Who will win on Oct 9th?

[XRBloke]

I wouldn't vote for ALP if you paid me to.

Im sorry but what they have done to this country in the past is a clear indication to why I wouldnt.

If you ask me Howard is doing a great job, things really haven't looked better for us who actually wanna go to work and earn a living. As for the jackasses who sit on their asses half the week they are the only ones who benefit from an ALP government, Mr Beatie up here in QLD is proof of that.

[TurboDewd]

Im a swinging voter who generally leans Left on social things and generally leans Right on economic things.

Since I got the right to vote Ive gone Labor, Lib, Lib, Lib.

Going Labor this time because I am put a bit offside by how Howard, Costello, Downer and Ruddock never admit any wrong on anything at all. People are wrong occasionally and they get my respect if they admit it and try to fix what theyve botched.

Labor will not want to tinker with the economy much, its going well and has been for quite a while really. Labor has moved to the Right on economic matters like Labor UK.

Interest rates are going north whoever is in power and property is a big NO and shares are the GO.

[XRBloke]

Im a swinging voter who generally leans Left on social things and generally leans Right on economic things.

Since I got the right to vote Ive gone Labor, Lib, Lib, Lib.

Going Labor this time because I am put a bit offside by how Howard, Costello, Downer and Ruddock never admit any wrong on anything at all. People are wrong occasionally and they get my respect if they admit it and try to fix what theyve botched.

Labor will not want to tinker with the economy much, its going well and has been for quite a while really. Labor has moved to the Right on economic matters like Labor UK.

Interest rates are going north whoever is in power and property is a big NO and shares are the GO.

I disagree with your last comment, people have made big money in the property market over the last 2 - 3 years, specially up here in QLD. Most properties have gone up atleast 150,000 depending on their location, Shares dont offer such returns plus they can be worthless, property is always going to be worth something if not hold its purchase value, most people are too scared to invest anymore then 10 grand neways, so the results arent that spectacular.

Also another funny thing to add, most people seem to think that interest rates are generally a result of the government in power, which in some circumstances can be correct, but economically speaking this isnt always TRUE...

And since when do politicians admit to be wrong. I don't that's going to happen no matter whos leading the pack!

[Miyagi]

Ho hooo... this is one topic I get passionate about :D (I'm so dull and boring )

Liberal Party -

Pros

- Howard has done is given us a good economic standing and I'll admit he has given us one of the strongest economies in the world..

- Howard has always been predictable and consistent.

- Very much the respectable accountant type of government.

Cons

- They have let education system in australia rot completely... it's officially time to welcome the younger generation to fantastic heights of debt for further education or simply don't go...

- Done very little for health care besides run a beatup add campaign to cram some non-applicable half assed benefits down our throats..

- Lied consistently to the public.

- Pandered to every want of the US government even against the loud vocal outcry of the public.

- Took us to war, increased our 'Terrorist / Crazy Man / Boogey Man' profile and then trys to sell us on a border protection scheme that imprisons other human beings for long periods of time.

- Increased segmentation and racial disparity in our country and made us a target.

- Sets up a watery FTA that could very well destroy our PBS (even though Labour have forced amendments to various sections) amongst many other industries in AU.

Labour Party -

Pros

- Focussing on health and education reform. (Whilst I'm sure I wont agree with everything we need to invest money in our greatest asset)

- Younger leader pushing the visionary line, albeit with a lot of smoke and mirrors at this point.

- Leader, whilst in the past an arrogant sh*t, has displayed more humility of late (most likely due to his fantastic PR team).

Cons

- History of bad economic management... I will admit to being too young to fully understand how bad it got, that said I would think Labour would be more focussed on maintaining a strong economy.

As you can see one would think me a Labour man.... but f*ck that... I don't like either party... I'm one of those kooky Green voters.

Whilst I would never expect (nor want) the Greens to actually win an election, I'd like to see them have more influence in our parliaments for a few reasons.

1. They actually have a thing called a social conscience.

2. They have a concern for our civil rights.

3. I simply agree with some of their basic premises.

One thing that really... REALLY pissed me off recently was the speedy approval of the legislation against same sex marriages... I'm as hetro as they come, but I find the idea that both the Liberals and Labour parties would simply take the easy road rather than being open minded f*cking appauling...

I cannot stand the current arrogance and dishonesty from the Liberals the most at this point in time.. and whilst Labour will no doubt take up the usual opposition tactic of 'smoke and mirrors' campaigning (to avoid locking in their policy details) I think a change is required.

Have a serious read of what the Greens offer if you are looking to give a party with a conscience some form of representation in the Senate. Sure I don't agree with their more outlandish ideas that would simply cripple our nation, but deep down... I agree with them... the most.

(Now that was a rant)... keen to hear what other peoples thoughts are on this, but please keep it friendly..

Cheers,

Miyagi

[Lumpen]

LP,

You are a brave man supporting the ALP.

ALP = NFI

I really hope that people remember back to the recession we had to have under the ALP and how badly the fcuked the country up. Latham and his goons would have trouble managing a hotdog stand at the footy. If Labor wins I think the economy will be up $hit creek with only latham holding the paddle and that makes me

The ONLY thing the ALP is good for is being in opposition

I am not an ALP supporter per se. I probably won't give them first preference in the House of Reps, and DEFINATELY not in the senate. Though, as ours is a two party system, it is the lesser of two evils in my opinion.

I'm just working out a way to register 'True Labour' as my political party. I am sick of men in expensive suits, with no experience in the real world (except Abbott, he got a girl up the duff and dumped her and ran away and he has the hide to claim to be the Moral Crusader of Aussie Politics) trying to dictate to the general populous what is right on the basis of maximising of profits and kneejerk reactions in fear of loosing a percentage point in an irrelevant poll.

From my understanding, the 'Recession We Had to Have' under two of the greatest Labor rats of all time was actually, ironicly a direct result of capitalistic greed and the corporate machine taking whatever steps nessecary to recoup the losses from whoever will grin and bear it the best, the average Australian.

Wasn't it because Bond, Skase and Entrepreneaurs et al fleeced the big boys for BILLIONS, they needed to get back these funds, and the easiest way was to whisper in 'Pig Boy Pauls' and say 'We're gonna jack up the Interest Rate to 17%, hold on for the ride and we'll look after you later'?

So do we only make our decisions on what has happened in the past? What about Howards track record of raping Medicare (even under Fraser) and the public school system (though it was 'Paper Tiger Gough' who first started that rot). For introducing a 'Never Ever' Tax that was meant to remove all the other hidden taxes and excises, but only did the former. For making tertiary education a product, not a preference while sitting back on their free degrees saying that it's not right for people to not pay to go to uni...

Ohhhhh, I could go on forever on this subject. One of the few things I'm passionate about!

What I'm REALLY stoked about is that this will be my FIRST election May seem strange to some, but I've been waiting for this for about 6 years, ever since I started drinking in Pubs :D

The ball is out there

Lumpy

[ducatijb]

Little Johnny Howard....

Can't wait to send Australia Broke" Mark Latham.....

Pauline Hanson....

[ktford]

Interest rates are going north whoever is in power and property is a big NO and shares are the GO.

Wash your mouth out you dirty little boy.

Scotty

[ktford]

I'm one of those kooky Green voters.

So in other words you'll waste your vote, yes?

Scotty

[plonky]

A vote for the ALP is a vote for Simon Crean as Treasurer, Kim Beazley as Minister for 'Knowledge Nation', Martin Ferguson as Employer Basher

The ALP is run by Union thugs who do not represent the worker, but only look after their own worker funded power base.

Who can forget those exorbitant interest rates under Hawke and Keating. Who can forget the recession we HAD to have. Who can forget Hawkes big statement " By 1990 no child shall live in poverty" Who can forget the social destruction that Whitlam created when he went on his spending spree. Who can forget the union strikes week after week as the unions blackmailed employers and Governments alike.

Obviously I will vote Liberal only because I have the upmost admiration from Tony Abbott, Philip Ruddock and Ross Cameron (a personal friend)

I admire John Howard but am not overly fussed on Peter Costello.

By the way, have we had any illegal boats trading in humans enter the shores since the line in the sand was drawn?

If you want to enter Australia, then you either it the same way everybody else does - legally!

I think the Government will be returned with a reduced majority.

[turbotom]

All I'm gonna say, is that I've never been in this financial position before....

Low interest rates, decent pay (although we can always do with more) and a pretty good outlook on life!

I hope my lot in life doesn't go backwards after October 9th.

I've been through the 18% interest rates on home loans with labour in control.

I would NOT wish that on anyone.

Is Johnny Howard a bad boy for dragging us into Iraq? probably yes.

Has he steered this country to its best economic position that I can remember?

Yes he has.

Is labor gonna make a whole lot of promises for short term vote grabbing.

probably...

Will they have the ability to maintain a great future beyond one term in office?

I Don't think so.

I might have blinkers on, or I might be one eyed, but my memory seems to recall that Labor always seem to spend a whole lot of money in a way that is NEVER sustainable. They get our country into huge debt, and then there is usually a change of government and the Libs are $hit canned for introducing measures of hardship, 'cause they take the responsibility to look at the longer term view of keepingh this country financially bouyant.

I looked at theis topic, and said to myself.... " tommy, Don't get involved"

"It's a No win situation" Many people are set in their ways and will vote only one way and nothing said to them will change their minds.

I always assess track record. Whether it's in selecting mods for my car, or voting for a leader..... the data you should base your decisions on is the performance and track record of the product.

Like I said, I'm happy with my lot in life at present. It's NOT perfect, but I have lived through damn worse periods in this country.

For all his foibles, and mannerisms we joke about, the current Liberal government is doing alright in my book.

tom