The Rudd Rebellion, The campaign to save Labor, Bruce Hawker

 

This is the second campaign political book I've read; they can be insightful. A few thoughts::

I don't think much will come from the Rudd/Gillard period, time will tell. Though a reform of Rudd's, which I'm certain will start to take off is the dilution of Union power and branch members having a direct roll in electing their leader, Hawker described it as becoming similar to the US presidential elections.

The loss of the election can be traced back to the knifing of Rudd. The disunity never really settled after this.

Union power within the labor party stinks. I couldn't get over that Paul Howel, Union boss was still ringing up Rudds team with who he thought should get preselection. I'm positive that coming up through the union ranks is not a great endorsement for representing your electorate.

I think Labor had better policies than the Coalition, did they have the unity and talent to implement them. No. This I believe is how Austalians voted how they did. I'm not sure any of Abbott's policies got him into power, rather bad labor government.

Murdoch's publication hampered the campaign. I didn't need to read the book to see this. In the end people will find other sources of news which reports on policy not just opinion. People will find alternative sources of news which is now easier than ever to do. I think Newscorp will be more neutral next election for the sake of there readership.

I enjoyed the insights and frenetic pace of the campaign 4/5

 

Australian Election 2013

This election would have to be the most uninspiring that I've ever had to vote in. The Labor party I just can't seem to be inspired by, I just get that feeling that they are only united because of the election and Kevin will go back to his cranky micro managing everything. The Coalition, well nothing inspiring, no vision. Not that Labor has either...

The only glimmer of hope is that the independents, they will add a bit of color to politics if they get a few seats, even more so if they have the balance of power.

This last parliament I recon they made it harder for the minority government to govern. But they kept the legislative process more accountable. I think there were better outcomes than just a majority labor or liberal party's in power.

So with the minor parties we have Palmer United which appear to be polling well, Katter's Party and the Greens. So Yeah for the minority's and independents!

On a Christian perspective, Mark Connors has it right with politics on his blog a nice balanced perspective.