Rudd's reply to meeting Bourke should have been: "so what"
Exactly. That's the usual Howard response.
Although Rudd's trying to set an example and be more accountable than Howard so he's willing to answer questions.
If Rudd had made a deal with Bourke to arrest the leadership from Beazely (which he denies), so what? That's not illegal. It's normal "practice" in politics. What does it have to do with the Liberals or even us for that matter, it's internal party politics, none of our business.
It's same thing Costello has been trying to do in vain, get the numbers to topple Howard.
Quoted from Ms_Adventure
If Rudd had not met with Burke and been accused by Howard of misconduct would Campbell still have had to resign?
Definitely not. Johnny would have been on his high-horse saying Campbell did nothing wrong, it was just a "chat".
Labor support soars despite mud-slinging
Boomslanger, I take it this is one bikie you would prefer not to ride with!
Howard, Costello and Abbott are looking even more foolish with more revelations of Liberal MP's dealing with Brian Bourke.
Quoted Text
Liberal MP hired Burke as lobbyist ... Mr Howard confirmed that West Australian federal Liberal MP Geoff Prosser had paid Mr Burke for lobbying services.
Before it was one rule for back-benchers and another for Ministers and would-be PM's. Now it's a completely different rule for Liberal Party members. But we knew this all along.
(It's about time investigative-journalism made a come-back)
Quoted Text
Minister linked to Burke and Grill
THE Federal Government's attack on Kevin Rudd over the WA corruption scandal backfired yesterday when John Howard promoted to the frontbench a senator with shares in companies linked to disgraced lobbyist Brian Burke.
A new opinion poll out today shows the Federal Opposition's primary vote has risen to a 20-year high of 52 per cent.
The Newspoll, published in the Australian newspaper, says the Coalition's primary vote in comparison has fallen to 34 per cent - its lowest level in nine years.
The poll puts Labor ahead of the Government by 22 points on a two-party preferred basis, up eight points from the last poll two weeks ago.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd is the preferred prime minister with 49 per cent, compared to Prime Minister John Howard's 36 per cent.
Opposition treasury spokesman Wayne Swan has told ABC TV's Lateline he is not surprised.
"I think there is a strong mood for change in the community," he said.
"The vote isn't locked in but there's a strong mood for change - I think voters like what they see with Kevin Rudd and Labor.
"They like the positive alternatives that Kevin Rudd is putting forward."
FEDERAL Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has urged New South Wales voters not to lodge protest votes against the Labor Government when they go to the polls on Saturday.
Addressing a major campaign event in western Sydney, Mr Rudd said voters faced a stark choice between a Labor Government who would deliver better services and a Coalition Opposition that cannot deliver services.
Labor are now suddenly able to deliver better service, Major Dilemma has already admitted we won't see any untill 2010. What are the chances that in the leadup to the 2011 elections they'd still be just over the horizon??
I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
It's very telling on just how bad Debnam is and how much on the nose (rightly so) with the electorate, when in a survey yesterday in the South Coast where I live, 60% or those surveyed said that Labor doesn't deserve another chance in the upcoming election but will still vote Labor.
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
I completely agree Debnam is not likable, if he was their wouldn't be the need for an election Dilemma could just be told to f#ck off! I'd rather put Debnam in, see how he does and if it's bad get rid of him next time. Iemma has already admitted if he gets back in he won't be doing a bloody thing (probably send the resume down to mac bank unless bobbo's handling recruitment these days).
Quoted Text
THE families of six people who died because of alleged systemic failures by the New South Wales Government have written an open letter to voters urging them to vote for the Opposition on Saturday.
I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
I'd rather put Debnam in, see how he does and if it's bad get rid of him next time
I believe that's how a slimy little character named John Winston Howard got elected, 11 years later he's still here and slimier than ever.
Sounds like you guys have a situation like the 2004 federal election. You have an underperforming Government who is out of touch and a real want for change in the electorate, but an opposition that is a complete shamozzle. In that election Howard had the silver bullet of the economy and low interest rates. As for Iemma, it appears his silver bullet is Debnam!
Voters always go for the devil they know when they don't like the other guy.
Oh come on that's stupid. There are deaths under all governments. There have been deaths under Howard's government because of funding shortfalls and systematic failures so shouldn't Howard have been thrown out years ago?
...and will Debnam make it any better, of course not. The reason Labor have been in power for 12 years is because of the mess the previous Libs left, which included a run down health system that killed people. So will these same people blame Debnam for every person who dies in the health system under his watch, of course they won't.
Debnam will not make it better and because the looney Christian right is behind him, but even worse the reprehensible David Clarke, Debnam should not even be given a chance for even one year let alone one term, he's not work the risk at all.
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
But you were blaming current health issues on the Howard government a few weeks ago so any any "mess" made by the former state administration would have been due to blunders made at a federal level yes? Or are the federales only to blame if you don't personnally like them?
Transport, roads, power, law enforcement, all under state control, and all a problem as well
I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Transport, roads, power, law enforcement, all under state control, and all a problem as well
These have been the issues in every state every year since federation. States are always playing catch-up.
The real problem is housing development and the amount of pressure they put on governments to squeeze as many houses as possible into as little space as possible. No provision is made for future growth of traffic, transport and other infrastructure demands. Subsequently as the development heads further out, highways and community centres need to be built but there is no land available and reclaiming property is a very very expensive.
They say an idiot will do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result every time. Every government, state and federal, have made the same mistakes over and over again. They have allowed developers to dictate planning policy, and what we need is not more of the same but someone to say: STOP, THINK, PROCEED.
Unfortunately there is no one to do this and elections are increasingly becoming a celebrity vote. Every government to date has not stood up for the people but have taken the easier short-term solutions to secure their next election.
But you were blaming current health issues on the Howard government a few weeks ago so any any "mess" made by the former state administration would have been due to blunders made at a federal level yes? Or are the federales only to blame if you don't personnally like them?
Transport, roads, power, law enforcement, all under state control, and all a problem as well
And as cactus so rightly pointed out all these things have been stuffed up by all State governments since Federation. But national roads are Howard's domain as are some other national infrastructure programs and these have been drastically under funded from day dot of his government. Health and education are shared responsibilities, with health especially being 50/50, so 50% of the blame must go to the Feds. Law enforcement also has State and Federal components, especially in security and Howard has been very slack in that area with the States being more proactive and more pragmatic.
Looking at law and order in NSW, the latest figures show the crime rate is the lowest in 10 years and has been going down in the last 2 years. Plus the crime rate is directly linked to heavy drug shortages, and the Liberal will not fix that anymore than Labor will.
What it comes down to is that Debnam has promised the world with no way of fully paying for it. Iemma hasn't but won't bring in anything until 2010, but if you look at Debnam's program of waiting for public servants to die, retire or quit before he can get the money saved from them he won't be able to do anything for at least 10 years.
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
These have been the issues in every state every year since federation. States are always playing catch-up.
In 1994 NSW had such a good electricity supply that some generators at power stations were not running. Now if everyone turns on their AC it's blackouts all round! Also New South Wales State Rail Authority, known today as FailCorp or That ******* pack of useless *****! if you're waiting on a train, had received 450 top of the line train carriages implementing a design that is still used today. In their 12 years Bobcat and Dilemma have introduced a whopping 115 suburban carriages that were such a dismal failure the final order was cancelled. Oh their are also (apparently) 8 new OSCAR cars operating on the southcoast although 122 should have begun service at the end of 2005. If Labor are reelected suburban passengers won't even see new AIR CONDITIONED (yes in 2007 1/3rd of our trains are non airconditioned) trains before the next election in 2011.
In sizzling news "The sweaty conditions on CityRail carriages contravene the Federal Government's guidelines for the transport of live animals - including battery hens." (http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21423075-5005941,00.html)Wonder if KRudd will help his mates and have those laws changed down the track (if he's in a position to do so).
"Keep on training Sydney"
Quoted from Boomslanger
But national roads are Howard's domain as are some other national infrastructure programs and these have been drastically under funded from day dot of his government
National highways have joint jurisdiction. You get a pothole out the front of your house call canberra and see how that goes. Are you trying to blame the cross city tunnel complete f#ckup on Howard now???? Let's see how well Lane Cove goes..... after the election
www.rta.nsw.gov.au/ sound state like to me
Quoted Text
The people and Government of NSW expect the RTA to manage the roads and traffic system of NSW, in conjunction with state and local government agencies
I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Logged
. . . I would have changed a 'p' for a 't' in there somewhere . . makes it more authentic . . 
