The Australian politics thread

[Burgey]

Saw that today. Will be interesting to see if:

a. it's the start of a trend
b. was the start of a trend but this week has been a shocker so it will be reversed or
c. it's just coming into line with the other published polls.

On the facial hair thing - curious that no PM since Hughes has had a mo or beard. What's the old saying about never trusting a man with a beard? Surely they can't all have heard it?

[Burgey]

Newspoll today - still 55-45 ALP.

[howardj]

Newspoll today - still 55-45 ALP.

They said 56-44 on Lateline last night. Must be the ABC bias coming through again!

[pasag]

I still don't know why Howard didn't get out while he had the chance. It must be an ego thing or something or he really doesn't care about the chance of losing an election and how much that would taint his record in history as long as he has even the slightest chance of winning. Or maybe he knows something we don't. Meh.

[howardj]

My view is that, as Kim Beazley's former chief of staff wrote recently, Howard loves the Liberal Party (he doesn't just see it as a vehicle for his own ambition, like Turnbull or Costello) and genuinely believes he is the best chance of winning. I think he believed, at the time of contemplating retirement last year, that the avuncular Beazley would have beaten Costello - hence he decided to stay. There's little doubt he's the best man, from those on offer, to lead the Coalition to the election. Whether he'll win is another matter.

Anyway, good to be back in my own bed tonight, after sleeping out last night to buy his Biography first thing this morning! Should be an awesome read! lol.

[James90]

CPI is at 2.1% so far this calendar year. I smell an interest rate rise and a Labor victory come election time.

[Mr Casson]

CPI is at 2.1% so far this calendar year. I smell an interest rate rise and a Labor victory come election time.

I'm still not sold on the Labor victory yet - particularly if they lose their footing on the affordable-housing issue, which they have made a bit of a catchcry of.

[howardj]

CPI is at 2.1% so far this calendar year. I smell an interest rate rise and a Labor victory come election time.

From mumble.com.au

There are two broad opinions about the political effect of interest rate rises: that they are bad for the government; and they are good for the government. I'm with the latter.

It's true that every rise dents just a smidgin Howard and Costello's economic credentials, but they can still point to those late 80s numbers under Labor. And yes, voters will be a little inclined to punish the government, but much more powerful is fear of the future.

As we know, lots of folks are geared up to buggery, and if on election day people are really worried about hitting the wall under possible interest rate rises, then the government - the safe option - will benefit.

That's one reason why I reckon mortgage-belt areas will, relative to others, stick with Howard.

[Burgey]

From mumble.com.au

There are two broad opinions about the political effect of interest rate rises: that they are bad for the government; and they are good for the government. I'm with the latter.

It's true that every rise dents just a smidgin Howard and Costello's economic credentials, but they can still point to those late 80s numbers under Labor. And yes, voters will be a little inclined to punish the government, but much more powerful is fear of the future.

As we know, lots of folks are geared up to buggery, and if on election day people are really worried about hitting the wall under possible interest rate rises, then the government - the safe option - will benefit.

That's one reason why I reckon mortgage-belt areas will, relative to others, stick with Howard.

I must say I've thought that myself. But then I looked at the Newspoll figures in marginals - 59-41 tpp. This might bring some back to the government.

[howardj]

Happy Birthday J-Ho.

[pasag]

Bracks Probably my favourite person in politics ever. Can't recal ever being happier when he won in 99, despite us losing the GF the next day. Top bloke imo and never saw this coming.

[alternative]

Bracks Probably my favourite person in politics ever. Can't recal ever being happier when he won in 99, despite us losing the GF the next day. Top bloke imo and never saw this coming.

Look you guys are dire, so it shouldn't really matter anyway.

[Dasa]

Bracks Probably my favourite person in politics ever. Can't recal ever being happier when he won in 99, despite us losing the GF the next day. Top bloke imo and never saw this coming.

Yeah pretty shocked tbh. Came out of nowhere. I didn't mind Bracks, didn't particularly like him but didn't have any problems either, generally fair performance as Premier imo.

[Johnners]

**** i hate Peter Beattie & the QLD government. (Think i may have said it once before, but i'll say it again, just in case)

[Burgey]

Haneef charges dropped.

And now Andrews alters the basis of his detention. The man must resign. Where's the secret info? Where's the important stuf which wrrants locking him up? Answer: there wasn't any. If there was, why alter the decision?

What a bloody disgrace. This poor bloke has been used as some sort of pawn. Unles Andrews releases that info, he must resign.