I too wish that Tony would actually reveal/release some policies, although I do understand his reluctance to do so.

Most of all, I just want this stinking government to go. I am no Abbott fan, but I will take him any day over Gillard, or anyone else in Labor.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 1:33pm:


In a perfect worl, I'd agree with you. But the truth is that the notion of releasing a full pollicy suite well ahead of the election died in 1993. The Libs did just that and lost an unloseable election because the gave the govt all the ammunition and information they needed well ahead of time. Since then, no opposition has released much prior to the elecion campaign. if you want to complain about it then blame the voter. They punished a party for exactly what you are demanding. I too would like a great deal more transparency and better behaviour. But in a classic example of why that will never be, the ALP is attacking a Vic Lib for using his govt car on private business and demanding he be sacked while the same party expects Thomson to be ignored. THIS is why things are so bad.

EVIL is exonerated
TRIVIAL is punished
TRANSPARENCY is abused

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 5:54pm:



Maybe, maybe it was because Hewson didnt really know what his was doing.
The very first angle of rebuttal should have been to highlight Keating wanted this change to our taxation system but was overuled, not because it wasn't good policy but because Labor new they had worn out the Australian public capacity for reform with all the other economic changes.
Hewson should have known his own policy backwards as well, there was no excuse to be caught as he was by Ray Martin.

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 5:56pm:


Unfortunately you are correct, we live in the middle of the "Me Generations"

adelcrow wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 7:47pm:


Real world V Political world

Dsmithy70 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 7:43pm:


I refuse to believe and unloseable election was lost of the cake debacle. Even a dope would have to conclude it was nothing worse than a bad interview for which he was unprepared. But I do recall that election and the wy keatin campaigned where he pretty much lied toa gullible electorate who were prepared to beleive a very capable campaigner over simple facts. I said at the time that that election was going to end the notion of Oppositions bringing forward comprehensive policy platforms ahead of time. and I was right. Unfortuntately, we cant really blame pollies for it. We blame voters. Voters are by and large, uninformed and disengaged in the process. Combined with the fact that a fair swag are also quite stupid, political parties now have to play that reality. Hence the reason oppositions dont show their hand much before elections.

Do you really think you dont know pretty much the sum total of the Coalitions policies? Not the details perhaps but the broad thrust you do. Im betting you (and I) could jot down 10 major coalition policies right now and not be too far wrong. And when labor were in opposition, we could have done the same. But because voters are essentially quiet dumb, they get treated as mushrooms.

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 8:27pm:


As we see now, the power of the tabloid media and shock jocks reaches far into Australian households.
Where political ignorance/apathy is worn as a badge of honour.

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 8:27pm:


You are describing Tonys current strategy

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 8:27pm:


See the 2nd line of 1st response.

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 8:27pm:


I'm not really calling for a finished product, just something with a bit more in depth than
"Stop the Boats"
"Axe the Tax"
I'm quite happy to wait until the election is called for costings, well as long as they come out in the 1st week of a 6 or 7 week campaign.

longweekend58 wrote on Jun 7^th, 2012 at 8:27pm:


If we had a traditional Liberal leader, probably yes, but Abbotts not a traditional leader, frankly IMHO his not a leader in anyway shape or form.
And before you start on with the poll numbers, be honest, if Gillard was not leading Labor with all her Rudd/CT baggage or even with that, Labor could annouce/introduce policy without shooting themselves in the foot Tony would be long gone or the Libs would be polling worse than Labor currently is.