Abbott is often criticised for not having any policies during the Gillard/Rudd years, but he did. They may have been simplistic (ie slogans), but they found resonance with the electorate and his government acted upon them immediately after taking office. "Stop the Boats" was a slogan, sure, but it was backed up by a policy that worked, despite frequent criticism then and now.
Where is ANY policy from Shorten? He's had a pretty easy run so far because of Government incompetence, but the next election is now closer than the last and time is running out for him to start coming up with some real direction. At present, just hanging back and letting Abbott and Co shoot themselves in the foot may be fun but the electorate will start to ask question before long. Political commentators are doing it now and the heat will shortly be felt in the Labor Party.
The slogans were nice soundbites for mainstream media and a public whose attention span has been squandered due to mobile technology lol
. If people get news from a single, particular source, they will naturally buy into whatever line they bare pushing. News Ltd have a viewpoint, as does fairfax. Thing is News Ltd has far higher circulation figures for possibly a variety of reasons, so more will buy into whatever News Ltd is pushing. Lesson is - if you want to win an election, win over news ltd first lol.
I have mixed feelings about 'stopping the boats'. Sure, I'm not overly keen on laying out the welcome mat with the potential of being inundated with millions of refugees we cannot cater for. However what is happening in the detention centres is disgusting. The have been let out private contracts at an exorbitant amount. If it were done publically it'd be cheaper. Like the prisons. I think a middle ground could be to have the off shore detention centres, leave open the possibility for protection visas for boat arrivals, BUT people going through official channels get priority.
I think the best thing for the ALP to do is switch leaders to someone more popular. Following are FB likes for various ALP pollies.....
Bill Shorten - 85k
Tanya Pliberseck - 104k
Penny Wong - 64k
I think Pliberseck has the necessary spark to be a great party leader. Pity though that she isn't too keen in doing it.
I know FB likes aren't an exact science but its interesting to see who the digital generations are interested in following.
"My whole problem with the Labor movement is their unrealistic belief that they can be all things to (most) people without dire financial and by extension quality of life consequences for everybody down the track." - Reaper
Yes, that is a concern I have too. Issue is far worse over at the Greens. They have no concept of Money. One of the reasons why I resigned from the party.
What the ALP could do for new policy (as discussed earlier) - focus on initiatives that don't cost a lot and have maximum impact. Maximum benefit-cost ratio.
As for remote Aboriginal Communities - mixed feelings. Yes they do take up a huge amount of money. However, living in a regional country area, we have seen the repurcussions of moving disparate tribes/clans in together in suburban areas. Safe to say - they keep themselves apart for a reason. They hate each other. Move them in together, all hell breaks loose. Riots. Fighting. Crime. I teach at a High School that is 20% Indigenous and from time to time it raises its head in the school yard. So from this perspective I take the pragmatic view that it isn't the most economic thing to do but it is safer and socially more amenable. Remote communities are happy, and the townspeople are happy. Win-win. Rather than creating an additional issue that then needs to be solved, I rather not create the issue in the first place.
