It’s awesome to love politics and be a Queenslander because it is all happening in Queensland.

It’s like we have two awesome stories to follow. The State Election between Bligh and Campbell Newman, which the Lord Mayor of Brisbane coming out to lead the attack on the Premier from outside parliament.

And then the Federal scene, which would be so very despressing without the Kevin Rudd narrative. Something I enjoy being a dedicated Ruddite. It really is a page turner, motivated by my two favourite things, revenge and justice. Which to me, are basically the same word.

It reminds me of when we had both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager to watch. We were spoilt and we are spoilt right now. But instead of 45minute episode this show goes 24/7!

So with TDV HQ being in QLD it is up to us to get involved and report on the lunacy and drama of politics. And anything can happen, the last 12 months have been insane.

But don’t take Sheldon’s word for it as he isn’t a real Queenslander. He supports AFL and loves daylight savings. He doesn’t even wear sleeves on his shirts anymore.

But apart from having a smug grin on my face and the occasional accusing Sheldon of being a tratior. I promise I won’t go over board with the Queensland thing. Just like being Australian, it kind of defeats the purpose of it to brag about it. I was nearly sick during the post flood/cyclone crisis hearing Anna Bligh hammer on about how “WE ARE QUEENSLANDERS” and somehow we have superpowers and are better than the other states and territories of Australia. We need to be careful we aren’t loathed by the rest of Australia, that is a position that is reserved for Victoria.

For those people in the southern states, Anna actually went on the Footy Show when it was hosted in Brisbane, wearing a custom made maroon coloured polo with the giant words “WE ARE QUEENSLANDERS”. It smacked of desperation.

So stick with Brad, the real deal CAN DO NEWMAN!

BRAD OUT

Well it is a few days after the Election and the Australian people are left with political stalemate with a handful of Independents and one Green MP holding the power to make either a Labor or a Coalition government.

I’m shocked at the collapse of Labor. Sure the ALP had it’s problems earlier in the year. But the events of the last few months haven’t done anything to eleviate those problems, just burry them in new and perhaps more dangerous and u tangible issues such as infighting, lack of trust and glossy lip service.

I think Aussies can cop the former to a better extent than thelater.

Well while I’ve been offline here at the TDV I was at the coalface of the Election. Campaigning for Kevin Rudd in Griffith. And I can report that it was a fantastic day, our booth had one of the lowest swings against Kevin and the following branch party at Easts Leagues had a good and positive vibe. We really did celebrate.

I said to some colleguea how ” We did the best we could, we stuck up for what we believe in and even though the ALP may be in trouble nationally, we will all sleep soundly tonight.”

Sure Kevin did have a swing against him. But nearly all the lost votes went to the Greens and only a small amount to the Coalition. Kevin still ended up with 58odd 2PP. And while there was a swing, people need to realise the massive position he was coming from. Also Kevin was in hospital early in the campaign and then campaigned in other Electorates.

Anyway well done Kevin! I was so proud. Particularly when he gave his speech saying “We stand for core Labor values! Core Australian values!” and also cited how the ALP stands for a fair go and offering the hand of welcome to people coming from other countries to Australia.

It was so refreshing to hear us talk about being the Australia I so desperately want us to be. One with a heart!

It was also fantastic to see Kevin Rudd in great form, fired up and passionate.

On the subject sweeping the nation about who will win power. It is tricky. I cam see Pros and Cons for post sides.

For instance the Coalition may be more politically alligned with the Independents. As well as the voters from the Electorates. Tony also looks to be about to secure more seats than the ALP. Which I find stunning. Tony also offers a fresh start.

The ALP offers some attractive policies such as the NBN. Higher 2PP vote, although it’s hard to argue with Tony’s superior seat tally. The ALP offers perhaps a more functional governement more likely to get stuff through a Greens controlled Senate. The Coalition failing to submit polices to Treasury is also another blackmark.

Gee tough. I don’t know. I think maybe Coalition…. Sadly enough. But worst case scenario, please keep the NBN.

I loved hearing about how Kevin Rudd had a good relationship with the Independents. And how Bib Katter said that if Kevin was still PM, that it would be hard to go against Labor.

But if Kevin Rudd was still Prime Minister we would not be having this debate. As Kevin would have won and we would be sailing into the second term of Rudd’s Labor Government.

They called what happened to Kevin “political assassination” well what happened after that could only be described as “political suicide”.

Anyway. That is where I was. Oiling the wheels of Democracy. Having a great time with my Labor colleagues and also breaking bread with the Greens at our booth.

Where was Sheldon?

Probably got smashed on vodka watching the Election and spent the rest of the night battling his rebelling body…

BRAD OUT

Not long now until the Election. Hard to believe. It all still feels like a bad dream to me. I really expected Kevin Rudd to be PM for at least three terms. It has rocked my world.

But with the approaching Election Day. I thought I had better check my AEC roll details. It would be a nightmare for me to have to vote in my former bogan Electorate of Wright.

I missed the Peoples Forum at the Broncos Leagues club last night. I will definitely watch a tape though. Seems Julia came out on top. At least just. Not surprising. When you screw up so much you must learn what not to do.

Not good news for Abbott to give her the slipstream so close to the Election. But it still will be bloody interesting to see how this all winds up. Which seats change hands and what type of swings we witness.

It really has been an achilles heal for Abbott on their shoddy broadband policy. To not only not offer anywhere near as good a policy but also promise to junk the NBN. We attempted to give the free market the opportunity to provide services to regional and rural Australia and it just does not work. Not in a country the size of Australia. Companies follow the dollar signs. People need to realise that companies aren’t interesting in charity or subsidising regional Aussies, they are machines focused on greed.

But it has really turned alot of potential Coalition voters off and means they don’t listen to what else the Coalition are saying. It makes Abbott seem so out of touch. Also gives Gillard an edge to slice into Abbott with. And she uses it not only on a communication front but commerce and health.

It seems all roads lead to the NBN for Labor.

Probably fair enough too. I think it will be the issue that the Coalition lose the Election on!

Some other policies of note include welfare policies from both sides with the ALP offering relocation payments for jobseekers to take up work. But also the Coalition offering up to $6,500 in incentives to job seeker who hold a job for two years. $2,500 after one year and $4,000 after two. It may seem to many like bullshit. But I think it is healthy and will encourage long term unemployed into the work force. Nothing brings a sense of worth and wellbeing to a person than feeling productive. These people would be used to living on little money. But encouraging them to work and giving them incentives may make them enjoy richer lives which require working hard to maintain. I am all for policies that help break cycles in a positive way.

But back to the Peoples Forum. Boy would I love just a chance to ask ONE question to Julia Gillard.

Something like “How on Earth can you justify what you have done to Kevin Rudd when your performance after the coup was lacklustre a best even when you had all the goodwill of being the first female PM and that opinion polls turned against you with many recently tracking you for defeat? How has the government lost it’s way when you have not taken it into any new directions? Especially considering you were personally responsible for most of these policies as well as one of the worst the BER program and pushing the scrap the ETS which is seen as a Waterloo for Kevin Rudd. At the same time you have thrown petrol on the fire of the ALPs greatest weakness, an impression… Sorry a reality that the party is controlled by factions and unions, knifing Kevin has stained the reputation of Labor for years to come. I also think it is bullshit that you wash your hands of all of this, skirt around it, gloss over it and people and the media actually let you get away with it! I want to vote for a party that sticks by their leader through tough times and good and shows loyalty. I hate you!”

I’m bitter too, bitter like Sheldon. A different kind of bitter though. I’m more like an Autobot from the 1985 animates movie after Optimus Prime dies and the Autobots are led in disarray. I miss you Optimus Rudd…

But I’m also disillusioned by lack of policy debate, playing it safe, trivial bullshit and how this Election isn’t “Vote for me because this is my vision for the future” it’s “Don’t vote for them because…”

We can only hope for more inspiring futures.

Oh which reminds me. One of my favourite topics. A Republic. I am all for a Republic, in due course… when our country grows up enough to deserve it. But Gillard ran this one up the flagpole the other day. Basically restating Kevin Rudds position (Why did we change PMs again?) which is not until monarch change. But the real issue is talking about an irrelevant issue during the height of an Election campaign. It is straight out of the Anna Bligh playbook of distraction like when she rose the issue of daylight savings in QLD just to deflect attention away from the asset sale fiasco. I think many people instantly drew this conclusion as well.

Anyway. I’m out of here for now. Keep well lovers of Democracy!

BRAD OUT

I’m calling it. Labor victory. In the last few days the Coalition have squandered their genuine chance at winning government.

On the weekend the Coalition were ahead or neck and neck withtje ALP on 2PP. But it all went wrong since theor campaign launch on Sunday. They said nothing new, nothing to inspire, showed no leadership and were overwhelmingly negative.

Things haven’t improved over the last few days and the Coalitions pathetic Broadband policy is not just a shot duck, it is a bullet wound in the Coalition that will not only hurt but fester. It smacks of lack of mindless contempt and understanding about the needs and wants of contemporary Australia and what is needed to compete internationally.

Oh yes we all love to cheer on the Aussies at the Olympics or the Kangaroos, Socceroos or Hockeyroos. We take international “sporting” competion so seriously. But here we are getting our ass handed to us internationally in Broadband and people need to get pissed off about it.

While Abbott floundered, Gillard has surged and has made alot of successful and well received public and television appearances as well as unloading some pork flavourped olicy and funding committments. Including the Parramatta rail link in Sydney. (Hopefully inspiring more people to travel to NRL games I’m western Sydney)

The old Manly Sea Eagles, whose “stadium” truly resembles my backyard only that it is mowed and lined, they are appealing to theor local MP Tony Abbott for a funding committment of $30million to upgrade it into a 24,000 capacity venue. Much needed but Manly rattling the tin in hope has been a fixture for decades. Though I did sign the petition to upgrade Brooky in 2008 and I have attended Brookvale three times. So it might benefit me. Maybe a concrete bunker provided for away fans. I barely get out of that place intact and alive and that is when the Titans lose!

BRAD OUT

Hi fellow Election fans! Sorry for dropping off the radar for the last couple days. It’s been a pretty busy weekend with Friday being game day for the mighty Gold Coast Titans and nothing but Rugby League gets a run on those day. Great win by the Titans over Parra 34-12. And then Saturday was the birthday of a good friend. And.. Yea Sunday I bludged around.

But the entire time I’ve been plugged into the Election. Including watching Sundays Coalition launch in Brissie. Ithought it played it safe with no big policy announcements bar stiffer penalities for people smuggler such as manatory jail and a ten year sentence for repeat offenders. But I was disappointed that they didn’t move onto new ground.

It was also a launch dripping with negativity and a terribly bad campaign song… Oh my god, that song grates my soul. “Stand up Australia!” they should lose the Election merely as punishment for bringing that out of tune abomination into this world.

The absense of a strong economic backbone to the Coalition is unusual which has been a stable for a long time. Mainly because 1. They have none. 2. Labor didn’t do a too shabby job through the GFC.

The only other thing that rivals my allegic reaction to the “Stand Up Australia” song is the Liberal deputy Julie Bishop herself. I can’t stand her voice and her personality. They should just keep her in a box for two weeks.

They should use more Joe Hockey. Beyond Abbott I doubt the general public knows too many of the senior Coalition team. Especially now that Malcolm Turnbull has been exiles to the backbench. People know Hockey and he has the same “Sunrise” recognition that helped elevate Kevin Rudd to popularity.

I’ll get my wish today with the Treasurers’ debate between Hockey and Wayne Swan. I’m looking forward to see how the economic debate pans out. I can see Swan getting pretend grumpy and throwing accusations at Hockey already. If the Coalition can gain ground on the economy debate, it’ll go a long way towards sealing victory.

Kevin Rudd begun campaigning yesterday in some of Brisbane’s marginal seats. With a sudden appearance at Carindale shopping centre on the Southside. A short notice hit and run to wrong foot the media. Of course it was no questions from the media again today.

So strange to see the ALP so desperately needing the man they ousted. It makes me wonder what would have been. And how much more inspiring a Rudd v Turnbull election might have been.

A policy appeared from the Julia camp over the weekend. Allowing aged pensioners to earn $6,500 throught part time work without it affecting their benefits. I think this is a big winner. It encourages work participation, increases productioty and helps pensioners better manage theor finances.

Abbott also had policy on offering guaranteed work for some people on job seeker allowances. I’m pretty hazy on this. But think offering proper work to the unemployed to be a fantastic idea. And I believe it will motivate alot of people out there and at least give them some more work experience. I’ll definitely have to do some more research into this one.

Enjoy the Swan vs Hockey debate today. If you are at work or uni, you can watch live streaming through A-PAC

BRAD OUT