Public Service Leak

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Kevin only ever did see the servant in public servants. He treated them accordingly.

Now they have betrayed him, oh dear.

Petrol Prices

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Their first really big issue, and isn't it great that it's one that they have absolutely no, real, control over. Changes the perspective a little doesn't it.

It's easier in opposition, just as the libs are finding out. That is, it's easier to offer solutions.

For the government, to have this problem explode so soon after delivering the budget, it's scary.

Downer stirs the pot?

 
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I can't work out if Alex is serious or not. He could be just winding everyone up, particularly those now on the front bench, or the press, or just everyone. Eee is a joker is Alex.

I for one would like him on the front bench, particularly in the grumpy post election guise that he has. It's just good fun, and he would make for some great cartoons.

Labor and Petrol Prices

 
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Petrol will be Kevin Rudd's "no child will live in poverty" or "interest rates will always be lower". And guess what, it's one battle he can't win. They are just going to continue to go up, and he has given the liberals one peg to hang a hat on. Has Brendan done it the right way, nah.

What should he do? (If you could see me now you would see a blank face).

Petrol will overtake interest rates as the issue of concern, particularly, as interest rates will go down before the next election.

Brendan Says No

 
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When Brendan Nelson said no to the bi-partisan commission on indigenous housing, was it because he wasn't sure if he could commit to the job?

Brendan Nelson

 
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While I feel for him, no one would want to be in his position, he has made a fundemental mistake. Given the pressure of poor polls he has chosen a populist route to try to improve his postion. Completely understandible.

However, clearly it has had the opposite effect, and probably sped up his demise.

It would have been far more sensible to focus on ensuring that the voters continued to believe that the liberals were sound economic managers. Malcom understands that.

It's a long hard road, and dependant to a certain extent, on the government making some mistakes, but hey, they are a first term government, if they are going to make mistakes it happens early. Well, that is, until they've been in power 10 or so years and the mistakes come from arrogance.

The alternative alternative budget speech

 
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I think I admire him. Three years to the next election, minimum of six to government, ridiculously low in the polls, and he still goes out swinging. Don't really know what he said, more style over substance :), but it seemed OK.

I just couldn't do it. Let's get out of here, there's no point.

Labor's First Budget

 
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He couldn't help himself could he, he still needs the spotlight. Consider that the first indication that, deep down, he wants to stay. He will just ready himself to take over from Brendan, when the time is right.

His only obstacle, Malcolm. And Malcolm is looking like the real leader in waiting. Perhaps he could do a deal, Malcolm gets the first two years, then ..............

Budget Horror

 
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Be afraid, be very afraid. That's the build up the government wants, and then of course, when it's delivered it won't be as bad as we expected. Normal PR course of action.

They have already released the key elements, health funds, luxury car dealers and the rich are all afraid. Certainly a large number of public servants, consultants and advertising companies are very afraid. But, for the rest of us I don't believe there will be too much to be afraid of.

The night before the budget, the treasurer's nightmare

 
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You can imagine it can't you, the constant clicking of calculators, ok PCs, rechecking and double checking numbers. Modifying numbers, tweaking this, tweaking that. Arm twisting, wrestling, yes and no. The process would be amazing to watch.

And just imagine if they made a fundamental error in calculation, one that was immediately obvious to everyone else, except those closest to the budget. That would make great television, but it's just no going to happen.

Brenda would love it, needs it in fact.

Kevin Rudd makes Times Top 100 List

 
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How far can this guy go, and how big must his head be?

Personally, I feel for John Howard. 20 years of slog to become PM, 10 + years in the job, and apart from the love of George, how much applause did he get? He didn't even get the knighthood, that went to a just out of pimples prince.

Still, it must be even worse for PC.

Budget Preparations

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I'm not suggesting a conspiracy theory, or anything like that, however, let's have a think about this.

Start with the premise that the Reserve Bank has argued that the tax cuts now, and those given in the past, are inflationary.

The Federal Government is committed to giving tax cuts in the next budget.

Those tax cuts favour the battlers, rightly so.

Now, guess what section of the population smokes and drinks (particularly those mixer drink things) the most. We are making an assumption here, but I think it works.

The government, in a bit of a budget bind, looks for a strategy, and bingo, hits on booze and fags. It was an old favourite.

The final trick will being convincing the Reserve Bank that, in fact, it hasn't given tax cuts at all. And that, I suspect, will be attempted in private.

Is it mad, or could it just be true?

Telstra shuts off CDMA

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OK, it's the obvious joke, but then, Telstra did say it.

Conversations with Banks

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ANZ raises rates again, the others, probably not far behind. Arghhhhh, or should that be ROAR.

Kevin Rudd Helps

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He's riding the crest of the wave, solving all the problems that have been insurmountable to lesser men. Well, when I say he's solved, he's giving the impression that he will tackle the issues others have left to the side.

We may get a republic, tax reform, decent hospitals and schools, world peace?

He may just be feeling that Kevin's help is needed everywhere.

2020 Summit, Reached?

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I'm not being cynical, I'm not being cynical, but, all we have had so far is the initial euphoria.

That was good, there appears to be a sense that something structurally is being done in the country and we may get some real, long needed, change in many areas. However, that is Rudd's greatest danger, ensuring that the result matches the expectation.

What worries me is the word "consider". Whenever I hear the word "consider", I think of my father responding to my request to go to a party on a school night. I never, ever got to go.

Now, Kevin did say that, didn't he? Words to the effect that he would consider the great ideas put before him.

Honestly, I'm not being cynical, but.......

2020 Summit

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I can't help feeling the greatest ideas have come from moments of quiet, solitary, contemplation. I can't help feeling the summit is simply going to be the vehicle to justify some ideas already held. I'm not the first to say that, greater voices than mine have said the same thing. With more and better words.

It was a wise person who said a camel was a horse made by committee. The great idea to come out of the summit could be a camel.

I have to admit this cartoon hasn't quite worked, but I'll give it a couple of days, I might tinker with it, I might just drop it, but I had to put it up, because it's number 100.

Rudd takes on the Oil Companies

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Or was that the Supermarkets. Anyway, it's largely posturing. Without regulating industry, and I'm not advocating that, there isn't a great deal that can be done without genuine competition. Same applies to the Supermarkets, Banks etc.

Though, there is a way you can beat them. Don't buy the two for one lollies.

Rudd's Holiday Stories

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The gap is growing, between Rudd and his ministers. The overseas trip an apparent success, the well considered appointment of our new Governor General. It is all keeping the focus well and truly on the Prime Minister and not really allowing the other Ministers any real chance to build their own profiles.

We all knew, in advance, that Rudd's style is Presidential. That, intentionally, the only point of focus he will allow is on himself. I just wonder how the ministers, particularly those in cabinet, are adapting to that reality.

Rudd Returns Home

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We all know that feeling, the boss is away on holiday, sick or on a business trip, and the office, factory, government just seems to run a little smoother. It's probably just everyone relaxing a bit, having their own holiday at work, but things do seem to run just as well, with just a touch less mania about the place.

Then the boss returns and everything goes back to normal.

Rudd visits China

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They won't be overtly rude, though the Governor of Tibet was vocal in her complaint, but they will express their displeasure with our Prime Minister.

I imagine the Chinese do it in ways that are subtle, and often missed, by those of us who just don't know. But keen watchers of Chinese Diplomacy will notice how the ruling party's displeasure is displayed. It may be by the level, or number, of officials that meet with Kevin, the rooms they meet in, perhaps even the type of tea served, or dare I say, the china used.

I don't know, but I would love to.

The Manchurian Candidate

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I'm sure Rudd is confusing the Chinese, and something tells me they don't like to be confused.

Rudd Visits the Queen

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Salute

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There is something about the White House, once a Prime Minister has been inside they are never the same again. I don't know if it is the intoxicating effects of seeing that level of power, or perhaps even feeling somehow part of it, but they do change. Perhaps it is something more sinister. Whatever, Prime Ministers should not be allowed to visit the White House unaccompanied.

As for the Banks, I just don't know what to say. Except, they always wait to deliver bad news, they wait until they can sneek it through with minimal critisim. The first lot of "extra" rises happened after the election, then which bank waited until late on a Friday to further increase rates.

Rudd in Brussels

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Eeees starting to enjoy himself, our Kevin.

Mind, he's getting a bit grand though.