Australia General Discussion

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I never understand why they do polls so little time after the election of a majority government.

Nobody understands that young Skywalker. I wonder how big Prime Minister Rudd's ego is now. I'd say it's bigger than when he won in a Ruddslide. Damn Channel 7 and Kochie.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

EL BUMPO GRANDE

[Secretary Polnut]

Now the Rudd show goes global.

- US, UK, China and the NATO Summit in Lithuania.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I hope that the Australian media won't go nuts about Julia Gillard this time when Rudd's on his 17 day trip bonanza. It was terrible when the Australian media would not shut up about her because she was acting Prime Minister, when Rudd went to visit East Timor (I believe).

[Secretary Polnut]

I hope that the Australian media won't go nuts about Julia Gillard this time when Rudd's on his 17 day trip bonanza. It was terrible when the Australian media would not shut up about her because she was acting Prime Minister, when Rudd went to visit East Timor (I believe).

The novelty's worn off - it'll only be if something "big" happens.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I hope that the Australian media won't go nuts about Julia Gillard this time when Rudd's on his 17 day trip bonanza. It was terrible when the Australian media would not shut up about her because she was acting Prime Minister, when Rudd went to visit East Timor (I believe).

The novelty's worn off - it'll only be if something "big" happens.

I wouldn't be surprised if something big does happen. Has the Rudd Government introduced their new Industrial Relations Reform bill to Parliament yet? The only time I have heard Parliament mention the Governments new IR Reform bill was when Gillard would not shut up about Howard Government IR propoganda, which included mousepads ect. Though I have to admit that was quite amusing.

[Iosif is a COTHO]

New Newspoll results: It's still 59-41 to Labor on 2PP, same as it was three weeks ago.

 The Preferred PM:

Rudd: 73% (+3)
Nelson: 9% (-1)

Oh dear. getting quite embarrasing for the Libs now. This is despite a fair bit of negative coverage for Rudd recently.

http://www.newspoll.com.au/image_uploads/0402%20Fed%208-4-08.pdf

[Robespierre's Jaw]

The Preferred PM:

Rudd: 73% (+3)
Nelson: 9% (-1)

Poor Brendan. He's now back under 9% as preferred Prime Minister, should I be surprised? No. He's a terrible leader of the Liberal Party. Anybody who was leading the Libs at this time would be performing like Nelson in the Polls, though maybe slightly better.

[Hashemite]

The Preferred PM:

Rudd: 73% (+3)
Nelson: 9% (-1)

Poor Brendan. He's now back under 9% as preferred Prime Minister, should I be surprised? No. He's a terrible leader of the Liberal Party. Anybody who was leading the Libs at this time would be performing like Nelson in the Polls, though maybe slightly better.

There could be a Bayrou-surge for him

Jumping from 9% to 23% in a month.

[Smid]

Whoever was leader following November's election was going to get mauled in the polls.

[Platypus]

Absolutely, which is why I was and continue to be glad that Turnbull lost.

[Smid]

And it's why we've got to stick with Nelson for a while - replacing him is only going to burn another potential leader with bad polls and make them unelectable in the future.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Absolutely, which is why I was and continue to be glad that Turnbull lost.

Looking back on it, it is good that Malcolm lost. Looks like the Nelson/Bishop team will be here to stay until the 2010 General. And I thought Downer/Costello was a bad mix for the Libs.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Nelson to Fight for the Leadership

Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says he is determined to remain at the helm of the Liberal Party.

There has been increasing speculation about his leadership, which has been marked by poor opinion poll results.

There are reports of rising backbench discontent with his performance and a renewed push by treasury spokesman Malcolm Turnbull to unseat him.

Dr Nelson, in Melbourne for today's meeting of the Victorian Liberal Party, says he is here to stay.

"I am very determined and I will keep fighting and speaking up for everyday Australians, I assure you I'm going nowhere," he said.

He says he believes he can lead the party to an election victory.

"I've had people underestimating me for 20 years and it seems nothing has changed," Dr Nelson said.

He has been backed publicly by former deputy Liberal leader Peter Costello who says there is no backbench push against Dr Nelson.

"Not as far as I'm aware, I thought he put in a very good performance," Mr Costello said.


Sooner than I thought. Only time will tell if Turnbull does launch a challenge against Dr. Nelson. Either way it will be disastrous for the Liberal Party.

[Hashemite]

He's like Stephane Dion.

[Χahar]

The Howard era has made the Liberals a joke.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

He's like Stephane Dion.

Except Nelson is worse than Dion. I'm sure Stephane Dion does not get 9% in the polls as preferred Prime Minister, that's if in Canada they do have those sorts of polls.

[Χahar]

He's like Stephane Dion.

Except Nelson is worse than Dion. I'm sure Stephane Dion does not get 9% in the polls as preferred Prime Minister, that's if in Canada they do have those sorts of polls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Canadian_federal_election#Opinion_polls

Dion's pulling pretty average, at 30%ish.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

He's like Stephane Dion.

Except Nelson is worse than Dion. I'm sure Stephane Dion does not get 9% in the polls as preferred Prime Minister, that's if in Canada they do have those sorts of polls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Canadian_federal_election#Opinion_polls

Dion's pulling pretty average, at 30%ish.

Thanks Xahar. Well there you go Brendan Nelson is worse than Stephane Dion. I wonder how long until Turnbull goes for the leadership? This will be worse than Peacock-Howard in the 1980's, nobody who takes over the Party will be able to swing 2.4% to win back Government.

[Hashemite]

He's like Stephane Dion.

Except Nelson is worse than Dion. I'm sure Stephane Dion does not get 9% in the polls as preferred Prime Minister, that's if in Canada they do have those sorts of polls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Canadian_federal_election#Opinion_polls

Dion's pulling pretty average, at 30%ish.

I wouldn't compare the polling numbers of the Liberals to Dion's numbers. Anti-Harper folks (like me, for instance) may dislike Dion but support the Libs as an alternative (except I support the real opposition, the Greenies). Dion is 25% in the last leadership poll (quite high for him IIRC), and his favourables are disastrous.

[Χahar]

So, the Labor government is likely to last until at least 2013 or 2016?

[Platypus]

So, the Labor government is likely to last until at least 2013 or 2016?

They'll win the next election, which will almost certainly be held in 2010; terms are of a maximum of three and a bit years.

[Smid]

I heard Andrew Robb speak on the weekend. That man is a future PM.

[Platypus]

I disagree.


BTW, we'll have a female G-G in September.

[Smid]

I saw that. As a Queenslander (living in Melbourne), I am impressed with her. She did a good job as Governor back home, and I think she'll do a good job as G-G.

Andrew Robb spoke very well, he clearly enunciated where the party's at and where it needs to go and I think he would make a good leader.