Redheaded ex-Socialist woman now Prime Minister

[bulldogproud]

Well, Rudd has the fortitude to go against Bush on Kyoto and on withdrawing troops. Two of the biggest 'puppet acts' now gone.
Cheers

Well they were pretty important promises that helped bring him to power, naturally he would have to uphold them.

Little Johnny - and each individual will decide for themself if it was right or wrong - At least stuck to what he believed to be in the country's best interest even if it was unpopular.

Personally, I'm not unhappy with either of them and their direction.

Oh yes, the man who believed in Weapons of Mass Destruction being in Iraq despite admitting after the election that he knew it was false. He did the same with the 'children overboard' scandal and the 'Wheat Board saga'. All these were lies brought out to win him elections. Yes, he very much believed in what he said!!

[Punk Rooster]

BP,
Brace yourself for this explosive news- "ALL Politicians LIE!"
(well, bend the truth... )

[bulldogproud]

Agreed, Punk. Believe it or not that is why I was discouraged from running for a seat in my younger days. I was told that the lies you had to tell in the political system would have broken me!
Cheers

[topsywaldron]

Wasn't specifically thinking the unions BDP, but I'm sure they exercise some influence over the ALP.

As opposed to Big Business, which had NO influence over the Liberals of course.

[bulldogproud]

I was at a talk given by Tim Costello a few weeks ago and it was interesting to hear how much Peter's views differed from John Howard's. In fact, interestingly Peter would have pretty much adopted a lot of the policies of the ALP given a chance to be his own man.
Cheers

[JK]

Well, Rudd has the fortitude to go against Bush on Kyoto and on withdrawing troops. Two of the biggest 'puppet acts' now gone.
Cheers

Well they were pretty important promises that helped bring him to power, naturally he would have to uphold them.

Little Johnny - and each individual will decide for themself if it was right or wrong - At least stuck to what he believed to be in the country's best interest even if it was unpopular.

Personally, I'm not unhappy with either of them and their direction.

Oh yes, the man who believed in Weapons of Mass Destruction being in Iraq despite admitting after the election that he knew it was false. He did the same with the 'children overboard' scandal and the 'Wheat Board saga'. All these were lies brought out to win him elections. Yes, he very much believed in what he said!!

All good and well to sprout your one sided viewpoint when the new government hasn't had time yet to fall upon their own sword ... They all do somewhere along the line, at some point in time, (genuinely) happy for this government or any other to surprise me.

[bulldogproud]

True, they all do. Part of that reason is that no government has full control over what happens in Australia. If the US goes into recession, many countries including Australia, will suffer. There is not all that much difference between the Labor Government and the Liberal Party re policies to tell you the truth.
Cheers

[Wedgie]

First time I woman has ever been in charge of the country!!!!!.

Congratulations LL!
When did you have the op?

[smac]

Ahh, Paul Keating. The man who gave us Enterprise Bargaining which has been responsible for much of the success of the Australian economy. The difference between that and the Howard IR laws though were that Enterprise Bargaining gave us productivity improvements and were fair to workers.
Paul Keating had as much influence on John Howard's policies as he does on Kevin Rudd's.
Cheers

Whilst you finally got the person correct, you have still missed the point.

Rudd is not in control of this country.

[bulldogproud]

Smac, Rudd has as much control of Australia as any Prime Minister can have. Australian policy is very much at the mercy of overseas influences (i.e. the American economy and global trade). As for who has true power in Australia, I would list the following groups as being the most influential: the media (including those horrible shockjocks unfortunately), the bureaucrats in the Public Service and Cabinet. Correct me if you think I am wrong please.
Cheers

[smac]

I don't disagree with those influences, all governments have to deal with them.

Rudd is not his own man, at least Howard (forgetting the many faults he is supposed to have) is his own man, true to his own values until the last day.

I'm done here. Cheers.

[bulldogproud]

I think you will find that John Howard had to make many compromises during his term in office. No Prime Minister gets their own way completely. If they did, then there is no use having 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 76 in the Senate. We may as well just declare Australia a dictatorship and have one man in charge. Thankfully, we do not have this in Australia. As a former member of the Young Liberals I am aware of many compromises John had to make. Cheers

[topsywaldron]

I think you will find that John Howard had to make many compromises during his term in office.

Not least with the Dark Lord himself.

[bulldogproud]

Hi Topsy, not sure what hold Mr. Howard had over Smac to have him thinking that anything that John wanted John got. The public face of any politician has to be quite different to their personal one as they have to be seen to support their party line. I don't think any Prime Minister in history could ever be that powerful. All have had to compromise at some point or another. That is a good thing by the way. I sure don't want Australia being a dictatorship!
Cheers

[bulldogproud]

Sorry smac bro. That last comment of mine was a bit personal and very unfair. Forgive me?
Cheers

[smac]

No problems BDP, I think you are a little more passionate than I about this. My point was made and lost long ago.

[Squawk]

BP

bereaucrats have very little relative influence over Govt these days. Frank and fearless advice is gone. Dont conform to the party line = don't bother turning up to work.

Rann is much more influential than you think in federal politics. His stamp was all over the campaign, he was on the campaign committee and he is the incoming party president. If you know his modus operandi, you will know that his fingerprints are everywhere.

[am Bays]

Yep had all teh hall marks of the 2002 campign nothing outrageous, appear to be safe, me tooism on conservative policies and most importantly quick concise snappy sound bites that appear to show an alternative....

Rann's blocking and pontification over State federal relations (Murray River) has suddenly disaperared with a new spirit of cooperation. Politics, nah.......

To be fair and balanced the Coalition had snappy media speak until the unfiendly policies appeared....no matter how well you spin you can polish a turd......

[Psyber]

I think you will find that John Howard had to make many compromises during his term in office.

Not least with the Dark Lord himself.

Do you mean Keating or Whitlam??