Julia's Reign

[FiveStarStu]

While I don't, Tony Abott is the preferred PM (I think the polls still say that don't they) and Alan Jones has a huge radio audience who hang on his every word.

Gillard has been preferred PM for some time, according to Newspoll, 42-38. Gillard has a 30% approval rating and Abbott 31%.

In short = most of us don't like them both. I think the political climate is a lot, lot closer than it appears to be.

 

[Scotty]

One we don't like the other we can't trust!

 

[Schadenfreude]

One we don't like the other we can't trust!

Can't trust either.

 

[Scotty]

We know we can't trust one, we only suspect we can't trust the other.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

What sort of double standard does one have to apply in order to determine Abbott is remotely more "trust-able" than Gillard? The man has always had some borderline insane religious agenda and makes completely unrealistic promises every day.

But all that aside, the biggest problem with Abbott is that there is clearly no thought process behind his ideas. You can at least predict someone like Turnbull's opinion on issues, because he frequently communicates the structure behind his thoughts/ideas (example). Gillard not so much, Abbott, not at all.

I'm pretty sure he's got it in him, he just chooses not to use it, because a consistent political view isn't what's gonna win him the ultra conservative vote this time around.

 

[Cutter]

We know we can't trust one, we only suspect we can't trust the other.

You must have a high conversion threshold from suspicion to knowledge (or a short memory).

 

[Scarfman]

Gillard vs Abbott vs Turnbull? Quite keen on this:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-05/clarke-and-dawe-check-on-australians-in-the-tour/4113292

 

[fatprop]

What sort of double standard does one have to apply in order to determine Abbott is remotely more "trust-able" than Gillard? The man has always had some borderline insane religious agenda and makes completely unrealistic promises every day.

But all that aside, the biggest problem with Abbott is that there is clearly no thought process behind his ideas. You can at least predict someone like Turnbull's opinion on issues, because he frequently communicates the structure behind his thoughts/ideas (example). Gillard not so much, Abbott, not at all.

I'm pretty sure he's got it in him, he just chooses not to use it, because a consistent political view isn't what's gonna win him the ultra conservative vote this time around.

It is more a reflection on Gillard than Abbott.

 

[Blue]

Gillard vs Abbott vs Turnbull? Quite keen on this:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-05/clarke-and-dawe-check-on-australians-in-the-tour/4113292

"you can hardly see her for bandaging"

 

[rugbyskier]

Gillard has been preferred PM for some time, according to Newspoll, 42-38. Gillard has a 30% approval rating and Abbott 31%.

In short = most of us don't like them both. I think the political climate is a lot, lot closer than it appears to be.

Abbott has taken a clear lead in the preferred PM poll in Newspoll despite the approval ratings for both he and the PM being low.

I disagree that support for the ALP is closer to the L-NP than it appears. The polls with Labor around 28-30% have been that way for nearly 2 years now and anecdotally I've noticed a change in attitude around Canberra. This city is traditionally pro-Labor and many people I know who would normally support them have openly declared that they are exasperated with Gillard and want to see a change in government. If that's happening in Canberra, I think that the election could see a result of Queensland proportions.

 

[Gagger]

As I can only stomach one political system at a time and it's the UK one that's currently taxing me till I bleed, I haven't really been following Aus politics all too closely.

However,

What about these apples?

Is this the potential game-changer it looks like?

 

[waratahjesus]

The fact they supported slipper only for him to fall on his own sword later will surely only result in this being another example of bad judgement.

I think Abbott got her to do exactly what he wanted, it's masterful baiting.

 

[Scotty]

Not sure what the response will be from that. It was a strong speech and well performed but it is possible she went too far.

I suspect her supporters will agree with her and her detractors will accuse her of slander. I do wonder what uproar this would cause if it was said by someone in the media rather than a protected politician.

 

[Gagger]

I would have loved to have seen his reply - could he deny any of the facts she presented?

• The sexist quotes on the record from Abbott
• Slipper(?) being an National Party member forever
• The quotes on the record from Abbott supporting Slipper
• Abbot going to his wedding FFS

Reading more around it I get the context better now, but as an isolated piece of parliamentary theatre she performed pretty well

 

[I like to watch]

I reckon you can only go too far if it can be condensed into a 5 second grab for the news.Other than that, the only people that pay it any attention are staunch supporters of either party that never change their vote.

 

[barbarian]

Most if not all of that speech was negated by the fact that Slipper resigned just hours later. In the end Labor have come out looking far worse than the Libs- sold their soul by giving the speakership to a man who they knew was dodgy, all in the name of getting one extra vote on the floor. And, surprise surprise, it came back to bite them.

 

[Sully]

I disagree. The speech made Slipper a sideshow and put Abbott in the spot light. You can see what he was feeling from the reaction on his face. he went from smiling and laughing to very sombre. Especially in the context of the weeks he has spent trying to who female voters by showing his softer side.

I must say that I dislike Abbott intensely and this could colour my perceptions of the speech. I do believe there is a time for each main party to lead the country as each style of government has it's strengths and weaknesses. But Abbott moves completely outside that belief for me.

 

[barbarian]

It put Abbott in the spotlight for the few hours before Slipper resigned, and then the story changed completely.

I dislike Abbott as much as the next person, and hope his poll numbers drop like a stone so Turnbull can be installed as leader. But I'm not sure that is going to happen.

 

[Sully]

It put Abbott in the spotlight for the few hours before Slipper resigned, and then the story changed completely.

I dislike Abbott as much as the next person, and hope his poll numbers drop like a stone so Turnbull can be installed as leader. But I'm not sure that is going to happen.

We can dream though.

 

[Scotty]

The speech was necessary to put the pressure and spotlight on Abbott because the government was already being showed up for its hypocrisy.

They have trotted our senior female mps to goad and pressure Abbott on his perceived sexist views and then about face to support the speaker who, I understand said things that are a lot worse than Abbott ever has just to try and protect their own arses (yet again).

Gillard is trying to hide her own hypocrisy with this attack.

Abbott much not be well liked by many (including me) but I struggle to have any trust in Gillard. Trusting someone is more important than liking them when they are in this position.