Good thread. One thing that really amazes me (and I hope that this is still true) is how it is that for the past few years all states have had labor leaders, but at a federal levle we have a liberal government. So obviously at the state levle the Labor party are pulling in the votes, however why is it that at the national levle they just dont do it, my only guess as to why this is, is that they have not had a strong leader in some years. I really hope that this years federal election dosn't turn out like our recent state election(although I was happy with the result, it is just a good comparisson) I read many coments in newspapers and the like that Lawrence Springborg (leader of the opposition) probably didn't have much of a chance due to him only being newly appointed as leader and the Labor government used this as a scare tactic in their tv advertising during the campaign, I think it went something like "how can a party with 5 leaders in the past 3 years run a good government!"
So I guess is this what is going to happen at the national levle this year? I dont know much about Mark Lathan, he seems alright but I guess I do know what I dont like and that is definately John Howard and the Liberal party. I do believe that if they get in again that they will be extrememly cocky and 'bullet proof' is a great metaphor.
One thing that always amazes me is when people make the point that the libs are great with the economy and balancing the books. I agree that many of the factors that have enabled them t have better 'books' in the 90s and 00s were founded in the 80s. And I hate it how the libs use this as a draw card in elections. I remember at the last election being disgusted in friends of mine, whom I thought were like me and were appalled by the actions of the libs, however becuase they were good at balancing the books, well that out weighed everything. I dont understand how a strong economy can be a driving force for ones vote, when the same government were turning away refugees, sending us to war, ass licking america, making social welfare harder for those who need it my list could go on and on........
I do hope that Latham gets ballsier and gets tough, maybe even adopt a bit of a 'character trait' instead of being wooden, like many of the other recent Labor leaders, remember Paul Keating's take over of the leadership from Bob Hawke??. I dont want to get into a whole debate about the merits of Paul Keating, but I guess that those actions prooved him to be a tough individual. I dont really like the libs, I would love to see Bob Brown as leader, but we all know that this isn't going to happen, however I guess the labor guys are the better of the two major parties and I hope that when the next election comes around that people dont forget the following, to name just a few.....
the tampa
treatment of refugees and asylum seekers
the regional forestry agreement
going to war in Iraq
the numerous changes to university funding and increases in HECS- why o why should we be making it harder for those to study, tertiary education should not be a wealth or status dictated privlege
oh and to end on what I believe to be Mr Howard's most recent 'trump card', his remark about public schools giving students a too politically correct education!!!! Yes Mr Howard, we wouldn't want the youth of the nation being well informed and objective individuals.......