THE DONKEY VOTE

Thank you Mr Tony Abbott for the 31st of October 2007. It was a laugh and then just got funnier and funnier.

It all started yesterday when the nutcase known as Tony Abbott had a go at Bernie  Banton describing his delivering of a petition with over 17,000 signatures on it to push for the addition of the mesothelioma drug Alimta on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as a stunt.

He went on to say….

 ”Let’s be up front about this, I know Bernie is very sick, but just because a person is sick doesn’t necessarily mean that he is pure of heart in all things,” Mr Abbott told the Nine Network.

Well at the crack of dawn Mr Abbott, one of the Coalition’s favoured politcal attack dogs was on the horn to Bernie doing his tricks, begging and rolling over.

Then he missed his big appointment with Nicola Roxon Labor’s Shadow Health Minister at the National Press Club for the Health debate! He rocks up 35 minutes late claiming he flew in from Melbourne where they made a major policy announcement and questions from journalists ran over time. Come on Tones, that is a lame excuse, even I have better organisational skills than that.

So that certainly put everyone in the room off side and gave Nicola more than a handful off free kicks.

One of my favourites being….

“I could do an impersonation if it helped,” she said to laughter. “My office says it’s quite good.”

Now I only got to watch the debate at the gym and some highlights ABC radio. Now if the worm didn’t like Costello or Howard can you imagine it’s opinion of Tonz? I thought Nicola performed brilliantly and I think her style and passion will make her popular with the voters, Labor need to wheel her out more.

Here is a blow by blow blog of the titantic affair that was the health debate.

Great Debate III - Tony Abbott v Nicola Roxon

And then to add insult to Tonz injury

As the debate was under way, Mr Abbott’s office announced the federal takeover of Mersey Hospital had been put on hold, a day before it was due to be handed over by the Tasmanian Government.

Haha. They say misfortune comes in threes, but I’m hoping it continues into Thursday.

NEWSLINK: TONY’S DAY FROM HELL

It was certainly Labor’s day, sure the Coalition released a health policy, but who knew? Everyone was too busy being informed of the antics of their Health Minister.

Kevin Rudd announced a health policy, $600million will be spent to reduce elective surgery waiting times in public hospitals over the next four years.

A good start, but health in Australia needs a lot more investment, I will be very disappointed if I don’t see some significant investment in health and education.

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I’m going to go to bed, I haven’t slept in three days.

Donkey, remember to post a Day 17 Wrap FFS.

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The last couple of days have certainly been better ones for the Coalition, which I have to say has surprised me. As previously posted on the Donkey Vote, Howard has pulled back four points in the two party preferred in Newspoll. Costello might be a little disappointed that he didn’t have a big win over Swan in the debate but from what I’ve read it was at probably a draw, maybe with Costello ahead but at least it wasn’t a loss for the government.

The big news story in the last day or two has been the gaffe by Labor over climate change. Garrett, shadow environment minister and sell out, came out and said that Australia would sign up to a post-Kyoto agreement even if developing nations weren’t signed up. Initially it seems that this position had Rudd’s support but after an attack by Howard saying that this position would lose Australia jobs, Garrett and Rudd both backflipped on the issue. After this Rudd came out and said he wouldn’t guarantee that Garrett would be environment minister in a Labor government. Personally I’d probably pick a politician with actual abilities to do the job rather than someone who’s been given a free ride due to his popularity. Then again, at least it would be one minister who wasn’t part of the union movement.

Turnbull is probably happy about this as it takes the focus on his problems for the moment. Climate change was one area where the Labor Party were outshining the Coalition so it will be interesting to see whether this has any effect on the polls. Labor did come out with an energy target of 20% renewable energy by 2020 which trumps the Government’s 15% as a way to deflect from the blunder from Labor’s all-star spokesman.

The we have Gary Parr, a Labor candidate for Bundaberg, who called the parents of a British soldier serving in Afghanistan “warmongers”. A clear case of foot in mouth disease I feel. Even if you believe that, you don’t say it. Howard’s putting the pressure on for Rudd to sack Parr but I’m not sure that’ll happen.

Funny how politics can seem to turn around in a couple of days. You’d have to argue that Rudd and Labor have lost some of their momentum of the last week with the gaffes that have been occurring recently. Rudd probably wishes some of his team knew how to keep their mouths shut.

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I am getting a little sick and tired of Brad and Sheldon not helping me with the Daily Wraps.

Anyway Day 16 is over and well it is really a couple of hours into Day 17.

So here is vaguely what happened!

The big event of the day was the Treasurer’s Debate at the National Press Club today at 12:30pm. The highlight of the proceedings was definitely the questions from journalists who shook things up a bit.

Both performed well and Peter Costello’s ability to turn a question around and fire it off in the direction of Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and the Labor party has to be commended.

The Coalition released a $168million small business training policy.

The latest Newspoll published in The Australian shows a Coalition comeback, with Labor ahead 54-46 TPP. It puts Howard in his strongest position since Rudd took over Federal Labor.

The Labor Party comes under fire because of rogue candidate for Hinkler, Garry Parr called a couple whose son is serving with British forces in Afghanistan warmongers.

Kevin Rudd commits Labor to a green target of 20% renewable engery by 2020. A move welcomed by hippies…I mean the greens and environmental groups.

A lot of other stuff probably happened, but how am I supposed to know?

I am just a donkey.

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Well just when I thought we couldn’t fit in any more details, I work out that there is another debate on tomorrow on Sky News. This time a Health debate featuring Tony Abbott v Nicola Roxon.

I won’t be home for that one and will have to tape it, but health is a front Labor can score a lot of points on so I am hoping for a strong performance. Might not hurt to use the opportunity to launch some significant health policy tomorrow morning!

So who is next?

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Some K-Mail highlights…

K07 Worm Petition Update
In what was probably a world first, thousands of you signed our petition to save an inanimate invertebrate. Australia’s favourite little wriggler made it to the debate thanks to you. The petition will be presented to the President of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery - so thank you once again for your support of free speech.

Return of the worm a win for Wayne
Thanks to its timely liberation, the worm was able to squirm again in today’s debate between Wayne Swan and Peter Costello. The official result on A Current Affair declared Wayne Swan the winner by a comfortable 56 - 38 margin.

Here is some Labor online goodies, desktop wallpaper, mobile wall paper and email signatures. http://www.kevin07.com.au/get-involved/get-involved/do-your-bit-online-24.html

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The latest Newspoll is out in The Australian. The Coalition has taken 4 points off Labor’s TPP lead and Prime Minister John Howard has also had some personal victories, with his satisfaction rating going up 4 points and he also moved 4 points up in Preferred PM…

I think I am seeing a trend here, today’s special number is 4.

Labor still hold a commanding lead but this newspoll puts the Coalition in its best position since Kevin Rudd took over as Labor leader at the end of 2006, which at least must be a small reason for joy on the conservative side of politics.

This Coalition resurgence also took place during a relatively lacklustre week for the Coalition with most commentators awarding Week 2 to Kevin Rudd.

PRIMARY VOTE

Coaltion - 42% (Up 4%)

Labor - 48% (Down 3%)

TWO PARTY PREFERRED

Coaltion - 46% (Up 4%)

Labor - 54% (Down 4%)

PREFERRED PRIME MINISTER

John Howard - 41% (Up 4%)

Kevin Rudd - 48% (Down 2%)

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Other features of the poll are…

- Who do you think is more capable of managing Australia’s economy as Federal Treasurer?

- If elected on Nov 24, which of the following do you trust more to deliver the tax cuts recently announced as part of their election tax packages?

- Which of John Howard or Kevin Rudd do you think is most capable of keeping interest rates lower?

- The Reserve Bank will consider interest rates at its meeting on November 6th. If the Reserve Bank were to increase interest rates, would this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the Coalition at the Federal election, or would it make no difference to the way you vote?

Follow the link below for the results of those questions.

NEWSPOLL LINK: Coalition halves Labor lead

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First we had Howard v Rudd, then today’s Costello v Swan now we have Downer v McClelland.

What’s next? Garrett v Turnbull?

Turbull v Howard? Oh that one is only for inside cabinet…

Or as Sheldon so eloquently suggested…

Get the Labor and Liberal MPs with the biggest margins and get them to debate about whatever the #### they want.

Hey maybe some bright spark can release them as a three DVD box set! I know at least me and Sheldon would buy them, well I would, Sheldon would pirate a copy. So much for respecting the economy.

But first up we still have today’s Treasurer’s debate.

The debate will be broadcast on SKY news starting at noon. There will be pre and post debate discussion with political and business experts.

Should be very interesting and dare I say it entertaining, if you can’t watch it I am sure SKY NEWS will replay it at nauseam on their digital election channel.

I’m a Swan fan, I have fallen in love with his incessant Question Time interjections, smart remarks and subsequent ejections from parliament. GO SWAN!

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Another Newspoll out and the Coalition have come back, up 4 points. But admittedly the last Newspoll had Labor at an unrealistic (Well not in my personal world.) rating of 58% TTP.  So the poll still goes to Labor with 54/46 TTP.

It’s apparently the best Coalition newspoll since Rudd took over the Labor party.

On the preferred Prime Minster front Howard is up 4 points to 41 and Rudd is down 2 points to 48.

I am comforted that the poll still lands in that consistent 54-56 TPP bracket for Labor. Sure Labor in the past have polled high but it is different in 2007. Never before has the Labor leader polled so high as Preferred Prime Minister, with Kevin Rudd still holding ascendancy in that area.

That is what makes 2007 a lot different. The polls are consistent, Kevin Rudd is recognised as a reliable and competent alternative leader and I am sure the polls will translate across to Election day falling in that 54-64 TTP range.

Thank god wordpress has spell check…

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As the sun sets on Day 15 of the Federal Election campaign let’s reflect on the day that has passed.

And here is the blow by blow account of the day as best as my equine brain can recall.

Labor leader Mr Kevin Rudd was in sunny Cairns Queensland in between enjoying a glass bottom boat tour of the Great Barrier Reef with his Environment spokesman Peter Garrett he announced a $200million funding package to protect the national treasure from climate change and declining water quality.

Greens leader Senator Bob Brown was quick to attack Labor over the hypocracy of attempting to save the Barrier Reef but not drastically cutting Australia’s green house emissions.

John Howard begun the day in his Electorate of Bennelong in Sydney announcing $12million in health funding to the The Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Putney

John Howard then turned up in Melbourne later in the day to announce the Coalition $2.1 billion / 10 year plan to create 100 additional technical colleges throughout Australia.

Another debate. Following the Howard v Rudd show down and Tuesdays’ debate pitting Peter Costello against Labor’s Wayne Swan we now have a third act. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer and his Opposition counterpart Robert McClelland have organised a debate for November 15.

Down in Tasmania there are claims that the Federal take over of the Mersey hospital could be in ruins over a staffing dispute.

The Australian Democrats launched the parties’ women’s policy targeting paid maternity leave for all women immediately and a national review of pay equity.

Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile came out in defence of the Coalition’s campaign tactics.

Kevin Rudd claims he is unaware of any Federal Labor pressure on NT Child Protection Minister Marion Scrymgour to renege on comments against the Federal Indigenous  intervention in NT.

Peter Garrett backflips on new post-Kyoto climate accord.

A Daily Telegraph / Galaxy poll in the NSW marginal seats of Lindsay, Dobell, Robertson and Paterson and shows that the Coalition stands to lose two and the other two are in danger.

The ABC’s Four Corners broke a story on the RAAF’s new frontline bomber the Super Hornet being inferior and that it’s purchase was a grave and ill advised mistake.

A lot of other stuff probably happened, but how am I supposed to know?

I am just a donkey.

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Well the second week of the campaign is over and Rudd looks to be well and truly on top. A poor result in the debate for Howard and the imminent threat of higher interest rates have undone much of the good work of the Coalition earlier in the campaign. Apparently there are some senior Liberals asking Howard to change his campaign tactics, focusing more on the future instead of the past. It’s a valid criticism because while experience and record was the right focus in the last election against Latham who was seen by many as untried and inexperienced, this tactic hasn’t been effective against Rudd who’s had a more conservative campaign than Latham did in 2004. Howard has announced a unemployment target of 3% by 2010 but I’m not sure this will be enough.

Can the Coalition move to a more future focused campaign this late in the game? Possibly but whether they can get any momentum from it half way into an election campaign is another thing. I’m predicting that you will probably see a slight change of tactics this week. But then again, look at my record of predictions so far in this campaign… I am due for some luck though.

It’ll probably surprise no one but Family First have dropped their candidate Andrew Quah after photos have come of him exposing himself. Brad managed to find the photos and has forwarded them on to me and I’m wishing that he hadn’t. For one the production values are terrible and second, if you’re going to be exposing yourself you might want to have something a little more significant to expose. By the way, I don’t think they are photoshopped unfortunately for Andrew. I was half thinking of posting the photos on here but I think I’m doing a community a service by not doing so. And if Brad could find them I’m sure you can discover them without too much difficulties with a little application. Then again, you’d be better off using your internet time to find something a little more “interesting”.

Howard has promised an upgrade to a rehab centre in Bennelong. I bet he’s as surprised as anyone that he’s had to offer marginal seat style bribes to his own electorate. Bennelong residents are probably happy, they might get a few more handouts before the end of the election campaign… but then again, it doesn’t matter if Howard doesn’t win. Depending on what campaign funds the Labor Party has earmarked for Bennelong, it could be happy times down there. Well as happy as you get from campaign promises. I think Brad gets excited by promises in whatever beyond the Black Stump electorate he’s in.

Kevin Reynolds, construction union boss, has come out and called the sacking of union thug Joe McDonald under Rudd’s orders “ruthless”. Reynolds should probably realise that it’s only helping Howard to be continuing the media coverage of this issue. I can understand the need to protect a member’s rights but now is not the time. Reynolds and others in the union movement should keep their mouths shut and wait till after the election to deal with these issues otherwise they are just going to sabotage Rudd’s campaign. Although on the other hand these comments probably makes Rudd look tough against the unions which will counteract Howard’s anti-union campaign. I guess it evens out in the long run but you wouldn’t want the Coalition to gain any traction on the issue.

Finally some good news for the Coalition: Howard rallies to late win, actually I think that’s about American football. What about Howard’s way both generous and bold, no that’s about Philip Howard, artistic director. Satellite Ratings? Howard Does Well, hmm Howard Stern there I think.

Oh well, no good news I guess.

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