You think that's bad ted....the libs has been in power here at least 10080 minutes and already we have had train cancellations galore, flooding, and an iconic chinese restaurant have burnt down. HOPELESS.

Also, the Victorian election I think has shown just how weak a grip the Greens have on their current 'popularity'.

There is a clear and significant shift back towards conservatism as people realise the pie in the sky ideas of alternative power sources and "greening" the country are expensive or non existant.

This side of the GFC people want a return to strong, stable government. Labor's present grip on power relies on radical Greens and a few selfish independents who are serving no one but themselves.

Labor is all but finished in Canberra.

It's just a matter of time and maybe just maybe 2011 will see that time come.

Crikey - Tuesday, 28 September 2010

The Liberal Party and the Republican Party

Australia’s political climate:
John Chan writes: Re. “Why Abbott can wreck with impunity”

When I left the USA a few years ago, THE POLITICAL CLIMATE WAS BECOMING SO TOXIC THAT THE OPPOSITION REPUBLICANS ESSENTIALLY HELD THE DEMOCRAT GOVERNMENT HOSTAGE BY USING PROCEDURAL TACTICS TO PREVENT THE GOVERNMENT FROM PERFORMING EVEN THE MOST BASIC DUTIES.

It was a great breath of fresh air when I moved to Australia for work and started following Australian politics. It seemed that the opposition was there to point out the flaws of the government, but fairly and with suggested alternatives. This appealed to me because the behaviour of a responsible opposition holding the government to account in turn strengthened democracy.

Now in the USA the REPUBLICANS POLITICAL STRATEGY IS TO OPPOSE EVERYTHING THE GOVERNMENT SUGGESTS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Even the most trivial procedures and minor duties are delayed or opposed by the Republican Party.

MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES ONCE INTRODUCED OR SUPPORTED BY REPUBLICANS ARE NOW OPPOSED SIMPLY BECAUSE THE DEMOCRAT GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THEM. THIS HAS MADE THE COUNTRY UNGOVERNABLE. This behaviour is not about effective opposition. Its purpose is to destroy the government and through that, the country.

SADLY, THIS TOXIC POLITICAL CLIMATE HAS BEGUN TO SEEP INTO AUSTRALIA.


With the Coalition refusing to honour their agreement to pair the speaker, the tactic to delay even the most minor progress for the Government has begun. When opposition leader Tony Abbott introduced Malcolm Turnbull as his new Shadow Communications Minister his objective was simply to “demolish” the National Broadband Network.

This does not sound like an opposition interested in strengthening policies through discussion. It’s simply the Coalition opposing the government’s policy on principle. This feels all too familiar: it’s how the Republicans are stalling progress in America.

Governments should be held accountable to act in the best interests of the country, not simply to retain power. The power of opposition is an equally important function of democracy. If you squander that power and that opportunity, you are no better than a government that fails to act in the national interest.

Governments should be held accountable to act in the best interests of the country, not simply to retain power

outside of times of war ... has this ever happened ?

so tony must roll over on his beliefs? why? this govt is dead in the water and you expect him to go easy ffs

So julia must roll over on her beliefs? Why? This opposition is drowning in it's own spin, and you expect her to fold easily. FFS.

By: This user is online. Da_Judge
Date Joined: 16 Dec 08 Add contact | Send message When: 08 Dec 10 01:46 looks like a photo of a backyard from a labour heartlan

your best for a while judgy.

expecting some interesting times ahead with the pix.should be fun

It happens with every Gov't, with many of the decisions they make,are in the best interests of the country, in their opinion. Of course they all wish to retain power also, the 2 premisses are not mutually exclusive. imo.

fair enough afl lol

I call on anyone considering voting for the extreme Greens to have a close look at a woman who will be strutting her stuff on the national stage for the Greens in our Australian Senate.

She's a Greens Senator by the name of LEE RHIANNON.

She'd make Socialist Alliance party blush.....fair dinkum

ffs, you sound more and more desperate as the days wear on.

You honestly believe Labor would be voting WITH an Abbott Coalition government in parliament and not opposing Coalition policy if the outcome back in August was in reverse, wombleoz?

If so, WAKE UP!

There have been a LARGE number of bills pass in this parliament, with the support of the Coalition - each piece judged on its merit.

I don't think the Coalition should apologise for keeping a shambolic, directionless, agendaless and desperate government to account.

Don't go forgetting, Oppositions are not designed to govern wombleoz - I can't seem to recall friendly Labor oppositions in years gone by - and plenty of opposing from them for opposing sakes - I think its called POLITICS ffs

And a vote for Liberal a vote for Labor?  Nice try.

More nonsense from wombleoz.

Labor benefited from Lib preferences in Labor v Green seats.  You know why the CONSERVATIVES put the EXTREME LEFTWING Greens last.

Its common sense.  Then again, being the watermelon you are, I wouldn't expect you to understand.....

Why do I keep going on about Lee Rhiannon?

She is an incoming Senator in 2011 in the Australian Parliament for the Greens, and I think she will be an important influence on the Greens future, and therefore another strong reason to NOT waste your vote on this extremist party.

I doubt anyone will have to do or say anything for us to learn a lot more about Lee Rhiannon, I'm sure she'll handle it all for herself.



P.S - You can rabbit on as much as you like about a "solid 10+" but the Greens were stagnant in the Victorian election. 

You, Bob, Lee and the other watermelons puffed out your chests as if on cue and crowed about the Greens storming the Victorian parliament.

You all ended up with serious amounts of egg on your face and sounding excruciatingly desperate about the real world result in Victoria.

You and the watermelons want to play politics, wombleoz, I think the Victorian campaign makes it loud and clear from the major parties, its

GAME ON

You're going to see a lot more of this next year and beyond.

First NSW.......then Queensland.....

[:)][:)][:)]

How rude.  Leave Bronny alone - she is an amazing woman.
The Liberal Party owes more to her, than she owes to the Liberal Party, thats for sure.

Bronny is a true blue Liberal, no doubt about it; but she ain't a communist, social extremist or economic terrorist, such as Lee Rhiannon. [:o]

You can't compare Liberal people and Labor people to the Greens, wombleoz.  It just can't be done!  [smiley:crazy]

not all Greens preference Labor Jez, most do, but not all do - deliberately putting them last on the Liberal HTV will cost you votes as well

What a load of rot. 

The Liberal vote increased in inner-Melbourne at the Victorian election, following the decision to place the Greens last.

The Greens will continue to tread water for a while longer, I accept that - but a third force......Ummmmmmmmm



No way known.

Wikileaks is a tough one wombleoz.

I think Gillard needs to reign in her lazy and loose lips very quickly.  Her comments earlier in the week were embarrassing.

I notice she has backed off considerably.  Too late imo.

I think Kevin Rudd made a good point, which must of been difficult for him consider the barrage of critisism leveled at him from the U.S.

Assange has not committed a crime.  And lets be honest, these rape allegations in Sweden (rape is defined very differently there) are very sketchy, to say the least.

I think the U.S really needs to examine its security in terms of the distribution and transmission of cables, etc.

It's truly remarkable and captivating journalism, you have to admit.

I'm all for free speech - but I must say - Wikileaks could of handled the release of these documents a touch better. 

re wikileaks- it was amazing how  govts of the world were universal in their  condemation of the leaks.Or should we say their universal interest in hiding the truth.Yeh, I think thats more accurate.

re kevvie 07- for the 1st time since he got into the limelight he seems to have spoken the truth.It was the americans fault.Clearly he no longer has career ambitions and was basically telling other govts- F-you,  assange is not  a criminal.
  A rare occasion where I say- K Rudd- well done.

C'mon wombleoz, be genuine, just this once.

I'll be honest, I disagree with Julie Bishop on this one.

I'd have to agree strongly with the Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd on this - Rudd is spot on in all of his comments to date.

Can I also take this opportunity, to welcome back Mal Brough.

A bloke who is respected by both sides of politics.

Mal has rejoined the Liberal National Party (LNP) in Queensland after some well earnt time away with family.

Mal was a proud figure of the Howard Government who was truly passionate about working with indigenous families and really making a difference in their lives and was truly touched by what he experienced in his time in the Northern Territory during the later stages of the Howard Government.

Can I say I was touched by his thoughts and comments after his time as Minister for Indigenous affairs and following the intervention that occured in the last 12 months of the Howard Government.

The true nature of abuse that was taking place and the harrowing tales were raw and incredibly moving.

Welcome back Mal and I wish him all the best in preselection for the electorate of Fisher for the next Federal Election.

Your a bloody champion.  All the best.

No I won't be changing my vote Joel.

I am Liberal for the Liberals.

But I'm fair.  Credit where credits due.

Kevin Rudd is right on Wikileaks and considering the barrage of critisism that has come his way he has handled it tremendously well.

I think there is an understandable politiking coming from the Opposition on this issue because in politics, loose lips sink ships.

Gillard very lazy in her language use, on this issue, earlier in the week - Kevin saves the day - lucky for her - his the only one sounding half decent out of all of this.

Would you change if you knew it was the liberals behind the recent rainfall in your area?