With too much self-interest and too little integrity the Coalition Government was always unable to respond to the challenges facing the nation. From climate change to women's issues, and everything in between the Coalition was a disaster. The Coalition left the Aussie wagon bogged to its axles, its now the job of the new Labor government to get the country moving again.

" its now the job of the new Labor government to get the country moving again."

I agree. We're buggered.

Dear Paul,

«With too much self-interest and too little integrity the Coalition Government was always unable to respond to the challenges facing the nation.»

So what's the difference - even you are still not weaned of thinking in silly terms of "nation", so do they both (or at least so they pretend, if they ever cared about anything but lining their pockets and their own glorification) - nobody thinks of the little people like you and me and the hurt they cause us. Who ever cared?

Nine years ago, Tweedledum was removed because they forced their filthy NBN down our throats, now this time around Tweedledee was removed because they denied us access to COVID vaccines and proper quarantine opportunities for those stuck outside Australia. Where exactly will Tweedledum hit us this time, we are yet to find out, but no reason to rejoice - it will surely hurt!

Hi Paul,

We've all witnessed the fact that our country is
not immune to the forces of division, whether they're
driven by ideology or political opportunism. We've
in the past few years have had a government that
chose to divide, to play politics, and to pit people
against each other. To pit state against state.
These years have been tough as you point out.

However, under the new leadership seems determined to
put the past years behind them and deal with the
big challenges that face them. They have plans and
priorities - from an anti-corruption commission,
to a Voice to Parliament, to a climate policy, to
aged care, to cheaper child-care, to name just a few.

They have already made strides in our region. We now
need to give them the support that they need to take
this country in the right direction for which we all
voted. They deserve the opportunity and support for which
we all voted.

Do we really want to go back to the way things were?
The Australian voters made their feelings clear.

Its all very well to swoon over piffling things like a purported republic referendum or a voice for people whose ancestors were here when Cook arrived, but that's not the issues that will determine the success or otherwise of the new government.

Yesterday, the US Federal Reserve raised official rates 0.75% following a 0.5% rise last month. Last week Australia raised rates by 0.5% and will almost certainly do the same or more, next month and throughout the year. Inflation continues to rise and the RBA now says it'll get to 7% (based on their previously hopeless predictions that probably means it'll get to double figures). The stock-market has fallen by 6% this week alone. The $AUD is under pressure and there's talk of raising interest rates just to defend it.

Internationally, the US is in or close to a recession and China is in a downturn. The only bright spot for Australia is commodity prices but (1) that'll change once the various overseas downturns kick in and (2) the government and cross-benchers are very much anti-mining.

These are the challenges facing the government. How will they deal with them? I suspect that people's enthusiasm for climate targets, the republic, a third parliamentary house etc will dissipate rapidly when mortgage rates are doubling, inflation is rampant and superannuation funds are in decline.

That's where the government will be judged. I don't see any indication they are up to the task.