Politics Super Thread - keep it all in here

[Blackpearl]

Gillard is equivalent to a dead man walking. Will not be PM in a few weeks. Nothing but a fake and lair and has no credibility. If Gillard said it was raining outside I’d have to open the window and check. That is how much Gillard is now distrusted by the electorate.

Absolutely outrageous behaviour stating category that there will not be a carbon tax before the election and then trying to implement one after. Has nothing to do with climate change and is just a straight out tax to be used as a socialist method of wealth redistribution and people are starting to wake up to it.

Howard stated "category" (think you mean categorically) he would not bring in a GST… yet here we are with one despite a minority of the populations support in it. I wonder whether you felt just as outraged... You want to talk about Johnny boys lies?

The media is crucifying The Labor party and IDIOT Australia is too dumb to realise.

I don't like Gillard, but the Carbon Tax is good. The media is consistently putting the fear of the 'left' in people claiming the Greens are running the show and the Carbon Tax belongs to the lefties... It's complete, utter BS. The fear Abbott and the Media are spreading is completely unfounded and irresponsible.

And for the record, me and my partner are SEVERELY worse off due to the Carbon Tax because of our incomes.

It's ok if people change their minds, like Johhny did. They just need to make sure that they don't worm around democracy, like gillard has.

This is why people are angry..

**Things Labor has done right :** Put in a Resources Tax

**Things Labor has done wrong or overspent on :** BER, Cash Handouts x 2, ETS, NBN (FTTP too costly), Means testing on Environment measures, Ceiling Batts, Changing government mid term, Pokies 'Reform', changed a working policy in the pacific solution, $11bil Telstra payout, made it harder for international students to go to uni here (one of our main exports), live cattle trade knee jerk reaction, Spent $10bil to buy independents votes, gave unions back power - more strike actions, Set top boxes, Policies Increased Inflation, therefore Interest Rates, Increased the public service by 20%…. it really does go on.

It's not 'IDIOT' Australia mate. People are just starting to add it all up.

yep , hate cash handouts like 7k per kid ( oops lil johnnny brought that in ), pokies reform ( why should we care about the 96000 aussies who gamble in excess of 45k per year .. fact ! ), the pacific solution that resulted in 85% of legitimate refugees that were in naru now residents of oz, did you see the absolute abhorrence of the slaughter of the beef cattle .. anyone with any humanity would have been rightly and justifiably outraged ( even though the livestock assoc knew of the inhumane treatment as far back as march and did and said nothing ! ), didnt mr rabbit offer the ind from tassie $1 bill for a new hospital when negotiating with the independants .. forgot about that one, hate the fact that workchoices is gone .. i would much rather get paid $10 an hour with no rights at work and get fined to undertake industrial action, increase of public service .. thats probably another ' gloria ' inspired headline !, an economy that is the envy of just about every developed western country in the world, interest rates .. ah yes i remember the 9 rate increases in a row under lil jonny !, and the 180 mill lil jonny spent on advertising for workchoices.

just like midnight oil said….. SHORT MEMORY !!!

 

[alien]

Gillards days are well and truly numbered.

**Everytime i have heard her speak over the past month she has spoken nothing but contradictive, condscending rubbish.**

Doesn't she always???

 

[hammertime]

yep , hate cash handouts like 7k per kid ( oops lil johnnny brought that in ), pokies reform ( why should we care about the 96000 aussies who gamble in excess of 45k per year .. fact ! ), the pacific solution that resulted in 85% of legitimate refugees that were in naru now residents of oz, did you see the absolute abhorrence of the slaughter of the beef cattle .. anyone with any humanity would have been rightly and justifiably outraged ( even though the livestock assoc knew of the inhumane treatment as far back as march and did and said nothing ! ), didnt mr rabbit offer the ind from tassie $1 bill for a new hospital when negotiating with the independants .. forgot about that one, hate the fact that workchoices is gone .. i would much rather get paid $10 an hour with no rights at work and get fined to undertake industrial action, increase of public service .. thats probably another ' gloria ' inspired headline !, an economy that is the envy of just about every developed western country in the world, interest rates .. ah yes i remember the 9 rate increases in a row under lil jonny !, and the 180 mill lil jonny spent on advertising for work choices.
just like midnight oil said….. SHORT MEMORY !!!

I think you think I'm just on party lines? Comparing bad policy of Johnny to bad policy of gillard doesn't really make a point. It's not like the tigers where you pick a side and stick with it. A bad govt is a bad govt. Labor is currently a bad govt.

Yes, i agree, baby bonus totally excessive. cash splashes are retarded. People do not pay their taxes for Santa pm to throw it at people. I care about the people effected by gambling, but there is a tone of help already that they choose not to take. live exports terrible! But why hurt the people doing the right thing? Or, to give a comparison, should we all get locked up for a robbery Joe bloggs commits? Yes, both negotiations were bad, the independents should have been given squat. Blight on democracy. Workhoices was important to our future, we are too lazy. no 20% increase is right. our economy isn't the envy because of labour, but our strong minerals base and the debt reduction under the libs, yes, again, not happy with the interest increases under Johnny either. Both parties are wrong. You don't spend more when you have low unemployment.

 

[Yossarian]

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Howard stated "category" (think you mean categorically) he would not bring in a GST… yet here we are with one despite a minority of the populations support in it. I wonder whether you felt just as outraged... You want to talk about Johnny boys lies?

Dumb comment Kaiser…Howard won an election with the public knowing full well what his intentions were. Absolutely NOT the same thing and you know it. This is the sort of rubbish that IDIOT Australia as you say, who support the current government, always say.

I didnt like how much Howard spent advertising the GST but that is not the issue here. Gillard, Labor and their supporters are liars and the nation is spewing about it.

Howard won more seats but lost the 2P vote. I'm not saying it's a massive deal but if you're running around talking about voter mandates (as Howard often did) it is important. If you go to an election with one major policy and over 50% of people vote against you, you'd think you don't have a mandate. Personally I don't buy the mandate thing - we have a responsible government - you vote for the government for a term and let them get on with it. I also think its personally good policy.

Abbott has a problem too though - either he just opposes doing something about carbon emissions like the flat Earthers in the Nationals want him to do, or he needs to come up with a decent alternative. His policy is meaningless - no details and full of massive holes and unexplained calculations. The fact the man continues to get away with spruking policies with out having proper costings says a lot about our journalists, esp those working for News Limited. Wayne Swan has every reason to call out the Terror on their coverage - they continue to run baseless scare campaigns using rubbery figures and poor logic while the they never throw any scrutiny on Abbott's alternative.

 

[hammertime]

Howard won more seats but lost the 2P vote. I'm not saying it's a massive deal but if you're running around talking about voter mandates (as Howard often did) it is important. If you go to an election with one major policy and over 50% of people vote against you, you'd think you don't have a mandate. Personally I don't buy the mandate thing - we have a responsible government - you vote for the government for a term and let them get on with it. I also think its personally good policy.

I agree with that to some extent Yoss, I don't think a 'mandate' is needed for most things, but major and non-urgent policy like this, you need to at least be truthful. Swan labeled it as Liberal hysteria when the question was asked, Gillard categorically denied it. I really think the difference is that howard won power on the back of honest policy, Gillard didn't. Mandate is just a word being thrown around and 2P doesn't come into it.

I also want an ETS in… it's good policy. I do think they need to take out, or minimize, the wealth distribution component. That's classic Labor. They have done it in every policy and this is the last straw for a few of my mates who do pay considerable tax. They are now looking to now move to the HK with 15% tax. People are happy to pay, but over compensation after all the other handouts is just getting sickening.

Abbott has a problem too though - either he just opposes doing something about carbon emissions like the flat Earthers in the Nationals want him to do, or he needs to come up with a decent alternative. His policy is meaningless - no details and full of massive holes and unexplained calculations. The fact the man continues to get away with spruking policies with out having proper costings says a lot about our journalists, esp those working for News Limited. Wayne Swan has every reason to call out the Terror on their coverage - they continue to run baseless scare campaigns using rubbery figures and poor logic while the they never throw any scrutiny on Abbott's alternative.

I agree mate. There has been some scrutiny on Abbot's policy but it seems to get hidden in the media. I hope to god it doesn't come to fruition, it's a absolute waste of money.

Turnbull is the only bloke on both sides who you know will do the right thing, despite party lines. I hope to god he gets the reins soon.

I would hate for Abbott to be our international representative. At least Gillard has some poise and would represent the country with dignity.

 

[happy_tiger]

I don't know about Gillard having poise .Every time I hear her talk I'm waiting for her to turn around to Gina Riley and "Look at moie Kimmmmy ,look at moie"

 

[Yossarian]

Howard won more seats but lost the 2P vote. I'm not saying it's a massive deal but if you're running around talking about voter mandates (as Howard often did) it is important. If you go to an election with one major policy and over 50% of people vote against you, you'd think you don't have a mandate. Personally I don't buy the mandate thing - we have a responsible government - you vote for the government for a term and let them get on with it. I also think its personally good policy.

I agree with that to some extent Yoss, I don't think a 'mandate' is needed for most things, but major and non-urgent policy like this, you need to at least be truthful. Swan labeled it as Liberal hysteria when the question was asked, Gillard categorically denied it. I really think the difference is that howard won power on the back of honest policy, Gillard didn't. Mandate is just a word being thrown around and 2P doesn't come into it.

I also want an ETS in… it's good policy. I do think they need to take out, or minimize, the wealth distribution component. That's classic Labor. They have done it in every policy and this is the last straw for a few of my mates who do pay considerable tax. They are now looking to now move to the HK with 15% tax. People are happy to pay, but over compensation after all the other handouts is just getting sickening.

Abbott has a problem too though - either he just opposes doing something about carbon emissions like the flat Earthers in the Nationals want him to do, or he needs to come up with a decent alternative. His policy is meaningless - no details and full of massive holes and unexplained calculations. The fact the man continues to get away with spruking policies with out having proper costings says a lot about our journalists, esp those working for News Limited. Wayne Swan has every reason to call out the Terror on their coverage - they continue to run baseless scare campaigns using rubbery figures and poor logic while the they never throw any scrutiny on Abbott's alternative.

I agree mate. There has been some scrutiny on Abbot's policy but it seems to get hidden in the media. I hope to god it doesn't come to fruition, it's a absolute waste of money.

Turnbull is the only bloke on both sides who you know will do the right thing, despite party lines. I hope to god he gets the reins soon.

I would hate for Abbott to be our international representative. At least Gillard has some poise and would represent the country with dignity.

She's a terrible salesperson though. If Howard was running this policy (or Keating) it would be fairly well accepted by now. Keating would also have made a bigger deal about the lack of alternatives and the bigger cost of doing nothing. I'd hate to see Abbott slide in because people dislike Gillard or the government. He has done absolutely nothing to deserve to win. You're right about Turnbull but I think he's as likely to become leader again as Rudd is. Turnbull I feel is a bit like Beazley - politicians who are in the game because they genuinely feel they can be of service to the nation. At least when Beazley was opp leader, you knew there was a good alternative if there was a change in government.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Howard won more seats but lost the 2P vote. I'm not saying it's a massive deal but if you're running around talking about voter mandates (as Howard often did) it is important. If you go to an election with one major policy and over 50% of people vote against you, you'd think you don't have a mandate. Personally I don't buy the mandate thing - we have a responsible government - you vote for the government for a term and let them get on with it. I also think its personally good policy.

I agree with that to some extent Yoss, I don't think a 'mandate' is needed for most things, but major and non-urgent policy like this, you need to at least be truthful. Swan labeled it as Liberal hysteria when the question was asked, Gillard categorically denied it. I really think the difference is that howard won power on the back of honest policy, Gillard didn't. Mandate is just a word being thrown around and 2P doesn't come into it.

I also want an ETS in… it's good policy. **I do think they need to take out, or minimize, the wealth distribution component.** That's classic Labor. They have done it in every policy and this is the last straw for a few of my mates who do pay considerable tax. They are now looking to now move to the HK with 15% tax. People are happy to pay, but over compensation after all the other handouts is just getting sickening.

Abbott has a problem too though - either he just opposes doing something about carbon emissions like the flat Earthers in the Nationals want him to do, or he needs to come up with a decent alternative. His policy is meaningless - no details and full of massive holes and unexplained calculations. The fact the man continues to get away with spruking policies with out having proper costings says a lot about our journalists, esp those working for News Limited. Wayne Swan has every reason to call out the Terror on their coverage - they continue to run baseless scare campaigns using rubbery figures and poor logic while the they never throw any scrutiny on Abbott's alternative.

I agree mate. There has been some scrutiny on Abbot's policy but it seems to get hidden in the media. I hope to god it doesn't come to fruition, it's a absolute waste of money.

Turnbull is the only bloke on both sides who you know will do the right thing, despite party lines. I hope to god he gets the reins soon.

I would hate for Abbott to be our international representative. At least Gillard has some poise and would represent the country with dignity.

I don't want an ETS/CPRS/Carbon Tax as it has been currently presented, but would be swayed if presented with a well thought out scheme. I feel that the government can increase volume in renewable energy sectors by changing planning laws in residential and commercial sectors.

I am infuriated that in the current scheme as a high income earner I (and my partner,) am expected to once again subsidise the bill for those who don't earn as much as us but may well "pollute" twice/three times as more. Call me selfish, but I pay a large chunk of income tax, will be hit with the flood levy (which I am supportive of,) and now I will be forced to offset low income earners huge power bills for their Rudd-bought plasma televisions and clothes dryers when I don't even own one of either myself! I use my vehicle sparingly and purposefully moved into a property within walking distance of a train station and two major shopping complexes in Penriff. This only compounds my anger at the fact that the government in my personal opinion has already misspent the tax I already pay.

As far as I'm concerned, if they are going to bring in a carbon tax, people should be held directly accountable for their emissions, not be what I feel is a reward just because they don't earn as much as someone else who may incidentally "pollute" less than the low income earner.

The only issue is that the Coalition doesn't have a clear strategy either, and are intentionally not revealing their plans in full either because their scheme is equally as flawed or virtually non-existent. I agree with you Hammer, for the Libs to have any credibility as a genuine alternative, Turnbull needs to make another play for the leadership.

Both sides of the fence are equally as shady or inept. This country is sorely lacking a centrist party as a genuine third party alternative.

 

[hammertime]

I don't want an ETS/CPRS/Carbon Tax as it has been currently presented, but would be swayed if presented with a well thought out scheme. I feel that the government can increase volume in renewable energy sectors by changing planning laws in residential and commercial sectors.

I am infuriated that in the current scheme as a high income earner I (and my partner,) am expected to once again subsidise the bill for those who don't earn as much as us but may well "pollute" twice/three times as more. Call me selfish, but I pay a large chunk of income tax, will be hit with the flood levy (which I am supportive of,) and now I will be forced to offset low income earners huge power bills for their Rudd-bought plasma televisions and clothes dryers when I don't even own one of either myself! I use my vehicle sparingly and purposefully moved into a property within walking distance of a train station and two major shopping complexes in Penriff. This only compounds my anger at the fact that the government in my personal opinion has already misspent the tax I already pay.

As far as I'm concerned, if they are going to bring in a carbon tax, people should be held directly accountable for their emissions, not be what I feel is a reward just because they don't earn as much as someone else who may incidentally "pollute" less than the low income earner.

The only issue is that the Coalition doesn't have a clear strategy either, and are intentionally not revealing their plans in full either because their scheme is equally as flawed or virtually non-existent. I agree with you Hammer, for the Libs to have any credibility as a genuine alternative, Turnbull needs to make another play for the leadership.

Both sides of the fence are equally as shady or inept. This country is sorely lacking a centrist party as a genuine third party alternative.

x2\. Extremely well said CB.

 

[alien]

I don't know about Gillard having poise .Every time I hear her talk I'm waiting for her to turn around to Gina Riley and "Look at moie Kimmmmy ,look at moie"

:roll

 

[Old_Bluebag]

Don't you just love the discomforture of the vile Murdoch Press? Remember the Super League fiasco which almost destroyed our beloved game? Wouldn't it be nice to see the Sydney Telegraph go the same way as the News of the World? It has about the same quality journalists and maybe the same ethical principles.

 

[cunno]

I don't want an ETS/CPRS/Carbon Tax as it has been currently presented, but would be swayed if presented with a well thought out scheme. I feel that the government can increase volume in renewable energy sectors by changing planning laws in residential and commercial sectors.
I am infuriated that in the current scheme as a high income earner I (and my partner,) am expected to once again subsidise the bill for those who don't earn as much as us but may well "pollute" twice/three times as more. Call me selfish, but I pay a large chunk of income tax, will be hit with the flood levy (which I am supportive of,) and now I will be forced to offset low income earners huge power bills for their Rudd-bought plasma televisions and clothes dryers when I don't even own one of either myself! I use my vehicle sparingly and purposefully moved into a property within walking distance of a train station and two major shopping complexes in Penriff. This only compounds my anger at the fact that the government in my personal opinion has already misspent the tax I already pay.
As far as I'm concerned, if they are going to bring in a carbon tax, people should be held directly accountable for their emissions, not be what I feel is a reward just because they don't earn as much as someone else who may incidentally "pollute" less than the low income earner.
The only issue is that the Coalition doesn't have a clear strategy either, and are intentionally not revealing their plans in full either because their scheme is equally as flawed or virtually non-existent. I agree with you Hammer, for the Libs to have any credibility as a genuine alternative, Turnbull needs to make another play for the leadership.
Both sides of the fence are equally as shady or inept. This country is sorely lacking a centrist party as a genuine third party alternative.

x2\. Extremely well said CB.

Couldn't agree more CB both major parties offer little we need a third option that has the country's interests at heart rather than personal interest, power and stuff everybody in the process.

 

[hammertime]

This is concerning.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/internode-buckets-nbn-pricing/story-e6frgakx-1226099220064

"This financial construct is a ‘collar’ that constrains the size of each aggregated access connection into the NBN based on the monthly sum of money a (retail service provider) pays for that access.
>
"It is not a charge based on real costs; Rather, the quantum of this charge has simply been chosen to fill in an otherwise huge hole in the federal government policy requirement that the network return funds to the Commonwealth at a commercial rate and in a short timeframe," Mr Hackett wrote.

They really need some independent financial analysis into the NBN. Especially when the Billions in costs can be halved by simply creating FTTN rather than FTTP and letting the public decide if they want it.

It's unfortunately more of Labor trying to avoid public scrutiny on bad policy.

 

[Blackpearl]

this is really concerning !!!

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/trust-makes-the-world-go-around-honestly-20110719-1hn4y.html

" Its always a lot harder to explain a complex policy than it is to put the frighteners on the punters but tony abbott's gross misrepresentation of the carbon tax's effect on prices, empolyment and whole industries EXCEEDS ALL RECORDS IN EFFECTIVENESS AND DISHONESTY. I would never have believed one politician could, by all his reckless claims, stop retail sales in their tracks as frightened punters close their purses in fear fpr their futures. Why the retailers are'nt tearing him apart i don't know.

Do his fellow Liberals and their supporters imagine there will be bo backlash when voters eventually realise just how much they were wound up ?

But is the media working to help their perplexed customers discern the truth of all their claims and counterclaims ? Too many of them are playing the controversy fro all iits worth, trumpeting the claims of interest groups that are undocumented and untested. Some are motivated by partisanship, almost all by commercial advantage.
Do they, too, imagine this abuse of the publics trust will go unpunished ! Whats happening in britain says otherwise. "

excerpt from article by Ross Gittins, economics editor of the Sydney Morning Herald.

ps; telecrap and the australian ( news ltd, murdoch papers ) have zero credibility when it comes to fair and balanced journalism either. Would love to see mr rabbit get the balls to go Q & A on ABC but who am i kidding, abbott avoids detailed scrutiny like the plague !!

 

[dermo]

Would love to see mr rabbit get the balls to go Q & A on ABC but who am i kidding, abbott avoids detailed scrutiny like the plague !!

Abbott goes on Q & A much more than most politicians

 

[hammertime]

this is really concerning !!!

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/trust-makes-the-world-go-around-honestly-20110719-1hn4y.html

" Its always a lot harder to explain a complex policy than it is to put the frighteners on the punters but tony abbott's gross misrepresentation of the carbon tax's effect on prices, empolyment and whole industries EXCEEDS ALL RECORDS IN EFFECTIVENESS AND DISHONESTY. I would never have believed one politician could, by all his reckless claims, stop retail sales in their tracks as frightened punters close their purses in fear fpr their futures. Why the retailers are'nt tearing him apart i don't know.

Do his fellow Liberals and their supporters imagine there will be bo backlash when voters eventually realise just how much they were wound up ?

But is the media working to help their perplexed customers discern the truth of all their claims and counterclaims ? Too many of them are playing the controversy fro all iits worth, trumpeting the claims of interest groups that are undocumented and untested. Some are motivated by partisanship, almost all by commercial advantage.
Do they, too, imagine this abuse of the publics trust will go unpunished ! Whats happening in britain says otherwise. "

excerpt from article by Ross Gittins, economics editor of the Sydney Morning Herald.

ps; telecrap and the australian ( news ltd, murdoch papers ) have zero credibility when it comes to fair and balanced journalism either. Would love to see mr rabbit get the balls to go Q & A on ABC but who am i kidding, abbott avoids detailed scrutiny like the plague !!

The ETS will get through based on parliament votes, not on us. They are smarter than the majority and will do the right thing no matter what Abbott says.

Yep, Abbott is a dope. I hope to god that he never gets into power. He is spinning the ETS completely with scare tactics and misinformation. The economics of it are sound as Gittins points out.

It's not concerning though unless he gets into power, which can't happen for a few years after this takes effect.

I'm more worried about what damage is being done now with bad policy like the NBN, not what may or may not happen. The Government can also easily refute Abbott with facts and figures if they choose to and people decide to listen.

The ETS isn't complex when getting down to brass tact's. I think that Labor need to stop using catch phases, like working families, explain things properly and find someone easier to listen to than Gillard.

So, Ross's article is basically just frustration. But it will have no real world impact. Voters will have the time to judge the ETS's impact before the next election rolls around.

 

[hammertime]

Wow. This guy has the economics aptitude of somehow who doesn't have any financial credentials….

...oh wait... he doesn't.

http://www.news.com.au/national/wayne-swan-wants-backing-on-congestion-tax-and-an-end-to-property-stamp-duty/story-e6frfkvr-1226103367483
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A mention of a tax on transport..
- after a spike in inflation
- after a carbon tax
- interest rates are high
- Property un-affordability is at an all time high.
- after the economic data showing retailer are already struggling
- After a GFC
- Whilst America can't pass a bill to pay their bills.

Is he trying to drive the economy into the ground or what? What an absolute Gumby!

Can only hope we somehow get a dream team of Costello/Turnbull in power soon to fix all this mess.

 

[Yossarian]

Wow. This guy has the economics aptitude of somehow who doesn't have any financial credentials….

...oh wait... he doesn't.

http://www.news.com.au/national/wayne-swan-wants-backing-on-congestion-tax-and-an-end-to-property-stamp-duty/story-e6frfkvr-1226103367483
\
\
A mention of a tax on transport..
- after a spike in inflation
- after a carbon tax
- interest rates are high
- Property un-affordability is at an all time high.
- after the economic data showing retailer are already struggling
- After a GFC
- Whilst America can't pass a bill to pay their bills.

Is he trying to drive the economy into the ground or what? What an absolute Gumby!

Can only hope we somehow get a dream team of Costello/Turnbull in power soon to fix all this mess.

Costello? Turnbull? But surely these men are lawyers and do not have "any financial credentials"????

 

[hammertime]

Costello? Turnbull? But surely these men are lawyers and do not have "any financial credentials"????

Yes Yoss, you are right again. I understand that you are trying to point out their lack of financial academic qualifications also. I was wrong to use that as my point.

But let me rephrase, Turnbull ran Goldman Sachs, started Ozemail and Costello has proven himself to be fiscally responsible in office and generally a smart bloke. They have also both been out in the real world and dealt with business through working in legal practices early in their careers.

Swan studied public administration, lectured about it and has been in politics the rest of his life….

So, if you can, forget about who is in which party. Who would you prefer to run the nations finances?

 

[Yossarian]

Costello? Turnbull? But surely these men are lawyers and do not have "any financial credentials"????

Yes Yoss, you are right again. I understand that you are trying to point out their lack of financial academic qualifications also. I was wrong to use that as my point.

But let me rephrase, Turnbull ran Goldman Sachs, started Ozemail and Costello has proven himself to be fiscally responsible in office and generally a smart bloke. They have also both been out in the real world and dealt with business through working in legal practices early in their careers.

Swan studied public administration, lectured about it and has been in politics the rest of his life….

So, if you can, forget about who is in which party. Who would you prefer to run the nations finances?

I'd rank Turnbull highly assuming he could balance is obvious business skills with a decent social agenda.
Costello was vastly over-rated as treasurer. He had a river of gold and wasted it on meaningless tax cuts when he should have spent it on infrastructure.
Swan is under-rated. I know you dislike the guy but his performance in the GFC was world class. And it's easy to look down your nose (I mean in general not necessarily you) at a public admin degree (it's an honours degree FWIW), but a grounding in public administration is (IMO) better qualifications than a law degree.

At the end of the day, despite our back-and-forth, we're fortunate in this country that the level of financial management is, compared to the rest of the world, pretty damn good. From Keating through to Swan (I include Costello and Howard as PM in that) there have been some very good work done. In general I think both sides share a similar macro outlook, they just differ on how things are done and what is prioritised. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of spending on infrastructure and both parties are not blameless although I think the ALP does better.