Alan Kohler is one of Australia’s most experienced commentators and journalists. Alan is the founder of Eureka Report, Australia’s most successful investment newsletter, and Business Spectator, a 24-hour free business news and commentary website. He also hosts Inside Business, a half-hour Sunday programme on the ABC, is the finance presenter on the ABC News - and producer of the nightly graph (or two).
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Comments on this article
Comments PolicyA sorry state of affairs.
Government of the people by the people for the people was ever a bucket list item.
The overriding rule is that he who holds the gold makes the rules.
The "gold" can be power and connections, faction support, corruption (lets all follow NSW).
but most certainly not "a level and balanced playing field".
Constituents are like corks on the ocean and no number of corks can control an oceans current (political party faction).
We are doomed to continue to be on the receiving end of crap government in the foreseeable future - most certainly Federal and, in many cases, also State.
Just having those federal and state power plays (GST anyone) ensures a vitriolic climate in our parliaments.
It's most certainly not in the best interests of us Hoi Polloi who are supposedly the grateful recipients of "good government"
The danger for Abbott will come from Queensland risky blunt privatisations, if they chop all the jobs there without developing the economy and creating new jobs, PPP or other, it will hurt far more than the change of premier in Victoria and NT, specially if the downturn in job opportunities hits before Septembre and rebuilding from the flood and recent cyclones is depleted by the tax take.
Some people talk of Rudd returning to the Labor leadership.
Rudd was removed because he was useless, no-one could work with him and the party 'lost its way'.
It would be a foolish move of Labor to bring Rudd back. I don't think the public appreciate the level of self-destruct mode that the Labor party would go into if Rudd returned!
Rudd's 'slick' talking might be popular with the public, but that does not change the fact that he could not run a government (many QLD people already told us that) and many people could not (and refuse to) work under his autocratic management style.
And how would a Rudd return be explained ? The party REALly lost its way under Julia and Rudd wasn't that bad afterall ? We made a mistake ? The Liberals would be given instant ammunition!
And to those who want Rudd back just so that they can vote him out, I would suggest that we don't want Rudd back at any time or at any price!
I remember when labour lost in NSW. There was a feeling of relief, it wasn't animosity towards labour, it was pure relief, that we could get away from factional power plays. The power of the NSW right was scary.
Craig Thompson, singing ministers, ministers that want to create marine parks larger than Europe, ministers that cant project the difference between $3 billion and $168 million, the continual desire to replace the states, the desire to muzzle free speech.
I've had enough and I voted for them. Tony could not be worse.
Yep "Tony could not be worse", One has to remember that Howard was fairly inept, in fact cringe worthy, when he became P.M. He grew into the job, and love him or hate him, he represented Australia or Australians rather well. JWH just hung around to long, and Rudd was a younger version o him. Even P.M. Gillard comes across as in charge whereas Abbott during interviews, does not. But, overall, like you, I want a change of government. Hopefully Abbott may surprise all of us. Cheers.
Little Kevie Dudd was given the flick because he was a spineless twirp - we the electorate are unanimouse on this one!! It's only the irresponsible media who think Labour's ills would be solved by his resurrection - mind the stench. The Coalition will win the next election, the booty however, will the greater depression!!!
Yes, Tony is not only under-cooked, he is raw. If Tony and his team win the next election; they won't get to serve a second term. We have had mediocrity thrust upon us in the way of government and opposition for over 5 years now, and if the liberals can't come up with something that's a lot better than what they are offering, they have a problem, and we have a problem as a nation. Tony won't be able to hide from the hard questions forever, and when the campaign proper gets under way, Julia and the media will make confetti out of him. Wake up Liberals, changing horses mid stream might not seem such a good idea, but it's better than sitting on you hands watching you chance to do something great for the country slip through them.
Why do you sindicate this garbage? If I wanted to read this type of rubbish I'd go out and get a green left weekly. Stop debasing yourself Business Spectator. Leave Grattan for the true (labor/communist) believers.