PM weighs in on SA election

[Gozu]

"Rudd accuses SA Libs of hiding leader"

"I know what Mike's are. I wouldn't have a clue what the alternative is, because their political strategy is to hide their Liberal leader and their policies under a carpet somewhere in the hope that nobody notices."

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-na ... -p9va.html

Deep breaths Jimmy, deep breaths!

[Jimmy_041]

Can only help the Liberals if he gets involved

I think most people in SA will think this when they get their Sydney Morning Herald on their front doorstep this morning

Does he know we're not in Sydney?

[mick]

Is the boring beige beaurocrat an asset to the state ALP campaign? People are starting to wake up to Kev07 or the spin and blind 'em with bullshit type of politician.

[redandblack]

Can only help the Liberals if he gets involved

I think most people in SA will think this when they get their Sydney Morning Herald on their front doorstep this morning

Does he know we're not in Sydney?

I'm not sure that Kevin Rudd has any say in who prints what where, Jimmy

[Jimmy_041]

That's what happens when you try to cage a wild animal - it will always come back to bite you

[redandblack]

That's what happens when you try to cage a wild animal - it will always come back to bite you

Whatever makes you happy, Jimmy

[Jimmy_041]

When you go back and read Rudd's comments last Saturday (as per your link)

"I have not had the opportunity to meet that (Liberal) leader. More importantly, I have not actually seen what their policy is on health, on hospitals," Mr Rudd told reporters.

"To engage with a government, you have actually got to know what their policies are.

"I know what Mike's are.

and then today:

Health by stealth - Federal health reform on the way
The Advertiser March 02, 2010 12:00AM

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd will move to seize control of hospital funding from the states in a provocative shake-up of the nation's health system, to be announced this week.

The states will no longer be given federal money to run their public hospital systems.

Instead, Mr Rudd will directly fund regional health authorities, who will be in charge of running public hospitals in their regions.

The states currently manage about 60 per cent of hospital funding. They will be forced to hand over this money to a new central national health funding pool so it can be distributed direct to hospitals.

He knows what Mike's policy is on health and hospitals so he's going to take it over federally????????

Does Rudd not remember what he said a couple of days before or is this not a major #### up?

[redandblack]

Why would it be a major stuff up?

Rudd's been criticised for not keeping his promise on the Government acting on hospitals and now he's acting. Nothing in those quotes contradict that

How about Duncan McFetridge on 891 this morning. He had no idea about the Liberal hospital costings. I think they were based on what a friend of an architect said to a mate who knew someone at a Liberal branch and said "I reckon we can save a billion here".

[southee]

Keep talking Kev....

The way you are f**king up everything you touch at the moment, this can only be a good thing for the Liberals here.


...and if the Liberals win here I can just see it. Kev quoting " Lets not sugar coat this....I am to blame...we need to improve...I take full responsibility!!!"

.....yawn!!!!!

[Jimmy_041]

Why would it be a major stuff up?

Rudd's been criticised for not keeping his promise on the Government acting on hospitals and now he's acting. Nothing in those quotes contradict that

How about Duncan McFetridge on 891 this morning. He had no idea about the Liberal hospital costings. I think they were based on what a friend of an architect said to a mate who knew someone at a Liberal branch and said "I reckon we can save a billion here".

Because on Saturday he says he knows what Mike's health and hospital policy is, and on Monday he's going to take it all away from him anyway. Why comment about Mike's health and hospital policy and the fact that the Libs haven't talked to you about theirs, when you know that on Monday, you are intend taking the responsibility away from either of them anyway.

I didn't hear Duncan McFetridge this morning, but it is usual for a Principal to appoint an architect/D&C firm to provide a plan for a building and they get the costing done. In fact, it would be very unusual for the Principal to appoint the QS directly unless they had a specific reason to do so.

[redandblack]

The costing was for accommodation only.

I'm sure the old RAH will be a great place for the next umpteen years with major building going on around everything.

Strange place, South Australia. One of the few places in the world where people moan when the Government says they'll build a brand new hospital.

[Psyber]

A bit of a side issue to the thread, but I'd be happy for there to be a full federal take over of public health care.
It would get rid of the dispute about who is responsible for which funding used by both sets of pollies to slide out of funding it adequately.

[Jimmy_041]

[quote="redandblack"]The costing was for accommodation only.

I'm sure the old RAH will be a great place for the next umpteen years with major building going on around everything.

Strange place, South Australia. One of the few places in the world where people moan when the Government says they'll build a brand new hospital.[/quote]

Have to agree with that one - but we did get rid of a Premier when he sacked a Police Commissioner. Very conservative place

BTW, one of the blokes I was dining with on Saturday night asked whether we have any cranes because he couldn't work out how the proposed changes were going to take 15 years. He was from the US - so maybe they can do it quicker over there

[Squawk]

I found it interesting that on the weekend the PM stood with the Premier and announced an overpass at McLaren Vale on the Victor Harbor Rd ($18m) and a $200m Medical Research facility. What no one asked - or no one was telling - was whether these commitments were contingent on a Labor victory in the state election? It was certainly implied that the announcements were part of the election circus.

Turn to Tasmania. A few days ago Minister Conroy stood side by side with (Labor) Premier Bartlett and announced $100m towards additional NBN programs. Someone down there asked Conroy if this would be a federal contribution regardless of the outcome of their election (being held on March 20 too, same as here). Conroy was forced to admit it would still be provided if Labor was not re-elected on March 20. Funnily enough, an announcement cropped up today that Willunga would trial new broadband facilities. I had tipped a similar announcement (or reannouncement) for Mawson - close but no cigar!

Also, Bligh announced 100,000 jobs would be created. Bartlett in Tas has pledged to create 15,000 jobs. Now, Rann has pledged 100,000 jobs will be created in 6 years. However, if you look at the detail, it includes projected jobs growth of 70,000 in the same period, and a further 5,000 "jobs" a year for six years which are really training opportunities rather than jobs. One assumes that defence jobs growth will cater for this pledge. However, it represents growth of an additional 0.08% per annum for the state, from 1.92% to 2% per annum.

If you watch the Tassie announcements, a few of them seem to follow through in SA.

[Squawk]

I had tipped a similar announcement (or reannouncement) for Mawson - close but no cigar!

Willunga is in Mawson
I tipped correctly after all!

[redandblack]

Very interesting point, squawk.