Prime minister at-least-he’s-not-Howard
Australian issues, Labor politics - - Posted on August, 26 at 1:41 pm by Ken L
Is it permissible to speak harshly of the Rudd Government yet?
Prior to the election, the merest hint of criticism would bring out the Labor attack dogs, furiously defending St Kevin with accusations that I must be a Liberal party mole or secretly in the pay of Rupert Murdoch or something equally absurd. Just wait until he’s elected and then you’ll see what he’s really like, was the purported progessives’ line (echoed, curiously, by Lib supporters who predicted that Julia Gillard would be PM by now, calling into the ACTU every morning to pick up her instructions).
Post-election the story changed. Then we were reminded that the ghost of governments past still controlled the Senate. Just wait until the new Senate takes its place, ran the reassuring line, and you’ll see Kevin’s real agenda.
Well it’s almost September, and what are we seeing (apart from pictures of Kevin in a silly shirt, looking like Elton John’s younger brother)? Well, for one thing we’re seeing welfare reform. First, there’s a proposal to stop the kid glove treatment of unemployed 55 year olds.
A draft report commissioned for the Government, obtained by The Australian’s Patricia Karvelas this week, includes a positive proposal that would oblige unemployed people over 55 to seek full-time work in order to receive benefits - the same provision that now applies to younger workers.
60 year old process workers and storemen about to be retrenched after a lifetime’s employment by Ford must be heartened by the news that if they want income support in future, they might have to fill in job seeker diaries and do work for the dole with the 18 year old druggies. Well at least it’s true to the great Australian ideal of treating everyone the same.
But it’s only a proposal, you say, not government policy yet. That’s true, but this is:
Labor backbenchers have raised concerns about the government’s plan to suspend welfare payments to parents who don’t send their children to school.
This comments thread over at LP does a good job of explaining why this is a particularly stupid idea so I won’t add my two cents’ worth. My point is a broader one: that these kinds of actions are just more evidence of the values and attitudes that Kevin and company bring to government. They are of a piece with other actions such as:
- the transparent joke of a Haneef inquiry;
- the cynical exercise of the 2020 Summit designed to get progressive potential critics inside the tent where they could do no damage;
- promises to strengthen the relationship with the US (at least Lord Downer managed to maintain a slightly patronising tone when talking about ‘the Americans’, as befits a member of the British aristocracy, but Stephen Smith’s simpering ‘aaaww look Condi’s meeting my family just like she’s a regular friend of ours!’ schtick was just pathetic);
- commitments to ramp up our presence in the pointless occupation of Afghanistan while lecturing NATO members on their responsibilities;
- most remarkably, ahistorical nonsense like this from members of the Rudd cabinet (sample: ‘Twenty-first century mysticism and superstition is finding expression in the big environmental debates.’ Andrew Bolt could not have said it better.)
Just before the last election, Ross Gittins presciently explained why a Rudd Government would be little different to a re-elected Howard Government. He’s a clever man.
But wait! I can hear the voices of the pigs ALP faithful clamouring to defend their heroes in Canberra - the ones who drove out the farmer Dark Lord! “For god’s sake Ken,” they are crying, “There’s an election in 2010! Do you want the men Liberals to come back?”
Just wait until Labor sweeps both houses in, oh, 2019. Then you’ll see the progressive policies Kevin Rudd is sincerely desperate to introduce. For now, just be patient and enjoy poll-watching like genuine Labor supporters. Ooooo look, we’re up another point today!! Sucks to be you, Brendan!!!!!
Posted in Australian issues, Labor politics |
August 26th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Yes, two more months and the Rudd government has been in office for a year. Apart from some symbolic things what have they actually done in that time?
And weren’t we fooled with the arguments that Gillard could never be PM because she’s an ALP lefty? Ha ha … ALP left! There ain’t no such thing.
If the Liberals ever manage to get their leadership problems settled and give themselves a strong leader then the Rudd government could end up a one-termer.
Rudd’s hectoring, lecturing, talking-down manner is soooo irritating. Reminds me of those wimpy, weasily type men that I had to suffer under in Sunday school.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Oh, and yes, at-least-he’s-not-Howard but is he much better? Rooly and trooly?
August 26th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Don’t forget HECS for Tafe, which is going to make more people want to go there, and thus improve the skills shortage.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Rudd wouldn’t be my first pick and the changes he’ll make won’t be huge, but at least they are in the right direction. Getting rid of Howard was essential to stop going backwards, and there have been some important steps forwards since then.
Agreed that Rudd could have moved Australia further, but probably not much further since the Senate is a hung senate. In my opinion Rudd is overly cautious because the population at large is further left than he thinks and would accept larger changes if he made them, but the only way to push Rudd in that direction is to vote in a Green BOP Senate in 2010.
August 26th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I am having the same misgivings. Rudd is starting to remind me of Bob Carr the great political stylist who did nothing for NSW in 10 years and now we are seeing the results. He has too many old Carr people surrounding him and he should give them the flick. And you left the Building Commission of your list that is one of he most appalling bodies I have ever seen. Stalinist Russia would have thought it was a bit over the top. Get rid of it now. I am starting to think I could live with a Lib Govt if Turnbull was in charge. If he become opp leader he culd get rid of all those drones sitting in safe liberals seats courtesy of John Howard who just filled thepariament up with supporters Jackie Kelly was not the worst of them by any menas.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
We are pleased that our protege has rejected the road to serfdom. Pretty soon, y’all wil be saying, “we are all Gillardites now.”
Gillard and Rudd were always going to take a blowtorch to the rancid deadbeats in the AEU. Let’s pray they have the stomach to go for deregistration!
Mark my words, Luvvies, The Lady will not be for turning!
August 26th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I reckon this government’s strategy is just about spot on. There’s been a few bumps in the road…but some were constructed. Necessary I now realise. Patience IS a virtue.
The Libs have been swept into a net and are being dragged along the reef. It smarts. And it’s quite satisfying to watch. They’ll be set free on an isolated island soon enuff. Can’t wait to see who survives the Liberal Party version of ‘Lord of the Flies’.
I’d focus on a few State elections if I were them. Kev from QLD is here to stay. And the mainstream media just gets dumber & more shrill & irritating by the moment. As do some tricky dick blog commentors & those disgruntled Greenies who can’t see beyond a few months.
I don’t visit mainstream sites or papers much anymore. Rarely. It’s like visiting an old, rundown cinema these days. Been there, done that. Far too stale & smelly & in need of maintenance & a spring clean. Visiting some media sites are like visiting the crap show in Vegas…all glitz, seediness & worn out celebrity promotion…no quality…just a desperate desire to make moolah.
Besides, why bother hitting their sites?…they often nick our words & views anyway…barely an original idea in…site…:) Perhaps they need more new hands like Tim Dunlop…& to retire their old salesmen & women?
Not to mention the head honchos…:)
Beaut day.
Wasn’t Edward Kennedy somethin’? Loved the flick…the pics of him and his brothers…the thought of what coulda been…still remember Bobby’s death & funeral shown on TV as some of the most powerful images in my early years…the grief of my family…people everywhere…the sense of HOPE & JUSTICE abandoned…got tears a streamin’ this avo…ahhh memories.
But we have a future filled with goals that need to be realised…as we sail towards the New World. Hopefully away from FEAR, HATE, DIVISION, monopolisation & war-mongering.
And as for Michelle Obama…that’s one articulate, gorgeous & talented lady…& those two beautiful girls…more tears.
I’m too soft by half sometimes.
Seein’ Costello doing his Madness of King George impression in parliament today said it all for me. And “Bomber” McCain stirrin’ up more sh*t over the Georgia VS Russia game.
I know which GAME i’d rather play. And it doesn’t contain war machines, socially irresponsible corporations and machines that squeeze workers, their protectors/negotiators & the compassionate into juice to be drunk by THE HAVES.
N’
August 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Kevin’s turning out to be a major disappointment, true, but it still sucks to be Brendan.
When Kevin follows McCain into whatever war that maniac dreams up, it will still suck to be Brendan.
When Kevin bans the wearing of leotards and tutus by under-18s in case paedophiles see them, it will still suck to be Brendan.
When Kevin bans dancing on Sundays and it sucks to be us, it will still suck worse to be Brendan.
August 26th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
An object will remain at rest or in motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force.
That force could be something like leadership. Our current populist PM didn’t win the election… out previous populist PM lost it. Time will tell.
August 26th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I ain’t disappointed in Rudd. Cause I never expected too much of him to start with. I never deluded myself he was going to be anything but a conservative technocratic Labor leader who would disappoint many of the more idealistic left.
But the only other choice on offer was more of HowardCo, and in my books RuddCo are still a substantially better choice, if for no other reason then Howard’s stranglehold on power and the nation’s psyche needed to broken, and the cycle of political renewal restarted and moved forward.
Hands up how many of you would now prefer we had kept Mr H and his merry band?
I thought so.
In life, and certainly in politics, you often only get to choose the least worst option. Sad, but that is reality. Always has been, always will be.
Besides not stuffing the economy or handing the country over to a foreign power, my main tests for Rudd are (in no particular order):
1. Handling of the climate change issue.
2. Treatment of the less fortunate.
3. Reintroducing proper due process and transparency of democratic governance.
Time will tell.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Go along with you Seeks, about sums it up.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Perhaps our Pollies need to wear masks!?Not because they are the political equivalent of the one armed bandits,pokies,but,I am so familiar with the more important amongst them,often I cannot tell a sincerely held thought from a public prop,and, I know I am not the only one. And do Leftwards ideas from Australia automatically get shat upon from the almighty American Eagle!? I bet even the dreaded Republican soldiers would like to see hear or read something they can try now and again,even if their bristles on their backs cannot stand it being Australian.Be more eloquent I say, they maybe oppurtunists ,but,one can get bored with same responses to everything!?Even if I have disliked,most of what they have done lately,I go a bit soft on them when I see some of the injured returnees!?Its bad enough thinking as a whole the U.S. is doing.Ever since I read in a National Geographic a Vietnam Returnee going over to Russia to help Chernobyl victims especially the brave workers,I saw an American..and I immediately liked him. And knew some pain that wasnt expressed in his face.Don’t wonder what that pain is,he will be reliving it today,if still alive!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Mars @9 beat me to it, but I still believe it was fitting that Kev won because he wasn’t Howard, considering Howard was only there because he wasn’t Keating.
And yes, it sucks to be Brendan.
Australian politics is in a really sad state.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Yep, I’m definitely warming to young Kevin. Might be a chip off the old block yet and I see he’s not in any hurry to kowtow to the Building union thugs and disband their nemesis in the ABCC. Now if we can just get him to give up this dopey cap and trade nonsense. Still, the BCA are bringing him up to pace on that. Bit of work to do on him yet, but promising signs nevertheless.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Oh givvem a break .. it’s all about giving .. errm, whassisname the chance to yell across the table “We’re holding on to the surplus!!”
Can remember battling Keating’s “SS” department troops as a 45 year old. So far, the “Centrelink” personnel have been very understanding to a 63 year old.
(PS, have only just signed up, am waiting to see what sort of “cultural change” may, or may not happen .. heh.)
August 27th, 2008 at 1:47 am
PPS, maths was never my strong point .. heh.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Here’s Rudd’s big looming problem by the way-
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JH27Dj01.html
An economy about to go into freefall and a rapidly shrinking tax base with lots more hungry mouths to feed. No more frivolous, political luxuries like Fuelwatch and Pricewatch Swanny, although there won’t be quite the need for C&T, with a rapidly shrinking economy. The Reserve will be in two minds about cutting interest rates with a falling dollar now as well, for fear of further falls in its value and the inevitable imported inflation that will bring. Also they’ll be afraid the banks won’t follow them down as lenders require a higher risk premium as well as real returns, particularly now the inflation genie is out of the bottle and running amok. We live in interesting times again. Cash and bullion are king now folks, due to past central bankers’ stupidity. It’s a toss up between 1930s depression and 1970s stagflation soon by the looks of things.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
We know that the world economy is going downwards. It certainly looks like it was bad timing for poor Kevin.
But while some will jump with glee that a recession may decrease Labor’s electoral standing what would be the Coalition’s response?
Abbott may want to call it ‘Rudd’s recession’ (I am sure Rudd must had something to to with world oil prices and sub-prime lending in the USA) but what is their strategy? Appoint Costello and wait for his magic to innoculate us from the global economy ills?
In regards to Rudd of course we can criticise him. But as Seeker stated I never expected him to be a reformist in the Withlam/Hawke mode. I have already lived in this mode under Steve Bracks so I knew what we were getting.
I have voted Green in the last election. But I must say that so far actually attempting to implement some carbon emission policies (against a barrage of interests) and the abandonment of Howard’s most punitive and nasty refugee policies has got some ticks from me.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:41 am
I thought this was effective:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCascXW_EBE
and how Rudd came out on stage at the Labor convention, sleek & modern…saying:
I’m Kevin from Queensland…& I’m here to help”
I love those James Bond type approaches.
N’
P.S. Hillary, Casey, the dude from Montana, Warner & Kucinich kicked arse. And the Governor of Arizona. Chelsea stole my heart…Gretta Garbo goes to the Congress. And Charles Barkley (I think that’s his name…basketballer) needs to take Alabama. That guy is so “down-to-earth”.
Hill’s flick was brill…pumped…passionate…made me feel proud of her efforts.
FOX NEWS is working over-time to SPIN…DESPERATE stuff. The Repugs & their enablers are REAL worried.
NO WAY, NO HOW…NO McCAIN
McCAIN votes w/ Bush more than 90+%…he’s no maverick…he’s a sidekick. (Casey from Pennsylvannia…far out)
August 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Only nine months in and the majority of us already have very fixed opinions as to
what is wrong with his administration and how to fix it… meanwhile most of us can’t predict with any accuracy what color socks we will be wearing this time next week let alone the ALP’s destiny and direction.
As Kevin was so fond of telling us before the last election, “The buck stops with me”, well in about two and a bit years it may well again stop with us the Australian public and the unfortunate politician leading the Liberal party that month.
History repeating itself, we’ll all have to sit tight and see.
August 30th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I wonder what the effects of de-registering the AEU might be? Would having no employee representation in dealings with the Education Department make teaching a more or less attractive option for potential employees? The Education Department seems to rely on the AEU to mediate disputes with employees rather than having the ability or will to dialogue and negotiate at a school or regional level. How would teacher wages be determined, given that government is the sole employer of teachers (even private school teachers are effectively paid by the Government). Does John Greenfield have anything to say beyond puerile sloganeering?
August 30th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
On the evidence no, captain, apart from an extensive line in personal abuse. I surmise that he’s been banned at LP and now wants to take up his fight here. I can only ask people not to indulge him. Comments that personally attack other commenters (or me for that matter) will just be deleted without argument or explanation - I’m sick of them, not only here but on blogs generally.
August 30th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Screw you Ken!!!!
(Just checking)
August 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Making exceptions? Where will that get us?
August 30th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
This excerpt from today’s Mahablog (another blogger who summarily ejects wingnut dickheads without seeing the need to justify or explain) seems serendipitously apt: