Kevin Rudd finished?

[FPV8U]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Yep.. they'll want to capitalise on the "vote for a woman, its cool" vote while its hot...

The sooner people start to vote for party policy rather than the figurehead who gets to speak for the party the better we'll all be....

Thing is with that Kath & Kim tone she has going she will definitly apeal to the bogan masses

Hopefully the Millions in red will overcome the lady with red hair..

[SVD]

Originally Posted by prydey

yep, humans are a fickle bunch. howard got voted out because he wouldn't commit to a full term and no one wanted costello. gillard will possibly get voted in because of the novelty of having a female pm. policies don't even come into it.


then we jump on a forum and whinge about the govt....

Don't forget Howard's work choices...

In reality, i feel bad for Rudd...but i was still gonna give him the flick, and the labor party, as long as Conroy is still around...

In all fairness, we are getting royally screwed when it comes to the mining industry...

this is roughly the amount of royalties that have been paid in different year brackets

1990 1 in 2 dollars from mining went to Australia
2000 1 in 3 dollars from mining went to Australia
2010 1 in 10 dollars from mining went to Australia

roughly...
I believe Mark Knight summed it up brilliantly with a comic he had in the paper not long ago, basically it was a rolls royce ute with two of the Mining exec's sitting on the back with a couple bails of hay, a driver escorting them around the two execs using megaphones going on how the tax will ruin everything at that every australian should be outraged that australia will loose everything...and in the back-ground all the Australian people are following them saying, yes!

It is unfortunate that the Super Tax was his undoing, but i believe it is something that needs to be rectified!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Thing is with that Kath & Kim tone she has going she will definitly apeal to the bogan masses

if she comes out and says - if you vote for me, i'll keep my mouth shut - she'll win in a landslide!!

[|||]

the gloss will wear off julia before the election. tony is a good catholic man with sound christian values. his seminary training will ensure anything the secular gillard can throw at him will be water off a duck's back.

[XAGSV8]

SVD don't believe everything the pollies tell you. Remember they have parliamentary privilege yet the mining industry is forced by law to tell the truth. We are not getting screwed by the mining companies. They are the real reason we did not go into recession. You also have to understand the amount of money they pump back into Australia in infrustructure and employment. For every 5 people they directly employ there are at least another 2 who have a job indirectly in the towns they operate in.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by XAGSV8

don't believe everything the pollies tell you.

oh come now, you're not suggesting they don't tell the truth now are you? surely not!

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Thing is with that Kath & Kim tone she has going she will definitly apeal to the bogan masses

Hopefully the Millions in red will overcome the lady with red hair..

Lol yes "Kath" is now PM!!

[AUIIPURSUIT]

rudd was all about change from howard, in reality he mirrored everything howard would have done.

gilly will be no different to rudd, nor would abbott truely be any different (asides from being a bit of a nutter).

The problem is policys are made to win elections, not to be implemented and improve our beautiful country.

[GT]

When Skaife gets his tutoring in the English language, Ms Gillard might like to join him. Someone needs to tell her that it is a political party NOT a political pardy!

GT

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by |||

the gloss will wear off julia before the election. tony is a good catholic man with sound christian values. his seminary training will ensure anything the secular gillard can throw at him will be water off a duck's back.

And why exactly is this relevant?

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by AUIIPURSUIT

rudd was all about change from howard, in reality he mirrored everything howard would have done.

gilly will be no different to rudd, nor would abbott truely be any different (asides from being a bit of a nutter).

The problem is policys are made to win elections, not to be implemented and improve our beautiful country.

Yes.. And history will show people will vote for what makes them happiest, not what's best for the country..
Rarely will people support tough decisions made for the better of the country if it means going without yourself.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by GT

When Skaife gets his tutoring in the English language, Ms Gillard might like to join him. Someone needs to tell her that it is a political party NOT a political pardy!

GT

Well she is from "fountain lakes" lol.!

[prydey]

we should start a counter for every time she mentions 'working families'. it would rival the overall post count on these boards in quick time.

[Romulus]

I heard today Andew Robb say that Kevin Rudd was voted in because he was everthing in John Howard that people liked, and everthing that people disliked about John Howard. I believe there is a lot of truth in that. Now that Rudd is gone and Gillard is in due to Rudd having virtually no factional support we truly get to find out who's running the ALP and where it is heading.

I'd say it was an unprecedented event. Heck, it even broke regular commercial TV programming to announce what was going on (except Ch.10 )

[jaysway]

great news for Australia, once Gillard is gone things will be even better.

Kevin Rudd's gotta be one of the worst PM Australia has ever had.

[Dr Jekkyl]

Originally Posted by XAGSV8

We are not getting screwed by the mining companies. They are the real reason we did not go into recession. You also have to understand the amount of money they pump back into Australia in infrustructure and employment. For every 5 people they directly employ there are at least another 2 who have a job indirectly in the towns they operate in.

I can understand how someone might be very enthused by the mining industry in Australia. Especially if employed directly or indirectly by it. It is also easy to get caught up in the industry spin. Yes it creates jobs, yes it creates significant revenue for government, (not so sure about infrastructure), etc. BUT at the end of the day it employs only a small amount of Australian people. That number is approximately 178,000 which equates to around 1% of the Australian workforce. So if we also factor in indirect employment by your 5:2 ratio, that figure jumps to 1.4% - SFA really. There is an argument that an 'economic multiplier' of magnitude 4 is created by this industry i.e. for every mining job, 4 others are created. If we consider however that mining employs 6% of WA's population, then 1 in 4 people under this model are employed thanks to the mining industry. I feel very confident in saying that this is NOT the case.Undoubtedly the industry did play some part of Australia's avoiding of recession but to say that it was the sole, or at least major reason is foolish. Hell, mining shed ~15% of its workforce during the GFC. If every other industry acted this way then the s#*t really would have hit the fan.

On a related note, if one is to spruik the avoidance of recession being facilitated by mining then they too must concede that the impressive economic growth achieved under the Howard govt was also due to this and not superior economic management. Furthermore, this industry is also calling for the implementation of permits to employ foreign labour on a reasonably large scale. How does that grab the xenophobes?

I am perplexed as to how anybody could actually think that the mining industry has the best interests of the nation, or its people, at heart. The benefits of the mining of finite resources which ALL Australians can lay claim to are limited. The downsides are conversely experienced by many, many more and include, but are not limited to, housing pressures, wage pressures, environmental degradation and the decline of other industries, hence jobs.

So long as there are mineral deposits on this continent, mining companies will pillage the land to make a buck, regardless of a resources tax or not. One thing is for sure though - as soon as the mineral reserves are gone so too will the mining companies. I think it would we wise for this nation to get in now for our deserved share - only 3 things stand in the way of this; the mining plutocracy, their bed-fellows the Liberal Party and the gullible swinging voter.

[|||]

Originally Posted by Bad Bird

And why exactly is this relevant?

tony's strong catholic faith is an important difference between the future liberal government and the current labor government. his strong stand against the abortion drug RU486 when he was health minister and his views on sex outside marriage show he has best interests of the nation at heart.

[RG]

Originally Posted by |||

tony's strong catholic faith is an important difference between the future liberal government and the current labor government. his strong stand against the abortion drug RU486 when he was health minister and his views on sex outside marriage show he has best interests of the nation at heart.

I'm a staunch Liberal supporter and even I think he went too far with that.

He has an opinion and a personal belief on these things, as quite obviously you do too, but he cannot allow his beliefs to get in the way of what the general populous wants.

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by RG

he cannot allow his beliefs to get in the way of what the general populous wants.

Just like Conroy doesn't let his personal beliefs influence this net filter he wants.

And just like Atkinson didn't let his personal beliefs influence his decision towards an "R" rating for video games.

As much as I don't care if people follow whatever religion or beliefs they want to, when they try to force it upon me it then becomes a case of I really don't like what's being done. And when its a politician doing it, well, it REALLY makes me get angry.

[russellw]

Another win for party politics and another loss for the principles of democracy.

Whatever any cares to say in theory, the reality is that the majority vote based on the leadership of the pardy (sic) in much the same way as our American cousins do. To then allow internal wrangling in the party to change what the voters wanted (even if they don't now) is hardly upholding the tenets of democracy.

Cheers
Russ

[flappist]

There is a story coming out of Canberra then when Comrade Kev was elected the Australian Protective Service were a bit worried about the safety of the then new Prime Minister.

Their advice was simple, appoint Julia Gillard as Deputy PM.

When Kev asked why they replied, "Well if you are ever assassinated she will be running the country and therefore no logical thinking person who has any love at all for the people of Australia or positive thoughts for the future of this great land would ever consider doing it".

I suspect they may have been right......

[pottery beige]

Great stuff we're a maccas franchise now.. with that crazy red headed clown running around the joint...

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by flappist

There is a story coming out of Canberra then when Comrade Kev was elected the Australian Protective Service were a bit worried about the safety of the then new Prime Minister.

Their advice was simple, appoint Julia Gillard as Deputy PM.

When Kev asked why they replied, "Well if you are ever assassinated she will be running the country and therefore no logical thinking person who has any love at all for the people of Australia or positive thoughts for the future of this great land would ever consider doing it".

I suspect they may have been right......

Yet ironically he was "assassinated" by his own....

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by |||

tony's strong catholic faith is an important difference between the future liberal government and the current labor government. his strong stand against the abortion drug RU486 when he was health minister and his views on sex outside marriage show he has best interests of the nation at heart.

Separation of church and State. How dare a politician tell me what not to do in the bedroom, particularly when the view is completely non-scientific.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by flappist

What challenge?

All I see on TV is promos for the 8th Book, "Harry Potter and the Cabinet of Bastards".

Harry Potter takes on the fat Dragons in the fabled Cave of Riches but while he is not looking the is a coup at Hogwarts and Ginny Weasley is now the house captain of Griffendor. Meanwhile in the house of Sliverin Malfoy is plotting and scheming in a search for the elusive "Policy of credibility" that will allow him to claim his place as house captain and school champion in the national criddich match to be held in november, the same match that was lost by voldemort 3 years ago.

Will Harry rise from the ashes phoenix like to reclaim his place?
Will Ginny lead Griffindor blindly into the lost jungle of opposition?
Will Malfoy wear budgy smuglers while riding his broom?
And what of the evil Fairy, Brownstain from the emerald forest to the south?

Harry Potter and the Cabinet of Bastards, lucky it could not actually happen......

how apt is this...

very clever flappist.

[SpoolMan]

It appears we have a shift change in allowing political statements.
.
In a few months you will all get your say at the ballot box, then come back here and say she is not good for the Country ( ) even when elected democratically.
Surely someone has a chance to put there stamp on things and not to be judged by there hair color or gender.
I suppose that's how your side of politics views things, its intelligent statement to judge someone one on there hair color, gender, race or religion, etc..
Statements like this belong in the dark ages, as a Father of 2 and pop of 5 granddaughters, I would like to think that they can succeed without being judged regardless of the gender and 2 of them having there lovely red (ranga) hair...
Good Luck to our new PM..

[FPV8U]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

It appears we have a shift change in allowing political statements.
.
In a few months you will all get your say at the ballot box, then come back here and say she is not good for the Country ( ) even when elected democratically.
Surely someone has a chance to put there stamp on things and not to be judged by there hair color or gender.
I suppose that's how your side of politics views things, its intelligent statement to judge someone one on there hair color, gender, race or religion, etc..
Statements like this belong in the dark ages, as a Father of 2 and pop of 5 granddaughters, I would like to think that they can succeed without being judged regardless of the gender and 2 of them having there lovely red (ranga) hair...
Good Luck to our new PM..

I don't think many on here are picking because she is a women or because she has red hair, but like all leaders before her, appearance is where the jokes will come from like K/Rudds Dexter reference for example, John Howards voice was consistantly mocked on programs such as Rove..

All good fun Mark, lets not make it a serious political thread thats where the real knives come out

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by Dr Jekkyl

I can understand how someone might be very enthused by the mining industry in Australia. Especially if employed directly or indirectly by it. It is also easy to get caught up in the industry spin. Yes it creates jobs, yes it creates significant revenue for government, (not so sure about infrastructure), etc. BUT at the end of the day it employs only a small amount of Australian people. That number is approximately 178,000 which equates to around 1% of the Australian workforce. So if we also factor in indirect employment by your 5:2 ratio, that figure jumps to 1.4% - SFA really. There is an argument that an 'economic multiplier' of magnitude 4 is created by this industry i.e. for every mining job, 4 others are created. If we consider however that mining employs 6% of WA's population, then 1 in 4 people under this model are employed thanks to the mining industry. I feel very confident in saying that this is NOT the case.Undoubtedly the industry did play some part of Australia's avoiding of recession but to say that it was the sole, or at least major reason is foolish. Hell, mining shed ~15% of its workforce during the GFC. If every other industry acted this way then the s#*t really would have hit the fan.

On a related note, if one is to spruik the avoidance of recession being facilitated by mining then they too must concede that the impressive economic growth achieved under the Howard govt was also due to this and not superior economic management. Furthermore, this industry is also calling for the implementation of permits to employ foreign labour on a reasonably large scale. How does that grab the xenophobes?

I am perplexed as to how anybody could actually think that the mining industry has the best interests of the nation, or its people, at heart. The benefits of the mining of finite resources which ALL Australians can lay claim to are limited. The downsides are conversely experienced by many, many more and include, but are not limited to, housing pressures, wage pressures, environmental degradation and the decline of other industries, hence jobs.

So long as there are mineral deposits on this continent, mining companies will pillage the land to make a buck, regardless of a resources tax or not. One thing is for sure though - as soon as the mineral reserves are gone so too will the mining companies. I think it would we wise for this nation to get in now for our deserved share - only 3 things stand in the way of this; the mining plutocracy, their bed-fellows the Liberal Party and the gullible swinging voter.

FINALLY!! A post in this tread based on knowledge and FACTS. How anyone could say the mining tax is a bad idea is beyond me. Maybe some details need improving, maybe some compromises need to be made, but as a concept its sound. How can the miners pack up and leave? To go where?? They are pulling precious metals out of the ground, they'll do it where ever these metals exist regardless of costs.

The reasons given for Rudds demise (personality issues, unable to effectively delegate etc) seem believable, but the timing worries me a lot. If it was indeed the mining tax that was his downfall, then this country isn't been run by a democratically elected government, never has been, and never will be. Its being run by big business. And thats a big problem.

Originally Posted by |||

tony's strong catholic faith is an important difference between the future liberal government and the current labor government. his strong stand against the abortion drug RU486 when he was health minister and his views on sex outside marriage show he has best interests of the nation at heart.

Ummm no, it simply shows he's a fanatical nutbag stuck in the previous century who has absolutely no place in any political party in any part of the world, ESPECIALLY one with power in a supposed developed nation. If this guy gets elected in, it would be nothing short of a disaster. It would push Australia even further behind the rest of the world, leaving us nothing more than a pathetic laughing stock. Religion and conservatism have no place in politics. The world is changing rapidly, we need leadership that looks forward, not back.


So there is a FF rule that states no political discussions? I didn't know that. Doesn't really seem necessary though, seeing as 99% of comments on this thread are coming from the hard right. If most of you here share the same political views, I wouldn't have thought political discussions would cause any problems.

Coming from the left side of politics, my view on the leadership change is that its a bit messed up, all a bit dirty. Complaining about not having an elected pm is valid, but there will be an election soon anyway. I find the whole first female PM thing annoying. I guess i is a big deal with her being the first, but at the end of the day I just dont care. The PM can be male, female, somewhere inbetween, black, white, straight, gay, whatever! Its all completely irrelevant. Their ability to run the country is all that matters, and anyone who votes for gillard just because she is a she shouldn't be voting at all.

Rudds popularity had fallen and there were doubts he could win the next election. As plenty here have mentioned, the PM is just the figurehead for the party and this change wont achieve much in the way of policy. But, if it helps keep the Liberal party out of power, then in my opinion its a very good thing. A bad for the greater good if you like.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

All good fun Mark, lets not make it a serious political thread thats where the real knives come out

Hi Jase, I see this is the reason why we not supposed to have political, race, religious, etc, discussions, what some say is fun others may see it differently and it may offend someone.
If the thread is about hair color which dominates the posts perhaps we should have a stylist Forum.

[FPV8U]

Fair enough Mark, probably a bad habbit of mine having a few Rednut friends, Im used to plenty of friendly ribbings while he is busy kicking my @$$ in workout sessions