Wednesday 27 February 2013

Labor's biggest losers should take a bow


Labor's biggest losers should take a bow



Eric Lobbecke
Illustration: Eric Lobbecke Source: The Australian
WHEN the PM put a ring around a September election date, voters started running for the hills.
This debacle calls for a line-up of those who got it so wrong. Given that the Gillard experiment never looked so dismal, here's the first in a two-part line-up of losers and winners.
First, Labor's top five malefactors, the men and women to blame if it loses office. Yes, the competition is fierce but the top five stand out for messing up so badly. Next week, the other side of the equation: the top five Liberal backbenchers to be promoted - the benefactors should Tony Abbott win the next federal election.
Earning a spot in Labor's top five depends on two criteria: first, individual effort for bringing Labor to its electoral knees. Second, a consistent knack to reflect a broader problem that has brought the Labor brand into disrepute.
There is no contest for first prize. Julia Gillard's political misjudgments are rivalled only by her policy mistakes. We know her political blunders well enough: not explaining why a serving PM was kicked out in secret; the farcical introduction of the "real Julia"; then dumping on Kevin Rudd in a manner rarely seen in Australian political history. Understandably, voters wondered why Labor made this man leader in the first place.
Add to the list the alliance with the Greens; reneging on her "no carbon tax" promise; installing Peter Slipper as Speaker; dumping a pokies deal with independent Andrew Wilkie; standing by the sexting Slipper; promising a surplus, only to dump that promise too; the clumsy "captain's pick" for the Senate; and announcing a September 14 election.
The policy mistakes? We know them well, too: the stillborn East Timor solution; the ill-fated Malaysia solution; the humiliating return to offshore processing; the knee-jerk ban on beef exports; an emissions trading scheme that looks set to penalise Australia just as the EU carbon price falls; and a shambolic mining tax. Abstract promises about a national disability insurance scheme and "get a Gonski" education reforms are not policy achievements.
Gillard also wins the top guernsey for what she symbolises. Far from being a Labor warrior, her lack of convictions will mark her down in any history of Labor leaders where she risks being described as a politician with early promise who ultimately proved out of her depth.
Second place is also a no-brainer. Step up Wayne Swan, who earns the title of World's Luckiest Treasurer.
Inheriting a healthy economy allowed Swan to splash money around like Keynes on steroids, degenerating into cliche with his big spending efforts. And history will forever link Swan's name with this government's most embarrassing policy failure: a mining tax that in six months raised just $126 million against a projected $2 billion annual tax take.
From the get-go, Swan was arrogant and reckless: refusing to consult industry and the states; removing Rudd for a failed mining tax that the Treasurer concocted; spending the proceeds before the money was in the bank; promising a surplus everyone knew was a chimera. It takes a special kind of politician to upstage the antics of Eddie Obeid and Craig Thomson. Swan managed it with the mining tax.
Swan defaulted to old-fashioned class war antics because he hadn't a clue what modern Labor stood for.
Choosing Bruce Springsteen lyrics over Hawke-Keating reforms, he either doesn't understand economics or is treating us like mugs when he describes new taxes as "savings".
His CV provides a hint. A former academic and political staffer, Swan represents a clueless genre of politicians - many on the Labor side who have never worked in business or chanced their own money. They don't understand risk because they have never taken risks. They have no experience with red tape and other workplace realities, let alone knowledge of how to grow a business.
Third place goes to Rudd, not just for his kooky references to K Rudd (though that deserves more attention from psychologists). Rudd looks good today because Gillard and Swan look so bad. But the former PM set the wheel in motion for the Labor train wreck.
As leader, he draped his ill-conceived policies in language so inflated it only served to highlight the failures when they inevitably came. Rude and unprofessional as prime minister, Rudd became a poster boy for the pitfalls of narcissism and Bertrand Russell's observation that "fools and fanatics are so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts". Rudd's chutzpah changing his stripes from economic conservative to a reckless spending social democrat helped cement the conviction-less politics of convenience that continues under Gillard.
Coming in at fourth spot is Bill Shorten. The Workplace Relations Minister allowed the government to look like the lackey for the union movement when the stench of union corruption grew more pungent. When union membership no longer defines the working class, Shorten represents a group of new Labor MPs who have allowed Labor to drift from being the party of the workers to being a party for the vested interests of union leaders.
Dubbed the Bright Young Thing, Shorten no doubt will take the leadership if Labor loses the election. But a true believer, and a true leader, steps in when he is most needed to try to save the day, not to save himself for an easier ride.
As Labor is the party of collectives, fifth place goes to a group of female MPs best known as the misogyny maidens. Tanya Plibersek, Nicola Roxon, Penny Wong, Jenny Macklin and, of course, the PM - who earns two places in the top five - debased the serious issue of misogyny with cheap politics. And nothing is more certain to offend Australians than the finger-wagging culture of these trendy inner-city MPs whom the French would call "gauche caviar". They understand little about the robust sense of humour, let alone common sense or values, of people in suburbs farther afield.
Others may want different candidates on the list of those to blame if Labor loses. But these top five are standouts. The damage they have done to the Labor brand will likely last much longer than their own short time in government.

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COMMENTS ON THIS STORY

  • Belinda Tanner Posted at 12:30 AM Today
    Well said Janet - you always get things so right. I really hope this labor mob will read your article. Maybe they would then realise what the rest of Australia have known so long. This mob are so out of their depth that it would be laughable, if the matter was not so serious. We need an election now...
    Comment 1 of 112
  • Gillard is doomed of Bundaberg Posted at 12:45 AM Today
    Just about sums up the labor brand as complete failures. When will the truth come out about gillards involvement in the AWU scandal with Wilson. Why is this swept under the carpet allowing her to run the country with it hanging over her head. She really is the complete failure God help us if she wins the election
    Comment 2 of 112
  • Terry Adelaide Posted at 12:45 AM Today
    The Australia Day riot organised from Julia Gillard's office should have been added to someone's score. The visuals of Cinderella without her shoe being saved from a nose dive were better than watching the Three Stooges & the investigation afterwards rivalled Fairwork Australia for ineffectiveness.
    Comment 3 of 112
  • Kate of Brisbane Posted at 12:46 AM Today
    Great piece Janet. You hit the nail on the head again and again eg "Rudd looks good today because Gillard and Swan look so bad."
    Comment 4 of 112
  • Kate of Brisbane Posted at 12:52 AM Today
    I don't care about the "damage they have done to the Labor brand" as much as I care about the damage they have done to the country and how that damage affects our future prosperity, immigration, health and education systems and employment.
    Comment 5 of 112
  • SimonT Posted at 12:53 AM Today
    Come on Janet how could you miss "Red Pants" Conroy and "Whyalla Wipeout" Emerson? They deserve at least an honourable mention.
    Comment 6 of 112
  • gabrianga of YWD Posted at 1:04 AM Today
    Hovering in the background PM Gillard's fully imported Svengali, the English born McTernan, reknowned in the UK for his part in the obliteration of the Scottish Labour Party between 2007/10. Possibly will do the same for Australian Labor given time.
    Comment 7 of 112
  • vm of wa Posted at 1:04 AM Today
    Brilliant piece, thanks...will make an interesting read for gilliard, however it may be too complex for her limited comprehension of such a well written text , plus the other members of her angry handbag hit team will miss the point...
    Comment 8 of 112
  • Nicky of Perth Posted at 1:10 AM Today
    Who would have thought that Emerson, such a wonderful example of how not to behave as a Minister of the Crown, couldn't make your top nine poor performers list. My initial reaction on reading your article was disbelief on this score, but on further thought I couldn't work out who to drop to promote him. I will take comfort in the assumption that he has run a close tenth!
    Comment 9 of 112
  • SUELLEN of ballina Posted at 1:12 AM Today
    Janet, what a wonderful well written article. Should be on the front page where all could read it. The women mentioned will go down in history as a lot of nasty, mean and basically stupid politicians. They do not understand the common man or woman.
    Comment 10 of 112
  • Gerry Sinclair of Gold Coast Posted at 1:25 AM Today
    When females particularly in Labor are making men wonder why we ever allowed them to vote and get involved in Government (Kirner, Lawrence, Kenneally, Bligh, Gillard; Helen Clarke in NZ - no Margaret Thatchers there!)it is just as well you are around Janet to remind us that yes there are some females who can think rationally.
    Comment 11 of 112
  • Wayne Sleep of Gold Coast Posted at 2:10 AM Today
    Doesn't Craig Thomson count!
    Comment 12 of 112
  • Jim Planincic of Perth Posted at 2:11 AM Today
    A very comprehensive and insightful analysis of a Government that has failed to focus on genuine strategy, but rather relied on 24 hour media stories. This government lacks the national vision of Howard and Hawke and, sadly, is only interested in personal power. This is also reflected in the Union hierarchy which Labor has re-embraced with a vigour, but whose executives have completely lost the confidence of the majority of Australian workers.
    Comment 13 of 112
  • tabitha of melbourne Posted at 2:14 AM Today
    Great article, really peels back the onion on the state of play of modern labour
    Comment 14 of 112
  • CANTWAIT of Sydney Posted at 2:16 AM Today
    Very good Janet as always.Sounds like the Oscars for Political dropkicks.
    Comment 15 of 112
  • Chris of Adelaide Posted at 3:00 AM Today
    Agree with everything I know I do go on about this, but it is unfair that it is going to cost us, the taxpayer, $10 million apiece in today's $$ to keep these folks and their loved ones (however misguided they may be) in the manner to which they will become accustomed. I hardly think it is fair, but that is the system that has crept up on us. Having said that, it is cheap at twice the price I suppose to be rid of them. Oh that some clever one had the forethought to offer it to them in 2007 to entice them to go away.
    Comment 16 of 112
  • Simonzee of Perth WA Posted at 3:05 AM Today
    Politics is no place to find yourself and what makes you tick that should have ended soon after university. The warning signs were early with Gillard in that she was writing political manifestos while at Slater & Gordon. The handbag squad with the exception of Macklin are all holding hands in their march towards political annhilation. We need people that are emotionally stable leading this country not people play acting their parts in Gillard's play that is based on her socialist manifesto and a journey to find the real Julia or Western Sydney or Labor MP that is not in their own words a gutless appendage.
    Comment 17 of 112
  • Brian Beban of Burleigh Heads Posted at 3:47 AM Today
    This definitive list fails to portray the absolute shambles which is the Labour Party. The power behind the throne is surely the great unmentioned in this article, with non elected union leaders such as Howe and his cronies pulling all the puppet strings to put the biggest losers into their positions. That this government has been allowed to trash good government and throw our money to the winds, is a result of its green and independent buttresses.They have been the only reason Labour has been able to create this astounding mess in so short a time, so they should be at the top of this list and the first to go. Without their support, the policy decisions which have increased our debt enormously, would never have happened. I especially revile the policies- or lack of them- of J. Macklin who has allowed the most devastated of our people, the remote aboriginal communities, to continue to fester in their sorrow and angst while she fiddles with a benign smile. The list does select those whose characters, formed by the narrow and selective world view of the union movement, are incapable of running a school fete let alone a nation, and are incapable of recognising their defects.
    Comment 18 of 112
  • Maggie Qld Posted at 3:56 AM Today
    Excellent Janet. I blame every silent ALP member sitting behind the nongs you have awarded for their "efforts" as being at fault. I cannot bleieve no one stood up for the people of Australaia and none seemed to have a conscience,no sense of right or wrong. Shorten is the scariest of all.
    Comment 19 of 112
  • Geoff of Tweed Posted at 3:57 AM Today
    Spot on. Never heard of the term "gauche caviar". Checked wiki. Love it.
    Comment 20 of 112
  • so many truths Posted at 4:56 AM Today
    Janet - maybe you will become the first female to be branded a misogynist by the misogyny maidens!
    Comment 21 of 112
  • Tony of Adelaide Posted at 5:01 AM Today
    I'm gaining perverse enjoyment from each of these pieces, consistently articulating so well what I believe to be true. This one is a particularly strong summary of Labor's myriad failures and the top 5 is spot on. Just this morning I read of Shorten pandering again to his union mates. Labor is unbelievably out of touch and determined to self-destruct. So be it. Not great for balanced political debate but hopefully a new, relevant party will emerge from the ashes of Labor.
    Comment 22 of 112
  • Honesty Posted at 5:17 AM Today
    Excellent insightful pithy peice, thank you. Can you please do a top ten, the blundering destruction of the ALP has been a team effort and there really is an embarrassment of riches. Peter "pink bats" Garret, Craig "whyalla wipeout" Emerson, Craig "credit card" Thomson, Anthony "Hollywood script" Albanese, Greg "BS" Combet, Stephen "red underpants" Conroy, Jenny "I can live in the dole" Macklin, Kate "crime commission" Lundy, Jason "gun crime" Clare. The list goes on and on and on.
    Comment 23 of 112
  • Willo Posted at 5:20 AM Today
    WOW! Pulling no punches there, Janet, but it does point out the multitude of failures of this government. How have they lasted this long with so many failures?
    Comment 24 of 112
  • Monty of Brisbane Posted at 5:22 AM Today
    Excellent.
    Comment 25 of 112
  • The River Was Wide But I Swam It, Janet of Sydney Posted at 5:47 AM Today
    Excellent article Janet. Who could argue with your top 5, all outstanding performers in the category "How to Trash Your Party". Sixth place for me would be a neck and neck dash for the tape between song and dance Clown Emerson and the scary Greg Combet.
    Comment 26 of 112
  • Maria of Sydney Posted at 5:49 AM Today
    Absolute and totally correct description of the creatures in Canberra. Well done Janet.
    Comment 27 of 112
  • Jack Bris of Brisbane Posted at 6:10 AM Today
    Swan did work in the sewers of Brisbane for the City Council around '74.
    Comment 28 of 112
  • rodney allsworth of morayfield Posted at 6:11 AM Today
    ahh, can someone put this to music, like, oh what a feeling, were Labor. rod qld
    Comment 29 of 112
  • AMF of St kilda Posted at 6:11 AM Today
    Ouch! But true. And sadly there's more. Garrett, Albo and Conroy get special mentions as runners up to the list of feckless. But Janet, are you saving thw worst and partisan award for Bob Carr?
    Comment 30 of 112
  • Phillip of Byron Bay Posted at 6:21 AM Today
    Oh Janet, I beg of you...please marry me
    Comment 31 of 112
  • Thane Prance Posted at 6:24 AM Today
    Yes Janet what you write is so true and I love your comment that Labor's "gauche caviar" understand little about the robust sense of humour. Thank you for an honest and spot on piece.It started my day very well. I hope that your truthful observations have the wide readership they deserve
    Comment 32 of 112
  • Craig - Melbourne Posted at 6:26 AM Today
    It is truly amazing what people do when self interest comes into the mix. Gillard who said campaigning would start when she went to the GG in August.... again a lie. Gillard really cannot help herself but then again she has had master coaches from the NSW right and the Victorian left. At least it makes great reading watching her go from one disaster to another.
    Comment 33 of 112
  • John of Sydney Posted at 6:40 AM Today
    David Bradbury who likes to show his "I luv Julia" tattoo when doing a tour of Darwin Harbour courtesy of the Navy with her must earn a place. And no doubt he will be drumming up more class warfare between North and Western Sydney at the Rooty Hill RSL like he has been for the last month between Hunters Hill and Kemp's Creek over industrial waste. Meanwhile his performance as Assistant Treasurer can only be measured by the condition of Wayne Swan's books.
    Comment 34 of 112
  • Roses of Melbourne Posted at 6:40 AM Today
    WELL written Janet. Truly fantastic and articulate piece. Just love reading your column first thing in the morning.You are SO spot on with these turkeys. We can't wait untill the election.Such an inept and "nasty" bunch they are.
    Comment 35 of 112
  • Gerry Van Hees of Narre Warren North Posted at 7:01 AM Today
    What else but a good and succinct analysis of the current position. Perhaps there are others with some blood on their hands but still....!
    Comment 36 of 112
  • annie of Hunter NSW Posted at 7:09 AM Today
    Gee Janet, that is pretty hard to disagree with. I would also like to see a special mention of our two hero's, the Independents. How two men can watch the country disintegrate before their eyes with calls from the electorate to let them have a say, as soon as possible, and simply ignore it beggars belief. We understand Windsors hatred of Abbott and the Nats/Libs, because he suffered a slight many years ago, but Windsor, are your feelings so important that 22 million people can struggle on, business in the doldrums, retail desperate, and you just sit there, happy in the knowledge that you got your own back? And Oakeshott, what is on your mind? You are still young, with a young family, what is it you cannot see, or chose not to see? Cannot you see what is happening? Our borders are open, we are in debt, the Govt. is in disarray, we are in trouble, and yet you just sit there. Why? Is it the power you don't want to relinquish, or you want the full pension, but whatever the cause, like Windsor you are prepared to let this country suffer. For me Janet, these two will go down in infamy, they are worse then the Govt.
    Comment 37 of 112
  • The Blackeye Rose Posted at 7:11 AM Today
    Janet, brilliant summary. You forgot the big prize for arrogance. I cannot believe in my fifty years of being a voter have I seen and experience such arrogance from a political party. I thought Keating was bad and Latham, well he failed in every department, was really just a bully, however, there has never in my time so much disdain for Australian "working Families". At their current pace, there will be no work, there will be no democratic processes, no conversations, just bad policy followed by bad policy and an ever-growing deficit. Arrogance, a new form of governing.
    Comment 38 of 112
  • Ken Carr of Sydney Posted at 7:11 AM Today
    A good start but why limit it to 5, why not the top 71.
    Comment 39 of 112
  • Jack Bris of Brisbane Posted at 7:11 AM Today
    Three of those mentioned are Bill Ludwig's chosen and 1, Rudd, hated by Ludwig. Not hard to quess who's pulling the strings. The Ludwig factor was evident in the recent Rockhampton Senate preselection, the peoples choice and Rudd suppporter got the flick for a Ludwig man.
    Comment 40 of 112
  • Marie McCray Posted at 7:14 AM Today
    I would almost put Wayne Swan at number one. When you look at the books he inherited from the coalition versus today culminating in a projected budget deficit of 12 billion, it is a hard act to beat. Our children will be paying for his mistakes for a long time.
    Comment 41 of 112
  • Bob the Builder Posted at 7:16 AM Today
    Congrats Janet. You have nailed them. All products of Australia's university mass production revolution, wherein quantity overtook quality.
    Comment 42 of 112
  • Helen of Sydney Posted at 7:17 AM Today
    As always, Janet, you are spot on. An excellent article. The facts are horrifying and sadly true. We just have to remove them with an election ASAP.
    Comment 43 of 112
  • Ilias Grivas of Mt Eliza Posted at 7:18 AM Today
    Labor is inner suburban village aimlessly forriaged by collections of archetypes belonging to tribes and sects within. In this Jones Town one will need to keep their hand on their wallet abandon any all hope in eternal Groundhogs Days. Janet has done an amazing job ranking the talent pool. However the task remains to continue and fill positions six onwards
    Comment 44 of 112
  • Nice Try Posted at 7:27 AM Today
    Nothing beats John Howard losing his seat in 2007 as Australia's Biggest Loser. Nothing.
    Comment 45 of 112
  • One more loss to go of Brisbane Posted at 7:28 AM Today
    Superb, Janet, just superb. There is nothing to add.
    Comment 46 of 112
  • David of Sydney Posted at 7:35 AM Today
    Excellent article. It says it all really. But Chris Bowen has to be in the list for the losing control of our boards. He was the minister and has to take responsibility, even if it was Gillard pulling the strings.
    Comment 47 of 112
  • Duke van Willem of Adelaide Posted at 7:36 AM Today
    No mention of Simon Crean? Surely he fits in there somewhere. His reference to the footy season yesterday must surely stand as a monument to how out of touch with reality our leaders are. To compare the current political situation to the first game of the season, when in reality it is more like the final innings of an all-but-lost cricket match, just shows how out of touch these people are.
    Comment 48 of 112
  • Terry Posted at 7:41 AM Today
    Absolutely beautiful. This made my morning ablutions a joy! Thank you.
    Comment 49 of 112
  • Katie C Posted at 7:45 AM Today
    You've articulated what I've thought all along. Interesting I'm in the demographic the government wants to court and an educated female to boot! I turned off the misogyny maidens a long time ago am pleased to see that many of my female friends and colleagues have as well. Cannot wait for them to go.
    Comment 50 of 112
  • jeffwatta Posted at 7:47 AM Today
    What a great piece Janet. I suppose what is most amazing about this government is the fact that none of the supposedly intelligent and dedicated Labor MP's had the guts or the gumption to break ranks and say enough is enough. They will go down in history as not Labor MP's but Labor MP's that served in the Gillard/Rudd government. There could be no worse stain on ones career in my view.
    Comment 51 of 112
  • Hoges of Palmy Posted at 7:47 AM Today
    You can also ad Labor's handling of the defence budget to their list of failures.
    Comment 52 of 112
  • al-Megrahi Posted at 7:48 AM Today
    Don't forget McTernan. He's destroyed 3 Labor Parties, which is 2 more than Tony Abbott.
    Comment 53 of 112
  • bill banter of brisbane Posted at 7:48 AM Today
    Normally Dr Craig Emerson would be have been spectacularly bad enough to be considered a malefactor star, but the competition is so fierce that he is not even mentioned. Although highly qualified in economics, the unemployment rate in his own electorateis so persistently high (and which he has done nothing to repair) that social tensions have resulted. Yet he does nothing, nothing and more nothing but sing (very badly), and praise the PM. Lionel Bowen was also nudged out even though his policies have unpicked a successful refugee policy. But the argument is that he is just a loyal poodle following leader directions. You cannot be serious, Janet, in thinking Bill Shorten is a future leader. This could take Labor to fewer seats in Federal Parliament than the Katter Party, and make Christine Milne the Opposition Leader.
    Comment 54 of 112
  • Brewster of Minyama Posted at 7:51 AM Today
    Oh Janet, what a masterful, insightful and excriciating analysis. What makes your analysis so excruciating, is the fact that these people will live large off the public purse for the rest of their lives. The only economic principle they got right, was their own superannuation schemes. In another time and past culture, the king would have chopped off their heads for destroying his wealth. Luckily for them, we only have the ballot box.
    Comment 55 of 112
  • Off The Spin Cycle of Sydney Posted at 7:56 AM Today
    Brilliant!
    Comment 56 of 112
  • Peter Posted at 8:00 AM Today
    This government will be remembered as a disfunctional group of individuals who were unable to connect with the public. It was bad enough that a prime minister elected by the pubic was removed in an overnight coup by Gillard and her union comrades, but for her to stand by and allow senior ministers like Conroy, Roxon, Crean, et al, to engage in a brutal public character assassination of Rudd was disgraceful. It's no wonder that the govt is regarded so poorly by the public.
    Comment 57 of 112
  • Kathy Marshall of Berwick Posted at 8:00 AM Today
    Thanks Janet, Once again a brilliant article. Labor need to lose this election and badly although rusted on Labor Voters would not agree, however Labor needs to get right back to basics and start with new people, not from the Unions. That they are not listening to the people is obvious. This is perhaps the first thing they need to do, learn to listen, otherwise the once great Labor Party will die. Some may not agree but for those who don't ask this question "Why did the Roman Empire fall" The answer is the Empire falls when the people in it no longer want it. That is a quote from the film "Fall of the Roman Empire" spoken by the late Finlay Currie. Septmeber is to far away. The time is now.
    Comment 58 of 112
  • BrisBen of Spring Hill Posted at 8:03 AM Today
    I'm glad you mentioned Shorten Janet; the other article in today's Aus only strengthens your inclusion of him. What a clown.
    Comment 59 of 112
  • steve of vic of vic Posted at 8:06 AM Today
    i agree with all you have written Janet Albrechtsen ...do you think labor will understand ? shorten needs to understand he's in goverment now ...not a union hack looking after his buddies ..
    Comment 60 of 112
  • Ken of SA Posted at 8:12 AM Today
    Amazing Janet, there are still people out there including in the media that still want the team you have just descripted to continue running this country. try to fathom that?
    Comment 61 of 112
  • EM of nsw Posted at 8:15 AM Today
    Janet, totally agree with the top fives choices however this government is exceptional, never have we had a government with so many individuals with an extraordinary lack of qualities. In all fairness I think you should be offering more places, Emerson, Combet, Bowen and Conroy all deserve to be commended for 'messing up so badly.'
    Comment 62 of 112
  • GerardB of Roseville NSW Posted at 8:16 AM Today
    Good article, Jane. But I would promote Bill Shorten to third place because of his puppet master role and corralling of Gillard and Swan into his blinkered union vision. The saddest part of Labor, is that there is no one in your top five with leadership skills, moral conviction and a sense of democracy. Are we watching the last hurrah for socialism?
    Comment 63 of 112
  • Anthony t Posted at 8:17 AM Today
    Well said
    Comment 64 of 112
  • Marita Posted at 8:19 AM Today
    This list of people , whom you rightly blame for the demise of Labor, should hang their heads. I have voted for Labor in my past because of men with the desire to better Australia but this lot just want to better themselves through the union. They have learned on their way up to use union methods to get ahead and who to look after and it is not the Australian citizen. As I said in the past I have voted Labor but one thing for sure, I will never vote Labor again
    Comment 65 of 112
  • Swan Song of Lilley Posted at 8:24 AM Today
    A valid and accurate assessment. Bring on "Clean up Australia Day" - September 14 or perhaps sooner? No doubt your blog will draw heavy fire from the 31 percent who cannot face the facts.
    Comment 66 of 112
  • Mikel Warren of Aspley Posted at 8:28 AM Today
    Says it all really. No comment really necessary.
    Comment 67 of 112
  • Joe Bazz of WA Posted at 8:29 AM Today
    Another outstanding piece Janet. You nailed this bunch of losers perfectly. However I put the whole lot of this Labor mob as a collective lot of losers. Not one of them have the guts to call an end to this charade of a Government and force an early election.
    Comment 68 of 112
  • Tick Tock of South Melbourne Posted at 8:31 AM Today
    Brilliant summation Janet...Im sure this article will be cut out and pasted on Tayna's dart board...
    Comment 69 of 112
  • donkeygod of Cardiff, NSW Posted at 8:32 AM Today
    That's a decent list, Janet, and one can't fault the order (or should that be 'ordure'?). Still ... I wonder where Keating has been during all this. What about Hawke? Crean and Beazley, past Party leaders ... why have they nothing to say? Everyone still admires Faulkner, so what's his take on affairs? The ALP isn't short of sages and luminaries, though few indeed are currently in office. Why are their greatest leaders so uniformly silent, while the Party they served so well faces a serious existential crisis? Have they been frozen out? Warned off? Given up? It strikes me as passing strange how, as crunch-time approaches and Labor circles the wagons, the Party's wisest, most experienced performers are nowhere to be seen. Something doesn't add up (aside from Swannie's budget). Time to be afraid, I think. Very afraid.
    Comment 70 of 112
  • Will of Qld Posted at 8:35 AM Today
    Janet Sensational, love your work. You've also now given the Lib's script writers such a good summary and history lesson that Tony will only need half of them for the next 7 months. Next mission, sort out Tony Jones and some less smart than he at Aunty.
    Comment 71 of 112
  • Jon of Adelaide Posted at 8:38 AM Today
    Thank you Janet. The worst of a really bad bunch. Clearly unfit to govern. Much money and time wasted. Regressive, outdated ideology. Despite Labor's rhetoric to the contrary, this country has not fared well under the chaotic leadership of Rudd and Gillard, which has left a pervading sense of political, economic and moral malaise. The Labor brand in its current form is indeed severely damaged, if not irretrievable. Members of the ALP are in for a period of deep introspection; a case of adapt and modernise or die. I look forward to your selection of the Coalition's top team next week.
    Comment 72 of 112
  • Ramon Posted at 8:40 AM Today
    September 14... September 14... September 14... Just keep saying it! (sigh of relief)
    Comment 73 of 112
  • Bill of Brisbane Posted at 8:40 AM Today
    Great piece but you should have made it a top ten...Add Bourke, Combet and Conroy, three of the most inept and fascist from within the gang, but delete Macklin as she is a lightweight of whom no one takes any notice.
    Comment 74 of 112
  • Bitter voter. of Reality Land. Posted at 8:42 AM Today
    The truth of the matter is stranger than all the fiction being handed out by the spin merchants for this inept government. The saviour of the ALP who stabbed her leader in the back in the middle of the night, on the pretext of fixing the problem, has turned out to be a bigger problem
    Comment 75 of 112
  • phil_surfmore of qld Posted at 8:45 AM Today
    Reminds me a line from an old blues song...'laughing just to keep from crying.' Sadly Labor are drowning in their own failures and self interest, however even you Janet, must concede that the state Qld. landslide does not make for great govt. I am also surprised the Scottish chap didn't make your list.
    Comment 76 of 112
  • Jolly Batey of Geelong Posted at 8:48 AM Today
    Janet you have aptly awarded our loser bunch of embarrassing leaders well (and you were spoilt for choice!) They have trashed the whole country. Why do we have to wait to September? I think the majority of Australians want to get rid of this fungus of a government right now!
    Comment 77 of 112
  • Brian Middleton Posted at 8:48 AM Today
    An outstanding summary of Labor's malaise. Many Labor sympathisers will refuse to read the article but they should, as it provides a roadmap out of the long years of wilderness which lie ahead
    Comment 78 of 112
  • Don of East brisbane Posted at 8:49 AM Today
    Bravo Janet. Can you please convince the Editor to give you a whole page tomorrow, you haven't really scratched the surface!
    Comment 79 of 112
  • Ken of Melbourne Posted at 9:03 AM Today
    Wow....what a clever and comprehensive indictment of this woeful administration! The bizarre thing is, they actually think they have done a GOOD job! If there are two extra prizes on offer I would like to present them to Windsor and Oakeshott for installing this bunch of misfits on the Australian public in the first place. Remember, it was so we could have STABLE government! There must be an award for the best joke!
    Comment 80 of 112
  • Greg Newcastle Posted at 9:04 AM Today
    So well written Janet and disturbingly accurate. You have characterised Labor governments heavy weights perfectly, which only emphasises the despairing felt by voters for an election sooner rather than September. Another 7 months of Labor is torture, we just want to wake up one day and the nightmare is over.
    Comment 81 of 112
  • David of Brisbane Posted at 9:07 AM Today
    Dead right about Shorten. He's clearly more interested in his future, not Australia's. No leadership there. And what about the Enablers? Those merry men from New England and Lyne. They've been the ones fluffing the PM's pillow and pulling up her blanket while she's been asleep at the wheel. Surely a bonus prize in there for them?
    Comment 82 of 112
  • Jeremy of Brisbane Posted at 9:09 AM Today
    The Truth Hurts
    Comment 83 of 112
  • Keith of Brisbane Posted at 9:15 AM Today
    So very true
    Comment 84 of 112
  • Yvonne of Hobart Posted at 9:17 AM Today
    Good article Janet. Spot on. Six long months to go and then the payback time - and, no doubt, a long and painful trip back to recovery. The more time they have to lash out huge amounts of money that they will have to borrow to realise these vote-buying hare-brained schemes, the more painful the recovery trip will be for ordinary Australians who just want an election sooner rather than later.
    Comment 85 of 112
  • Innominatus of Barossa Valley Posted at 9:17 AM Today
    Absolutely splendid. They are all worth their weight in sawdust - except that sawdust is useful.
    Comment 86 of 112
  • philj of Perth Posted at 9:23 AM Today
    You have certainly got little Willy Shorten pegged right. If the crunch comes for the unions during the next several terms of coalition government, the unions will need to look no further than Shorten to blame.
    Comment 87 of 112
  • Vaughan Posted at 9:24 AM Today
    A good summary Janet, but you forgot Doctor Graig Emerson, the minister who manages to offend people even when he talks to his portfolio. This man who exudes arrogance and who is so mainfestly out of touch with the electorate surely deserves a guernsey in your list of Labor's biggest losers!
    Comment 88 of 112
  • rosyrufe of Sydney Posted at 9:27 AM Today
    Thank you, Janet, for this brilliantly-written article. I can't wait for its sequel next week.
    Comment 89 of 112
  • corsocowboy Posted at 9:28 AM Today
    The "gauche caviar" indeed! When you think Roxon was elected by the Victorian ALP Right initially you have to wonder how deep the Left is now in the ALP body politic.As for Plibersek she still has her husband's nice little earner to fall back on not to mention her safe seat that even she could not manage to lose.
    Comment 90 of 112
  • Tasiturn of Kimberley, B.C. Canada, V1A 3A7 Posted at 9:29 AM Today
    Janet, very well expressed. Garrett, the Education Minister, with his pink batts and the national dumbing down of the schools' curriculum could be another contender - especially as he tries to do a Swanny in fudging the figures. As for the "the finger-wagging culture of (those) trendy inner-city MPs," I suspect they were just being smug, too smart by half opportunists and got called out by the electorate.
    Comment 91 of 112
  • Fed up with Labor Posted at 9:36 AM Today
    Janet, I believe you have been far too kind to them. It takes a very special kind of dim-wittedness to take a country backwards as fast as this government has done. But just to make sure we haven't missed how vacuous they really are, they are now championing the Unions !!!
    Comment 92 of 112
  • mags of Queensland Posted at 9:38 AM Today
    Well said, Janet. The whole problem for Labor is not just the failure to make and implement successful policies. The failure is that they have no real identity anymore. They are not representative of any useful, ethical alternative to conservatism. They are the product of years of personality politics, underhand deals and union dominance. Until this nexus is broken they will become a non event for decades.
    Comment 93 of 112
  • david hadley of brisbane Posted at 9:39 AM Today
    A tough task indeed. How is it possible to leave a mental midget like Stephen Conroy off the list, or a hopeless hypocrite like Garrett. A dishonest and arrogant Albanese talking to working Australians as a "convoy of no consequence", or David Bradbury who is staggering in his insincerity. Plibersek, Bowen, O'Connor? The list is endless and the electorate will punish them accordingly.
    Comment 94 of 112
  • mikem of Brisbane Posted at 9:39 AM Today
    It's difficult to disagree with your nominee's. Unfortunatly it doesn't stop there. If it were to be a top 10 one P Garret would have to be right up there for his efforts with the pink batts. Another nominee would be J Ludwig for his efforts in destroying Australia's relationship with Indonisia . Neither should we forget the performance of "red underpants" Conroy who has managed to mis-manage almost everything he's touched. It really is an impressive line up of abso;ute failures.
    Comment 95 of 112
  • Mutchu of Brisbane Posted at 9:41 AM Today
    I thought Shorten was dubbed "Showbags".
    Comment 96 of 112
  • Sunray of nswcentral coast Posted at 9:42 AM Today
    Thank you Janet, for an informative, accurate and honest article, with which I fully agree. However logical and deserving a prediction may be, we must never forget the power of enough unfunded bribes.
    Comment 97 of 112
  • Can't Come Soon Enough Posted at 9:47 AM Today
    The irreverent Aussie has a far better term for truffle munchers than the French. The trouble is that despite all their gauche caviaring the munchers still have the will to breed. So as their numbers swell, their circle widens, and their grip strengthens a change of hands may release the pressure but it won't rejuvenate the soul. That requires examination, introspection and the willingness to let both hand go of that will to be in control and allow the energy flow.
    Comment 98 of 112
  • James of Sydney Posted at 9:49 AM Today
    Many socialists are so afraid of an Abbott government that they see blocking it as one of Labor's main objectives. For this reason they endorse the "whatever it takes" approach and they only resent Gillard for the fact that she will fail to hold government. For myself, I think keeping Kevin Rudd from being Prime Minister has been Gillard's single commendable achievement, and that goes a long way. Sure it came at a very high cost of debt, bad legislation and destruction of business opportunity, but still an achievement and for me the glass is half full. Every day without His Awesomeness Chairman Rudd is a day of hope that Australia can still get back on track to a prosperous future.
    Comment 99 of 112
  • miner of Darwin Posted at 9:54 AM Today
    A good article. But Janet, couldn't you have been more generous? Surely Peter Garrett deserves a place, for his Battts-man work alone, and also for doing NOTHING much, when he was held up to promise a lot? And you rightly name Roxon, Wong, and Macklin. Maybe a top 10 losers?
    Comment 100 of 112

  • Andrew of Vic Sq Posted at 10:19 AM Today
    I think this is a kinder analysis of Labors woes than history will portray. Future text books on Government and Politics will not be so kind. Let us hope that the next Government sets a better example. And hope that the memories of voters do not fail them when it comes to electing Labor at some future time merely because the Coalition has been in power for a long time - think John Howard.
    Comment 101 of 112
  • Arch of Qld Posted at 10:21 AM Today
    " And nothing is more certain to offend Australians than the finger-wagging culture of these trendy inner-city MPs whom the French would call "gauche caviar". They understand little about the robust sense of humour, let alone common sense or values, of people in suburbs farther afield." I love it.
    Comment 102 of 112
  • James Cleland of Melbourne Posted at 10:25 AM Today
    Gold!
    Comment 103 of 112
  • Terry Adelaide Posted at 10:27 AM Today
    Great stuff Janet! All in all they are a bunch of parasites lunching on issues of the past with nothing to offer the future except to clean up their mess.
    Comment 104 of 112
  • howe synnott of sydney Posted at 10:28 AM Today
    Janet, excoriating - and right on the money. However, if Abbott assumes he can simply be the Steven Bradbury of federal politics, and sail through as the ALP crash out, it will be but a short-lived victory. It will be interesting to see what happens from here.
    Comment 105 of 112
  • MFW of Vic. Posted at 10:30 AM Today
    All I want to say is, Paul Howes, "well boo hoo", to you too. If what you say was not true Janet, it would be laughable, but it is an absolute shame of epic proportions, and an embarrassment.
    Comment 106 of 112
  • M.Camara of Camberwell Posted at 10:32 AM Today
    How about the three independents who represents conservative voters who was double-crossed big time. Then they have the union bosses whose self interest was well served. It is also hard not to point fingers on the Greenies who forced Julia Gillard to reneged on her promise of no carbon tax.
    Comment 107 of 112
  • James of Perth Posted at 10:38 AM Today
    Hi Janet, great article once again and full of wisdom. I would have placed Rudd 07 as No. 1. He also told big lies about himself during his 07 election campaign, gave the nation false hopes, and then failed miserably on all accounts. However, it is a tough call.
    Comment 108 of 112
  • Observer Posted at 10:41 AM Today
    No disagreement with the listing of Gillard, Rudd, Swan, Shorten and the handbag hit squad. You could add: Lindsay Tanner & Penny Wong for being such poor finance ministers; Greg Combet and Paul Howes for selling out manufacturing workers in their zeal for a useless carbon tax; McTernan for continual bad advice, particularly the personal attacks on Abbott; and Craig Emerson for buffoonery. Other internal destroyers of Labor are: Eddie Obeid, Craig Thomson, Bligh, Carr/Iemma/Rees/Keneally.
    Comment 109 of 112
  • JP of Bardon of Bardon Posted at 10:43 AM Today
    Janet, I dont think I have ever read an article that has made me smile so much. What a great snapshot of everything Labour. Pure Poetry, you made my day.
    Comment 110 of 112
  • raffo Posted at 10:46 AM Today
    Once again Janet a wonderful article,your analysis is as Howes would say 110% Correct! I cannot understand how so many supposedly intelligent people can get it so wrong.But where did they get their ethics&principles? it goes against everything i was ever taught or passed on to my children. God help us if this rabble are reelected.
    Comment 111 of 112
  • Allan Usherwood of Bunbury WA Posted at 10:53 AM Today
    What a fine description of these Labor "never will be's" Janet has put her finger on this sorry bunch of amateurs that have blackened the political horizen more than "Rusty" could ever hope to.This predicament this mob has left us in is unprecidented in Australian history,it will take a strong government to bail us out of mire we are in and I do not envy thd kincoming covernments formidable task. Allan Myalup WA.
    Comment 112 of 112

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