Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

Kevin Rudd - born 21st September 1957. A Virgo Rooster.

"These Roosters are logical, equipped to handle tasks others may turn away. They are overtly detail-oriented, sometimes annoyingly so. They can be critical and mistakenly mean if they do not choose their words carefully."

I wish to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of this land on which we all stand.  I as the Prime Minister elect and so representative of this country wish to apologise for the past atrocities and inhumanities committed against the original inhabitants of this country.  I want to acknowledge that the generous spirit of reconciliation shown by Aboriginal people, especially to one of the Christian faith and one whose hero paid with his life for the attempting to kill one who instituted policies of genocide in Europe.

I want to celebrate the ANZAC spirit of getting through together.  Of disrespect for position and respect for those who show the way to do things.  I, and my team, want to show the way to not just a nation but a world where the plenty is shared so that all have opportunity and the basics of a decent life.  I want us to regain the world leadership in innovative and sustainable technology squandered by the short term kow towing to vested interests of this past government.

I, and my team, each personally commit to raising Centrelink pensions and benefits to a livable standard.  In a country as wealthy as Australia it is simply unacceptable that young people who have been abused are forced onto the streets because they have nowhere to live and couldn't afford the rent in any case.

I, and my team, each personally commit to restoring a sense of social justice to politics in Australia.

I ask you to join with me in creating a decent Australia once again.

This is my attempt. Any others?

Bill Avent: "Paul, do you ever think of having a little bit of a think before you start tapping at your keyboard?"

I did have a cursory glance at some figures over the weekend. I can say with certainty that Mr Rudd's proposals are highly inflationary off the back of what will be [non]surprisingly robust growth in the agricultural sector. I will tip that produce prices will not be coming down any time soon. I would also advise that shopping around structurally sound financial institutions for competitive terms would not be a bad idea (cash will be premium). If one does happen to be on the other end of the ledger I would advise that they sell now and do not pass go!

Michael: I had the misfortune, along with a bunch of others to be held at gunpoint in the SBS studios when Howard announced Australia was sending troops to  Iraq.  Long before the *45 days were out, the Howard supporters were demanding that somebody, anybody shoot the bastard and let us go home!

*might have been 45 weeks, by the time we got out I don't think anybody cared!

Those  criticising Rudd --- Howard was the worst speaker that I have ever seen! (or heard!)   With the thousand odd years he was around you would have thought that he would have to learn something!

SMH report: "the former Labor prime minister has one serious suggestion for who should now lead the Liberal Party - outgoing education minister Julie Bishop."

Margo: You know, I reckon that's a GREAT idea. Wonder how her own script would read? Pretty bloody good, I reckon. Go girl!

And another man I liked is going off to do more interesting and rewarding things.  Kim Beazley is now Professor Beazley  teaching in politics and international relations.

See?  Everyone is better off.  None of it is a shock, it's just that it is happening rather quickly. 

The Herald has the headline "New Shock as Vaile Quits". Why is it a shock? Under the circumstances, wouldn't it be strange if he stayed on. In the normal world when you have a monumental failure you have to resign or be fired.

Saturday's decision by the Australian people was overwhelming. Key leaders of the Coalition strategy need to resign or be fired and it needs to happen this week. Then the Coalition needs to start on the long, long journey of finding its soul and reinventing itself midway into the next decade.

Stop all this false shock stuff. I find it shocking that people are shocked. The Costello departure is not shocking. Nor is the Vaile one or that NT Chief Minister one. It's a routine thing all around the world that people fall on their sword when they fail. It's entirely appropriate. Morris Iemma should resign as well but knowing him he probably won't.

Not really sure that it matters PF.  Gutless or no ticker?  Exactly, what is the difference?  He has wisely chosen not to take the leadership.  He was wise before and he is wise now.  He is far better off out of it and would be certifiably insane to accept the leadership at this point.  If I was him and they offered it to me I'd say "gee thanks a lot, now get that ugly thing out of my house".  So he wasn't good enough when they were in government so now they offer it like some putrid trash that didn't quite make it into the wheelie bin with the rest of last week's dinner.  No thanks indeed.  Correct decision, Peter. Move on and don't look back.  Move on at some speed.

Margo: Or wait, and finally, finally, say who he is. You never know. David, as you know, I've always had a soft spot for Peter, and got into heaps of of trouble for it on Webdiary.  Life's strange, you know? So who knows?

To some, his decision not to run for the leadership is proof that the party was wise never to make him leader. They see him as someone who is gutless, someone who wouldn’t fight for the prize but wanted it handed to him. - Daily Telegraph

 Senator Minchin said he was also disappointed former Liberal Victorian premier Jeff Kennett had written in a Fairfax paper that Mr Costello's decision was "gutless" - SMH  

Gutless? No Ticker? same thing. 

I agree Eliot Ramsey that Kevin Rudd is no great orator but I believe with his new position that will change.

But nothing could be duller than watching a John Howard speech-especially live in a ballroom when you can't slip outside without being noticed. He was the very worst of political speech givers-not helped by his deafness in one ear.

This election is a complete repudiation of everything that Howard stood for. It just took a few years for the public to find out. I always said it-I whooped for joy the day he announced Work "Choices" as that was the beginning of the end.

It was also example of the demagogue he had become-the man risked decimating the Coalition to implement his own ideaology of how workers should be treated. They deserve their thrashing but that isn't healthy for any of us.

We have now seen 2 Prime Ministers booted out of their own seats for the very same reason with nearly 70 years between those acts. If that isn't a clear indication that the great union movement is not dead, contrary to recent reports, I don't know what is.

Tony Abbott thrown his hat in the ring. Now that surprises me. No chance.

Margo: Agreed, unless the Libs are truely into the A. word. 

I wonder which finance sub-editor will be the first to use the headline 'Swan Dive' as the recession starts to bite?

Margo: Yep, the Howard legacy. At least Labor will try to spread the pain.

"I am determined to honour the confidence which has been extended to us by the people of our great land. And I say to all of those who have voted for us today, I say to each and every one of them: that I will be a prime minister for all Australians; a prime minister for indigenous Australians; Australians who have been born here and Australians who have come here from afar and have contributed to the great diversity that is our nation."

Could this have been the most cliché-ridden, redundant waffle ever presented in an inaugural speech by anyone since, I dunno, Jimmy Carter? Or Billy McMahon?

Keep in mind, Kevin had months to think about what he wanted to say.

And he gives us bland hyperbole fit for gentle parody at the very culmination of his personal, political triumph.

These are not intellectual giants, are they? They're going to be slaughtered eventually.

Margo: You must be sad, Eliot, having voted Labor. How about a go at the speech you would have given? 

Now here's something funny. Paul Keating calling John Howard divisive - and taking credit for the last eleven year's economic outcome.

Margo: and he thanked Malcolm Fraser, Petro Georgiou  and Judi Moylan for doing their best to keep this country honest, decent and caring. Onya Paul. Great piece. 

David R: and we're also going to be "stuck" with a new Liberal leader and probably a complete rewrite of Liberal policy. Any preferences on who, ER?

I'm not a big fan of Malcolm Turnbull.

Joe Hockey seems like a very presentable character, and is of course a close personal mate of Kevin Rudd. Seeing as they're both 'consensual' philosophically, though, that probably counts him out.

Because the Libs will need a spoiler for the next couple of years.

Also, Hockey was genuinely devoted to Howard.

So, probably Turnbull. He actually increased his margin in his electorate. Though the labour guy there was basically retarded

Hockey did pretty good too, of course.

Not Tony Abbot. He might even follow Costello into retirement from politics.

Downer's not interested. Also, given his immense experience, he could make a fortune as a private consultant.

So, probably Malcolm. But I think your average bloke in the street would warm much more to Hockey.

If I was in the party room, I'd give Joe my support, rather somewhat expecting him to lose.

Just getting back to the new Rudd government, my bet is that an early weak link will be Tanya Plibersek.

Not because she entirely lacks talent, but because there's going to be few hells on earth worse than housing in the coming months and years...

Craig Rowley, hi!

Did you watch Kevin Rudd's victory speech? How sad was that?

More to the point, did you pick up on the slightly desparate mood of anxiety amongst the spectators in the auditorium as Kevin droned on and on and on.....

"And do you know what, ladies and gentlemen. When it comes to this great nation of ours moving forward together, I have  a fresh new leadership to offer and we have a lot of work to do, because when it comes to leadership, I'll offer new talent and ideas for this great nation of ours and we will move forward.

And do you know what. I say its time we all united in this great nation of ours blah, blah, blah...."

Even his kids looked bored.

Poor Albert looked like he was going to fall asleep.

Definitely the Rudd Labor government will need to dig up some dirt on, well, just about anyone and anything in the previous government.

They'll need as many distractions and diversions as possible to help paper over the cracks that will start emerging in the PR facade from, well, today basically.

This is because the incoming union-based Labor parliamentarians elevation to Parliament will generate a lot of jealously and resentment among their former colleagues back in union movement.

Doubtless, too, there'll be a lot of old scores to settle and skeletons in union closets that will come out the precise moment the union hacks discover that Rudd isn't going to deliver them the goods.

Rudd's insistence on doing things his own way, such as appointing his own cabinet for example, is going to upset a lot of the union and ALP party members, too.

And, also, he's not going to rescind any of the WorkChoice contracts. None of them.

And there's going to be massive public service cuts. And he's not going to fix hospitals. And he can do nothing about climate change.

Nothing.

Also, the new government has come into office at a less than propitious time.

There's a recession coming. And there are cost-push inflationary pressures building due to global energy demand.

That could play out any one of a number of ways, but none of which will look very good when seen against the state of the economy right now.

And , there'll be gaffes. Lots of them, especially in foreign policy.

But, unfortunately, digging up the past won't actually work as a distraction. Because the past is a long time. And in most cases, Labor governments were there, too.

Moreover, while we've got rid of Costello, all we've done is replace him with Wayne Swan.

And sure. Howard's gone. But now we're stuck with Kevin Rudd.

For at least three years.

And the pendulum is swinging now.....

David R: and we're also going to be "stuck" with a new Liberal leader and probably a complete rewrite of Liberal policy. Any preferences on who, ER?

When the Americans voted the Republicans out of office, they still had their intellectually-challenged, rogue Republican President calling the shots and controlling the country. They still do!

At least in Australia, on Saturday, we put the broom through the Evil Ones and the new government, unhindered, can get on with the job of governing for all Australians, not just for the rich.

That is a clear reason why Australia should never ever become a Republic.

Too many cooks spoil the broth!

Craig, I think all those things, and their perpetrators, need to be examined regardless of by-election prospects. Probably won't be, though. There looks to be a bit of a tacit agreement in place whereby misdeeds are swept under the carpet by people who may have a few skeletons in their own closets.

David, are you trying for the shortest retirement on record? You seem to have posted to another thread 3 hours later.

Paul, do you ever think of having a little bit of a think before you start tapping at your keyboard? Or do you let your fingers do the thinking? Do you ever read what you have typed, to make sure it makes sense, before you click the post button?

Australia has been rid of the Prime Ministership of Howard for two days, and rid of that of Paul Keating for 11 years. I pride myself in having done my small bit vote-wise to get rid of both.

Keating has given us his considered assessment of last Saturday’s major event in today’s SMH:

It contains the following puddle of bile: “His triumphalism over East Timor destroyed the relationship Labor had built with Indonesia, which probably can't be rebuilt, or if it can, only after decades.”

The ‘relationship’ Keating refers to was based on blind-eyed complicity in the deliberate extermination by the Indonesian military of upwards of 200,000 East Timorese, a fact never once criticised or even alluded to by Keating in his years of bonhomie with its chief perpetrator, Suharto. In proportion to the total population of East Timor, the actions by the Indonesian military there were equal to those inflicted by the Wehrmacht and the SS on Poland in WW2.

This was a ‘relationship’ of fawning, grovelling and connivance on the part of the governments of Whitlam, Fraser and Hawke, but brought to its  obscene zenith by Keating and his Foreign Minister Gareth Evans.

Ever since the fall of Keating, Evans though unrepentant, has at least blessed us with his personal silence. Keating has displayed no contrition whatever. Nor has he given us an end to his self-justifying rants, despite having been turfed out on his ear more decisively in 1996 than Howard has been in 2007.

That ‘relationship’ should never be rebuilt. It has to be totally replaced from the ground up by something better. And just about anything would be better.

Over the next year could the Rudd government do the following:

Use its improved access to information on what Alexander Downer did know of AWB's activities in Iraq and thereby increase the likelihood of a by-election in Mayo?

Use its improved access to information on what Kevin Andrews did to pervert the course of Justice for Dr Haneef and increase the likelihood of a by-election in Menzies?

Use its improved access to information on what Philip Ruddock did to foster that flawed culture within DIMIA and increase the likelihood of a by-election in Berowra?

Michael de Angelos, coming back? From where?

Small workers syndrome is the feeling I get.

It is a mining and agriculturial nation. It will in our lifetimes always be thus.

I am not able to converse with you here freely as Commandant Fiona is rigidly imposing the ten posts a day limit. Apparently yesterday I went to eleven and of course the eleventh was not posted, almost as if an unthinking robot was in control. I'm hardly going to be told what to do on a group blog by a "moderator" whatever that is. As I have always believed this and other Webdiary rules to be nonsense, I am forced to go into "retirement" again! I have always believed the rules spoil this forum. The only person who ever seems to apply them in a sensible way is Margo but naturally she can't be on duty 24/7. It's a pity because I feel inclined to say a lot at the moment. Oh well, there are many other places where I can do that without lecturing or control freakery.

I did enjoy our discourse PF. Most of the others were painful but you have always been a pleasure to talk with. We don't agree with each other but we do it in such a nice way. Have a good day PF. It's the first business day of the Rudd era so no doubt you will have a spring in your step. I've picked up some kind of flu in Shanghai which seems kind of fitting. Good day to you.

Or should I call it intense dislike. Howard may be gone - his deeds live on and he owes - to a lot of people. The man owes big time in the apology department but that won't happen.

You don't just wipe someone out and then carry on as normal. You look at the reasons he had to go so the mistake isn't repeated. There are plenty of skeletons in Howard's closet and we'll have them out.

And that means you guys as well: Downer, Ruddick , Abbott and Andrews. All have committed sins that need to be corrected and my prediction is - with a newly freed up public service, unafraid of the nastiness that this little crew would dish out if they dared display independence. Lots and lots of little secrets are going to come rolling out.

In a way Malcolm Turnbull is correct - he is a clean skin not tainted by the viciousness of the Howard regime and it's devastating loss.

Although I bet Malcolm wishes he had joined the Labor party.

Particularly as I am retired. But I'm pleased to see off the evil titled Work "Choices" or whatever nasty name they put upon it as I have grandchildren.

During the last 100 years we survived with Unions and protected workers - the two years of IR changes did nought but reduce wages and conditions for those at the bottom. The USA can support a sub-class of working poor of around 30 million, Australia would collapse.

I'm looking forward to - is it Joe McDonald in the "I'm comin back !" Liberal adverts? - to returning so I can buy him a beer . I thought those ads were a hoot.

I wish to offer a theoretical explanation for the recent catastrophic loss of office by the Liberal Party and its National supporters.

Provisionally, I call it CDI, or Cumulative Downerian Incrementalism.

Though its mathematics is very complex, I will attempt to render it understandable for the non-specialist reader.

Basically, the theory says that every time over the last eleven years that Lord Alexander Downer opened his mouth and said something on TV, there was a swing against the Liberal Party nationwide of 0.000525 percent. Please note the figure is provisional at this stage, and further research will render it more precise.

These tiny swings were hard for analysts to detect as they were occurring, which only made them more dangerous for the party. The unseen danger lay in the combination of low dose and low immediate effect with high frequency. I suggest that the appropriate analogy is with the well-known cumulative effect of a series of very small doses of arsenic, leading in time to a total functional catharsis. Typically the patient loses bodily control, becomes incontinent, and may attempt inappropriate self-medication.

But then on the 23rd of April this year conspirators in that hot fetid bed of political correctness known as the ABC launched the first of two major attacks on the blissfully unsuspecting nation: an innocuous-looking program entitled The More Things Change, Part 1, featuring a continuous hour of Downer in both serious and frivolous mode. More detail is available at http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2007/s1905419.htm. A week later, a second strike or episode was administered. Then the conspirators stood back and watched as the effect became increasingly manifest in opinion poll swings. By that stage, even had remediation been available, it would have been of little use in the time remaining to the Party.

It has not gone unnoticed that Lord Downer is frequently featured on ABC, SBS and commercial TV giving the viewers the contents of his mind. CDI theory now renders its effects at least understandable. The question is, with only three short years for convalescence, can the Australian population, recover from the generalised cerebral assault it has been unwittingly subjected to? Moreover, can the new government be relied on to ensure appropriate public sanitation measures directed against it happening again?

Richard: There will need to be a public education campaign, so that those suffering in isolation know they're not alone.  Some decent research into possible mutations, especially if Downer himself has no immunity.  Perhaps appropriate therapy can be included in Medicare?  I'd love to get rid of my nervous tic. 

As he cast his vote, D said he didn't perceive a desire for change in the Australian public. 

Bill Avent: "Paul M., your equating making a spelling error, and subsequently admitting to it, with leadership qualities is amusingly eccentric too. You must have been making one of those jokes of yours, were you?"

To be human is to make mistakes (did you check your grammar?) I regretfully admit to having committed the sin of mistake [once] in my life. It still does not mean anything you have written is correct.

Management is of course a different matter. To rightfully forgive is to prosper - so somebody told me.

Fiona: Welcome back! I was beginning to think that you were a closet Liberal and had gone off to drown your misery!

There seems to be a bitterness in many of the posts, and a deep misunderstanding regarding the late and unlamented John Howard.

‘Howard hater’ developed as a put-down to those who couldn’t stomach this man’s methods, hypocrisy, devoidness of compassion and sheer miserable bloody mindedness.

Hate? Something so insignificant? Of so little substance?

No. Detest is the correct word. All the man is, and all the man stood/stands for.

As to the somewhat sneering remarks that: Howard is gone, get over him, forget him, the remarks show a lack of understanding.

Yes, the Libs are gone, thank god (whoever you perceive him/her to be) the new government will develop as it will, and it will fail to satisfy many of us. But anybody who was paying attention knew that Rudd valued the US connection. And even here there is a misunderstanding. There would be few of us who hate the US, I suspect. Many of us that detest the US administration and who are disappointed that the American people have done nothing to rid themselves of Bush and his cronies.

In fact that last statement is too sweeping. There are many people in the US who are actively working against Bush and his cronies. Preparation of law suits have been going on for several years.

Documenting all that they can be charged with, formalising it so that it cannot be ‘lost’ or forgotten. It will take time to play out, but the informed opinion in the US is that within ten years none of Bush’s cronies will be able to set foot outside the US.

Recently Rumsfeld was in France and papers were filed in the courts based upon charges of torture. Rumsfeld was whisked into Germany, and the process started all over again.

Simply isolating them in the US is not enough, can never be enough, but it builds the pressure, belittles the US, and if they cannot be winkled out in any other way then there is no reason that they cannot be kidnapped and delivered to the international court of justice. There is precedent. Some of the Nazi war criminals were kidnapped.

And so back to Howard. Were I running the ‘bring the instigators of the Iraqi invasion to justice’ group, I would grab Howard first. Convict him and the others are guilty by implication. Whatever the sequence there is no reason to believe that Howard, Downer and Ruddock will walk away scot free. If there is ever to be a semblance of peace in the world it must be established that international law applies to all. That Iraqi and Palestinian lives are worth equally as much as is the life of an American, a Brit, or an Australian.

This election polarised the electorate. Getting rid of the coalition was the focus. The way to do that was to support Labor, not because they were wonderful, not because they would address all the issues that so many of us wanted addressed, but because Labor wasn’t the coalition.

When you are starving, any food will do. When you are reasonably fed then you can afford to be picky. Next election will be the time for minor parties and independents. Perhaps we can even galvanise enough support to force a referendum on adopting the Mixed Member Proportional representation (MMP) form of government.

If Getup can be persuaded to put the proposition before their members that is a 230,000 leap to people who at least might be open to discussing it.

Democracy means being involved. Highlighting those areas where there are problems and proposing solutions.

I suspect that there are not many people who are entirely happy with the overwhelming majority that Labor has just won, and fewer still who are entirely happy with what Labor offers.

Perhaps it is time for a serious change.

"As I recall the Labor Party was in accord with most of the world....."

Of course they were, Bill! They were in opposition! Sorry, I'm not convinced mate.

Rudd's a diplomat. Expect to see him jetting off to exotic places, drinking copious amounts of tea and discussing the woes of the world. All talk and no action.

Really do hope I'm wrong. I really do...

However, I do agree with Fiona, it is up to all of us to "keep the bastards honest"!

Kathy, you could be right. I don't think I have said I was confident that Rudd will be different. I do see grounds for hope, though. What I am confident of is that Howard would not be different. You see the difference?

I wouldn't read too much into the fact that he was on the phone to Bush, Brown and Bambang. Anyone stepping into the top job will do that. Your assessment of him as clever, tricky and cunning gives me hope, actually. In election mode we have seen a Howard lite, if you like; a persona put forward to minimise his profile, distance himself from Latham, and maximise his chances. Now I wait to see what he will be with the election behind him.

Unlike you, I don't think we would be involved in Iraq if Labor had been in power at the time of Shock and Awe. As I recall, the Labor Party was in accord with most of the world in wanting the UN Inspectors to be given time to do their jobs before deciding what to do next.

Confession time: I did a runner on Friday afternoon. My partner is somewhat to the right of Ghengis Khan, a political position that the more discerning among you may have realised is not mine. A dear friend of mine is similarly afflicted (regarding partner, that is), so at the start of the official campaign we made a pact to spend the election weekend at her beach house.

So there we were, last night, no internet access, slightly snowy TV, plenty of drinks on hand, prepared to celebrate or commiserate together. The champagne was opened as Mr Howard mounted the podium.

Thank you to my fellow-moderators for letting me play hookey at such a busy time.

Now the work begins: given the demise of the Democrats it is up to all of us to keep the bastards honest. 

Hi Fiona, you are so kind. Might do a music video about YOU!!

Anyway, Centrebet says party insiders tipping Nelson for leadership - FORMER defence minister Brendan Nelson is being tipped by Liberal Party insiders as the next leader of the opposition, one of Australia's biggest bookmakers says. 

Full Nelson is my local member here at Bradfield. Hmmm, do I have to start looking for another Maxine McKew???