Industry captains to Tony Abbott: show us what you've got

    by: MATT CHAMBERS
    From: The Australian
    January 04, 2013


BUSINESS leaders have called on Tony Abbott to start revealing more of what he plans should he win government, in a period of ongoing political uncertainty in what some see as a potentially strong year economically.     :-?

Workplace reform and infrastructure spending remain key concerns among some of the nation's top business leaders, who are hoping this year's election will provide a long-awaited chance to spur action.

BlueScope Steel and Brambles chairman Graham Kraehe said increased regulation, stalled infrastructure and labour reform were the main policy issues that needed to be addressed, but that there was no sign the government wanted to deal with them.    

"The opposition really needs to start articulating policies pretty clearly about how it is going to grow a strong Australian economy from what's potentially a good base, but which has not been well served by policy," Mr Kraehe said yesterday in the Victorian holiday town of Sorrento.


"I can understand the opposition doesn't want to get out too early, but now we're in an election year we need to hear from them about productivity, infrastructure and regulation. Those big three things are vital."

Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford said voters had probably grown tired of the personal attacks that dominated politics at the end of last year, and they wanted the debate to shift to policy.

"What they're expecting from government is to now focus on a debate over core issues like jobs, education and health," Mr Clifford said.

"We've also got to think about how infrastructure is addressed because governments, state and federal, aren't going to have the huge surpluses that were available in the past."

Mr Clifford said while tactically it might be too early for the opposition to put forward policy positions, more information was needed. "I hope they release more about the philosophy about what they are saying -- that is, the skeleton to put the flesh on when you have the policy," he said.

Mr Kraehe and Mr Clifford joined scores of other corporate captains in the first big business social event of the year, the KPMG Couta Boat Classic at Sorrento.

The event, in which wooden fishing boats up to 80 years old are raced with corporate teams, attracted about 500 people, including many Melbourne corporate heads who spend their summer in the seaside playground south of the city.

KPMG Australia chairman Paul Nash said the economy was likely to grow by about 2 per cent this year, which was good by developed-world standards. "The election is creating an added layer of instability in this marketplace -- there's no doubt that business is cautious," Mr Nash said.

"I'm far more optimistic about the second half, with the election behind us and some certainty."

Most of the corporate heads saw developments overseas as encouraging and likely to have a positive effect on Australia.

Westpac chairman Lindsay Maxsted was more circumspect than most. "If you think through what all the factors that existed in 2012 that made people cautious were, they're all still there," Mr Maxsted said.

He said the international scene had improved marginally but unemployment in Europe was still a big issue, and the US had not decided on a fiscal cliff outcome and still had a huge budget deficit.

"In Australia, most individuals still have high levels of debt they want to pay off and we still have concerns on where we will finish in a political sense," he said.

Mr Maxstead said it was important there was not a hung parliament after the next election and that whoever won engaged with business.   

Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :(

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 6:01am:

Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :(

How about you wait until an election is actually called???

Tony Abbott Start Showing Us What You Got.

Never he will keep trying to play to his strengths.

He has been trying to hide the fact he has nothing to offer for the last 20 years.

The current PM has been utterly useless as well though to be fair.

Dnarever wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 6:06am:

Tony Abbott Start Showing Us What You Got. Never he will keep trying to play to his strengths. He has been trying to hide the fact he has nothing to offer for the last 20 years.

Whereas Labor has been quite open about the fact they've got nothing to offer for the last 20 years, especially since the 2007 election...

Abbott has already written a book for people to read about liberals directions. Thats all that is needed until an election is called.

lets hope he wants an HONEST GOVT... lets hope he doesnt spend the whole time in parliament blaming someone else..

can we make policies about that?

the fact that the list is so long about the stuff ups from this govt.... yet not one of them have owned them....

come on Tony make it law all pollies own their. mistakes.... tell us the facts how much they have wasted...

well I would like to see that...

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 6:11am:

Dnarever wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:06am: Tony Abbott Start Showing Us What You Got. Never he will keep trying to play to his strengths. He has been trying to hide the fact he has nothing to offer for the last 20 years. Whereas Labor has been quite open about the fact they've got nothing to offer for the last 20 years, especially since the 2007 election...

and the fact they still blame everything and everyone bar themselves...Swanny was at it again the other day... its like dealing with 5 yr olds who covered in jam claim they have no idea what you are talking about..


the I done nuffink wrong brigade.it was him....

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 6:04am:

wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:01am: Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :( How about you wait until an election is actually called???

Why? Who is disadvantaged by getting the policies out early and who is advantaged. The political parties are advantaged if it leaves insufficient time for poor policy to be evaluated thoroughly. And the voter is disadvantaged because we have a poorer understanding of the implications of our vote. Irrespective of who you support it is crazy to defend either of the major parties for hiding their true position.

Irrespective of which party is is opposition I always cringe when supporters defend their tardiness in fronting the electorate.

Well been waiting a long time now, over two years.  I guess eventually we will see Mr Abbott's plans.  Still waiting on your I.R policy Mr Abbott.     :( 

Be patient..Abbott will release his policies on the morning of election day  ;D

MOTR wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:25am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:04am: wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:01am: Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :( How about you wait until an election is actually called??? Why? Who is disadvantaged by getting the policies out early and who is advantaged. The political parties are advantaged if it leaves insufficient time for poor policy to be evaluated thoroughly. And the voter is disadvantaged because we have a poorer understanding of the implications of our vote. Irrespective of who you support it is crazy to defend either of the major parties for hiding their true position. Irrespective of which party is is opposition I always cringe when supporters defend their tardiness in fronting the electorate.

you must not have been here during the 2007 ME TOO election... ;D ;D ;D ;D

cods wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:18am:

lets hope he wants an HONEST GOVT... lets hope he doesnt spend the whole time in parliament blaming someone else.. ...

Unrealistic optimism, the least honest opposition leader is not real likely to be honest in government.

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:26am:

Well been waiting a long time now, over two years.  I guess eventually we will see Mr Abbott's plans.  Still waiting on your I.R policy Mr Abbott.     :(

I guess up till then.  Abbott's character and what clues that gives us about how he will lead the country, remains the main talking point.

adelcrow wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:27am:

Be patient..Abbott will release his policies on the morning of election day

He didn't in 2010, why expect anything different now.

cods wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:28am:

MOTR wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 7:25am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:04am: wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:01am: Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :( How about you wait until an election is actually called??? Why? Who is disadvantaged by getting the policies out early and who is advantaged. The political parties are advantaged if it leaves insufficient time for poor policy to be evaluated thoroughly. And the voter is disadvantaged because we have a poorer understanding of the implications of our vote. Irrespective of who you support it is crazy to defend either of the major parties for hiding their true position. Irrespective of which party is is opposition I always cringe when supporters defend their tardiness in fronting the electorate. you must not have been here during the 2007 ME TOO election... ;D ;D ;D ;D

Who cares. If competition drives both parties to cherry pick the best policies it can only be good for the electorate.

How about it Mr Abbott, will people still get their weekend penalty rates?.     :-?

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:32am:

How about it Mr Abbott, will people still get their weekend penalty rates?.     :-?

How are you going to fund your big ticket items? What government services are in line for the chop.

Ask Mr Newman in Queensland.     :(

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:32am:

How about it Mr Abbott, will people still get their weekend penalty rates?.     :-?

I can answer that for you..under Abbotts rehash of workchoices most Aussies will be working under Chinese slave labour conditions.

Dnarever wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:30am:

adelcrow wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 7:27am: Be patient..Abbott will release his policies on the morning of election day  He didn't in 2010, why expect anything different now.

I was trying to be optimistic  :D

Tony Abbott Start Showing Us What You Got.

He got a new pair of Budgies for x'mas but I don't want to see them.

Dnarever wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:42am:

Tony Abbott Start Showing Us What You Got. He got a new pair of Budgies for x'mas but I don't want to see them.

See if you can spot him in this pic going for his christmas morning swim with a bunch of mates in their new budgie smugglers

http://a1.smlycdn.com/data/product2/1/958402a29241f680fe48502c6e61b6d07c1e28c1_m.jpg

progressiveslol wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 6:45am:

Abbott has already written a book for people to read about liberals directions. Thats all that is needed until an election is called.

what was it called?  'modern day fairy tales'..

John Smith wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 12:30pm:

progressiveslol wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:45am: Abbott has already written a book for people to read about liberals directions. Thats all that is needed until an election is called. what was it called?  'modern day fairy tales'..

I think its sub titled..Tony Abbott..why I want to be Bob Santamaria and turn the Liberal Party into the DLP  ;D

I wonder if the book has any pictures in it?.     :)      

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 12:54pm:

I wonder if the book has any pictures in it?.     :)

For you that would be a MUST   ;)

John Smith wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 12:30pm:

progressiveslol wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:45am: Abbott has already written a book for people to read about liberals directions. Thats all that is needed until an election is called. what was it called?  'modern day fairy tales'..

No it was called 'these are not gillard platitudes, lies and failures, these are real directions'

progressiveslol wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 12:58pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 12:30pm: progressiveslol wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:45am: Abbott has already written a book for people to read about liberals directions. Thats all that is needed until an election is called. what was it called?  'modern day fairy tales'.. No it was called 'these are not gillard platitudes, lies and failures, these are real directions'

so he wrote a book about Gillard? See, even he is a fan .....

and don't try to tell me he's not, you wouldn't know that unless you'd read the book, and everyone knows you can't read.

I am keeping very close due diligence to everything Hockey, Abbott and Turnbull have to say...any effort on their behalf to victimize the poor and drive down their income and security is being carefully recorded... :)

Wasn't Mr Abbott's book titled - The Adventures Of A Snake Oil Salesman?.     :-? 

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 1:06pm:

Wasn't Mr Abbott's book titled - The Adventures Of A Snake Oil Salesman?.     :-?

;)Well there's proof you cant READ

Just had quick look at the book.  Chapter 1 is titled -  No,  No, No, No, No, No, No.     ;D    

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 1:11pm:

Just had quick look at the book.  Chapter 1 is titled -  No,  No, No, No, No, No, No.     ;D

;) EVEN  more proof you cant READ   ;)

Julia Gillard, Wayne Swan, Jenny Macklin, Anthony Albanese, Greg Combet, Martin Fergusen and Bill Shorten are under the same microscope...if you are going in to politics to get on the gravy train and victimize the poor driving down their employment security and social security...there is no more free ride for you - you are under the microscope and will be held accountable... :)

Oh no, just had look at chapter two.  Its titled - I got no policies.     :o    

wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 1:24pm:

Oh no, just had look at chapter two.  Its titled - I got no policies.     :o

Chapter 3..How to bash women into submission  ;D

adelcrow wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 1:59pm:

wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 1:24pm: Oh no, just had look at chapter two.  Its titled - I got no policies.     :o     Chapter 3..How to bash women into submission  ;D

;)  More from WINGNUT and his   $10  WINGNUT BRIDE  ;)

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 6:04am:

wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:01am: Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :( How about you wait until an election is actually called???

DEMOCRACY IS WAITING!!

adelcrow wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 1:59pm:

wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 1:24pm: Oh no, just had look at chapter two.  Its titled - I got no policies.     :o     Chapter 3..How to bash women into submission  ;D

you can't be serious??

the main problem with tony is that he's got himself into a sh#tfight with the socialists who hate the guy, but he's a big government, big spending, extend government into your face kind a guy.
he is just as big a socialist as they are
he wants to get rid of the carbon tax (who cares.. with the ammount of compo labor gave out its just a big money go round piece of bollocks) and then replace it with big government "direct action"

he wants to introduce some zany maternity leave scheme thats gold plated paid for by business.

he chokes when even trying to say the word industrial relations  and says workchoices is dead (he should get a union reps job for that one).

he says he offers bilateral support for the wildly expensive and bureacratic NDIS.

i am yet to hear one positive idea for business.

his ONLY point of distinction (real distinction ) from gillard is he doesnt have red hair.
he is just as boring, wooden and uninspiring as she is (who would possibly have thought that possible ;) ;))


now , he's got to harden up and take a leaf from campbell newmans book and take on these socialists in a real and meaningful way.

gut the public service
kick the lesbian intelectuals out of the national cirriculum / gonski arena
smash green tape
smash red tape
smash black tape
put the assylum seekers on tpv's and make them work til they plead to go home from heat exhaustion.
ban all sales of australian soil to foreigners (its our frigging land for gods sake)
forget the whales
close the tax loopholes for the rich and scrap business taxes like payroll and stamp duty.

will he do ANY of these things.
nope. he's a dope.  he's just relying on the fact he's not gillard.

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 2:38pm:

adelcrow wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 1:59pm: wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 1:24pm: Oh no, just had look at chapter two.  Its titled - I got no policies.     :o     Chapter 3..How to bash women into submission  ;D you can't be serious??

Thats Phony Tony for you

Chapter 4 is ..Where to find scumbags to do your fighting for you

Chapter 5 is..How to disappear when the going gets tough and reappear as if you were never gone

;D ;D

Don't we deserve to know what the Leader of the Opposition has in stall for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLAu2aY5UgY&sns=em

MOTR wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:25am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:04am: wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 6:01am: Oh no thats right I forgot.  Mr Abbott you like to keep the good Australian people in the dark.     :( How about you wait until an election is actually called??? Why? Who is disadvantaged by getting the policies out early and who is advantaged. The political parties are advantaged if it leaves insufficient time for poor policy to be evaluated thoroughly. And the voter is disadvantaged because we have a poorer understanding of the implications of our vote. Irrespective of who you support it is crazy to defend either of the major parties for hiding their true position. Irrespective of which party is is opposition I always cringe when supporters defend their tardiness in fronting the electorate.

You have a short memory, don't you? Howard did this - released election policies early and found it was a colossal mistake as Rudd then took those policies, made slight alterations and claimed them as his own. Yeah, I'm sure Abbott wants to give Gillard a chance to do this too...

adelcrow wrote on Jan 4^th, 2013 at 7:58am:

Dnarever wrote on Jan 4th, 2013 at 7:42am: Tony Abbott Start Showing Us What You Got. He got a new pair of Budgies for x'mas but I don't want to see them. See if you can spot him in this pic going for his christmas morning swim with a bunch of mates in their new budgie smugglers http://a1.smlycdn.com/data/product2/1/958402a29241f680fe48502c6e61b6d07c1e28c1_m.jpg

Really??? That's what you come up with? A snipe at him wearing budgie smugglers? He's a qualified surf lifesaver who is active in that organisation. I assume then, that you make fun of all lifesavers who wear budgie smugglers, right?