Transcript: Crean's spill announcement 21 March

I think you've seen the frustration I've been expressing in recent times. It seems to me the party, through the government, is in a stalemate position. Something needs to be done to break this deadlock, to resolve the issue once and for all, and to enable us to get on with the job that we're actually elected to do, and that is to campaign on behalf of Australian people through Labor values.


I have talked to the Prime Minister yesterday and today, and as a result of that conversation I informed her that I would think about my position and get back to her before I made this announcement, that I am asking her to call a spill of all leadership positions in the party. I will not be standing for the leader. I will be putting myself forward in the leadership team for the deputy leader.

If the Prime Minister does not agree to it, which I expect she won't, then I urge members of caucus to petition in an appropriate way for the calling of such a meeting. This is an issue that has to be resolved. There is too much at stake. This is a very regretful decision for me.


I think everyone knows the relationship between the Prime Minister and myself goes back some time. This is not personal. This is about the party, its future, and the future of the country. I actually believe we can win the next election. I believe that the agenda that is there but not understood well enough as reflected in many of the comments that come back, we need to settle this, move forward.

As for the position of the positions being declared open, Kevin Rudd, in my view, has no alternative but to stand for the leadership. He can't continue to play the game that says he is reluctant or he has to be drafted. I know the party will not draft him.


I know the party is looking for change and clear air, and they don't see that simply by changing the leader. That's why I'm putting myself forward as part of the leadership group, to demonstrate that we are serious about not just changing leaders, but of actually showing leadership. That's what we're elected to do, that's what I want to be part of, and I think in all my life, public life, I've demonstrated that is the driving force.

For me, the position itself again is that a personal one that I'm taking. I'm doing this in the interests of the Labor Party and, in turn, the nation. I believe that the great things that I was part of in the Hawke-Keating government, that decisions, bold decisions, decisions that went through due process, difficult decisions, the decisions built around consensus, the decisions built around bringing people together, the decisions around growing the economy, as we have demonstrated in government we can do, growing it for a purpose, for fairness, for distribution, for the values that I, like so many others, joined the Labor Party for.


We can't win from the position we are in, in the polls. I don't believe our future and our chances in the polls is just going to be determined by a simple change of leader. People have got to believe we have conviction, that we believe in what we stand for, there is a coherence of message and we are determined to pursue it. What we have to do is to take people with us. That means being prepared to argue the case, and I know this: I know the people do not want an Abbott-led government.


I get so many people in frustration to me saying, "We are not going to allow that man to lead this country, are we?" Now, I agree with that from an obvious point of view, but the truth is there is a mood out there that does not want him; but is fed up with us at the moment. We've got to change it. I hope this circuit-breaker does it and I look forward to the caucus taking a mature decision in the interests of their future and this country's future.


Via: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/simon-creans-opening-statement-to-the-media-20130321-2ghlv.html#ixzz2OEuVHNIC

Micromanaging in the chaos

On Denton's 'Elders' last night, Bob Hawke reminded me of a recent post of mine when he said: "There are no great political leaders around." He also noted the depressingly obvious world situation of overpopulation/poverty/women's education, food shortages and climate change... and how our moral compass seems to be somewhat screwed as news of Paris Hilton becomes a priority over such issues.


But what I wanted to blog about was when he went into his 'political-voice' to make a point. Denton asked him about how one deals with being PM.

Well by making sure it’s not the work of one man. Look at the duration with Carter, President Carter. Insisted on supervising who was going to be using the White House tennis court. Come on. I mean it’s a question of prioritisation and delegation and if you haven’t got that capacity for prioritisation and delegation then you’ll be on the road to the bin.

Am I alone in thinking he may be giving a hint to Rudd? Everyone knows he's a micromanager. As John Lyons reported in The Australian in late June, Rudd's office is "chronically under-experienced... in a state of disarray, largely reflecting a leader who on the surface appears to always be in control, but is, in fact, becoming so locked into micromanaging that around him chaos is breaking out." He also noted that unlike Hawke, who was "surrounded by an A-team of political operators, all of whom could - and did- say no to Hawke on occasions", Rudd's advisers are yes men and two of the three are highly inexperienced (and increasingly rude, especially Harris and especially to female reporters - but he even has abused a leading Labor frontbencher). One article concluded:

The lack of experience around Rudd is becoming an issue.

Jordan's only experience before joining Rudd six years ago was to work for "a Queensland MP"; his official CV doesn't even identify that MP. Yesterday, Harris did not know who the MP was.

Harris's CV says that as well as working in Labor headquarters in the 2004 election campaign and briefly for Robert McClelland and Swan, he has worked "for other community-based campaigns".

One senior government staffer said: "You've got no idea of the level of paranoia in Rudd's office at the moment. Kevin doesn't know half of what's going on."

So besieged has the office become that it took several attempts to even receive confirmation that Jordan and Harris are 28. Their ages do not appear on their CVs.

Rudd's third adviser is...

his chief of staff, David Epstein. [But...] It's the ticking time bomb of the PM's office. Epstein is married to Sandra Eccles, who was promoted three months after the Rudd Government's election to run the Canberra office of lobbying firm Government Relations Australia.

Epstein admitted to The Australian this week that he was forced to call in a witness to a conversation with car giant Mitsubishi because of a possible conflict of interest with his wife's firm.

It adds yet another problem to an already troubled office. The Prime Minister has an angry public service, an increasingly alienated media, and a chief of staff who more than likely will have to call in more witnesses as his wife's clients chase what they're paying big money for: to influence the people in the Government who make the decisions.

But really, Lachlan Harris wins:

Another female journalist recalls talking to Harris on his landline when his mobile rang. He told whoever was calling: "I'm on the other line, let me just piss this other call off." The woman about to be pissed off listened with dismay. "He would have known I could hear," she says.

The Sun-Herald's Kerry-Anne Walsh also experienced the Harris blowtorch. Walsh tracked down several members of a family who disputed Rudd's story that Rudd and his mother had been evicted from a property and were forced to sleep in a car on the side of a road. The family named by Rudd was outraged. One of the daughters of the farmer alleged to have evicted the Rudds said of Kevin Rudd: "He's dragged our father's proud reputation through the mud time and time again."

Because the versions were so different, Walsh sent some questions to Rudd via Harris. The response from Harris was nuclear. According to a version in The Sydney Morning Herald, which Walsh has confirmed, Harris began "ranting like a lunatic", claimed Rudd would "hit the roof" and if the paper published, which it did, "we'll have 100 people ready to roll tomorrow morning to trash you and your paper".

The treatment of women by Rudd's office has now become an issue. One female reporter told how Harris walks into her office and goes straight past her to discuss a story she has written.

On one occasion she went and stood between the bureau chief and Harris and said: "Hey Lachlan, I wrote the story!"

That bit in bold is rather interesting I think. Reminds me of yesterday's post. Obviously threats are the go in the Rudd government.

Of course, this post in part began with how the media values celebrity news over serious issues, so one can't really embrace the media wholeheartedly, but still... those that are trying to report on political issues (even if they occasionally go for the dramatic angle - all too easy with such as Belinda Neal around!) should be treated with some respect. It's not wise for a government to get the media offside.

Hmmm

Glenn Milne has said today:

I was warned on Saturday by one of the most senior - and I mean one of the most senior elected office holders in the land - that if I reported claims in a new book that Julia Gillard had been Kevin Rudd's preferred choice as treasurer I would not be dealt with again by the Government. And to his credit, the person making those threats wasn't Wayne Swan.

Sadly adding:

At least whatever punishment is dealt out to Brendan Nelson, even by his own side, he doesn't behave like that.

I'm guessing it's van Onselen's book, 'Howard's End'. What's the big deal after his shocking, I mean, really shocking!!!!! revelation that Rudd has "somewhat of a potty-mouth". Which was disappointingly dulled by the addition that he uses the f-word much less in female company.



SEXIST PIG!!!!


From this, and the revelations that Rudd has quite a nasty temper, we can assume that Milne was actually told by Kevin Rudd himself to "Fuck off Glenn, and don't you fucking dare write of such vile fucking things as my intentions for Julia's fucking role in fucking government you fucker" giving Milne a kick in the ass as he booted him out the front door of Parliament.

Can I just add that, um, it seems a bit of an overreaction to try to censor journalists from reporting something already published...? You know, just thinking...

Rudd's To Do list

As noted by Lenore Taylor, Rudd and pals actually have "too much substance, too much policy fibre for the electorate to digest in just one electoral term." Although they can be accused of spin in that they are doing the early Blair government mistake of daily announcing some new message as they aim to impress themselves upon the 24-hour news cycle, they actually are doing heaps behind the scenes but just not talking about it enough. It seems they are either stuck in a pre-election/opposition approach... or just think us lot are really dense and have minuscule attention spans. I am quite offended and/or disappointed. Give us "a statesmanlike prime minister with big ideas and the courage to back them"! Yes! We want that! Don't talk to us like a bunch of children who prefer to watch 30 second commercials rather than the main program.


Anyway. His to do list:

The emissions trading regime, with its price ramifications for households, drivers, businesses, farmers, exporters and, well, pretty much everybody in the country really, would probably be enough new policy to be getting on with all on its own.

But then there's a complete review of the tax system and all the payments people get from government.

Oh, and an industry policy review, which takes in everything they pay to business.

And through the Council of Australian Governments they are reworking all the payments they make to the states as well.

So, ol' Ruddster is doing plenty. And that he will take on such things (unlike Howard) is why we love him. But Lenore is obviously as frustrated as me that he keeps singing and dancing - and a new routine every day! - when he just needs to speak sensibly about the important work he's doing. Tell us about the long-term hard work. We can handle it!

Has he considered that voters' increasing disappointment (though, not disillusionment) could be due to such an approach? That people may need to be reminded of the work he is doing instead of daily bits and pieces?

As Georges's article today notes:

Like most Australians, Liberal voter Jon Warner was prepared to give the fresh-faced Mr Rudd a fair go when he replaced Mr Howard as prime minister.

The advertising director from Sydney's northern beaches was impressed by Mr Rudd's early move to ratify the Kyoto Protocol - a "nice bit of PR" - and the apology to the Stolen Generations. "His heart's in the right place," the 44-year-old Mr Warner said.

But over the past few months, he has grown increasingly sceptical of Mr Rudd's frenetic leadership style. "There's all the bells and whistles but not a lot of content - he's the master of the 30-second grab." His mate Luke Cook, 27, who also works in advertising, said the word on the street is: "Kevin 07, Mistake 08."

Give us the headline act Mr Rudd. We're tired of ads.

My imagined Clarke & Dawe interview of Rudd

(this is merely from my imagination - I hope they're not insulted!) a John Clarke & Bryan Dawe-type version of earlier post re Kev's visit to Japan:











Mr Rudd, thanks for your time. How are you enjoying Japan?

Oh, well, it's quite nice of course. Maybe not as nice as China, but quite nice.

And how did your meeting with the Prime Minister, Yasao Fukuda go?

Oh, pretty well Bryan, pretty well.

We all know that you're fluent in Mandarin Mr Rudd, but do you speak much Japanese?

Yes... a little...

What can you say in Japanese?

I know how to say, "My name is Kevin, I'm from Australia, thank you very much."

Oh yes, and what else?

Well, that's it really.

Oh.

Yes. But I say it every chance I get Bryan. Oh, and Konnichiwa, I know that one.

Yes.

You mean 'hai' Bryan. See. Know that one too!

Hai. Yes. And your meeting went well?

Yes, I mean hai Bryan. I knew the poor guy's ratings were pretty low. You know, they're below 20 per cent, and everyone's giving him a hard time with a censure and all. So I thought I'd tell him a little bit about Brendan Nelson...

And how did that go?

That cheered him up no end Bryan!

Well that's good. So you got along well then? Even after all the tensions about your trip to China? And the whaling...?

Well, yes and no Bryan. I also said to him he can call me Kevin, you know, everyone calls me Kevin.

Yes, we know.

But then I thought I'd cheer the poor bloke up a bit further and say he can call me The Ruddster if he likes.

The Ruddster?

Yes, I mean, hai... You see, we have a little group where we like to call each other... well, you know. There's The Swanster and The Gillster - I sometimes like to call her The Gillmeister - and The Tannster...

I get the picture.

Yes, hai... So I told him he could be part of the group too!

The Fukster...?

Hai.

Oh dear...

Hai, I must say, it went a bit downhill from there Bryan.

I can imagine. So did you talk to him about the whaling?

Well yes Bryan. But, I was very diplomatic about it.

What did you say?

I said we'd better find a way to be diplomatic about it and once we find a way we'll do something about the whaling.

Diplomatically?

Yes. It's only polite Bryan.

And what did he say?

Well, he pointed out that our Defence Department killed 514 kangaroos recently. Our national emblem he said.

And what did you say?

I diplomatically pointed out to him that he was wrong Bryan!

Wrong...?

Yes. Hai! I told him that the kangaroo isn't our official emblem, not officially Bryan. And anyway, that's the Red kangaroo on our Coat of Arms and these were Grey kangaroos... Plus, I rather diplomatically explained to him that whales weren't swarming all over his old military bases and endangering grassland...!

Well no. They're whales.

Exactly Bryan. I think he got my point.

And what about your visit to China?

Oh, it was great Bryan!

No. I mean, how did you smooth things over there with Mr Fukuda?

Well. I told him I'd taken the same length of time, six months, that Howard did to visit. I told him seven Australian ministers have already visited Japan this year. I told him that I couldn't think of any other country, in fact, that had had such high-level ministerial visits! And I said, "How many Japanese government ministers have been able to visit Australia in the same time?" Hey? I don't think any.

So you handled that diplomatically too...

Of course Bryan. We don't want to upset them any further. I was going to add, "So nyahh!" But I think he got my point...

So apart from that, things went well?

Sort of Bryan. I mean. I did feel the need to bring up how some people in Victoria are none too happy about a Japanese company buying that wind farm thing in Tarwin Lower... And that didn't go down too well...

Oh.

You see, he thought it was Taiwan Lower. That he'd gotten one over on the Chinese!

Oh dear.

Hai. Indeed Bryan. He was very disappointed.

Hai... Were there any issues on which you did get along well?

Well, yes Bryan. We talked about the Toyota deal with the hybrid cars, and his plan to cut emissions and create some experimental carbon market thingamee. And we talked about my plan to save the planet with a Nuclear Non-Proliferations and Disarmament Commission, and I said I'd let him co-chair. You know the thing. The one to be headed by Biggles...

Yes, Biggles... Did you warn him about flying ashtrays?

Of course Bryan. Diplomatically...

And was he impressed with your ideas?

Oh, I think so Bryan. In fact. I gave him some advice, you know, to help him with his ratings and all. I told him...

To... deal with things diplomatically...?

Well, no...

To improve your education and health care systems? Get things right at home before you go out saving the world?

No Bryan...

I know! To do things in 'due season'?

No Bryan. But that's a good point. No. I told him that he ought to make a lot of spur of the moment announcements. You know. Get everyone's attention in some positive way. And the bigger the better!

But, only after he's thoroughly organised it and thought it through of course. You know, told the people involved what they'll be doing.

Hai... something like that Bryan. You know. A couple of hours' notice is always a good idea.
*laughs* You don't want people to think you're loopy or something! You know, for example, the hybrid car deal with Toyota. It was organised years ago that they'd be building these cars for us in Australia!

But, the head of Toyota did seem quite surprised about the $70 million dollars you offered. Tax payers' money...

Hai. They're not quite sure what to do with it actually...

So why did you offer it to them? Do you think you overdid it a bit?

No, no. Not at all Bryan! As I said to The Fuku... to Mr Fukuda. Big announcements. That's what you want. Then you'll be right mate!

I'm sure he was most appreciative. And where are you off to next Mr Rudd?

Jakarta. I'll be there this evening.

So, relations with Indonesia will need some of your diplomatic touch too?

I suppose so Bryan... But of course it's really about the big announcement I'll be making.

Oh, another one? What will it be about this time?

It's really a bit soon to be asking Bryan! I've got hours yet!




For the real (and superior!) thing, go here, or here.



Update 13/6: This is what they did last night.

Sticking to my theme...

ABC news reports:

Rudd dismisses Japan snub claims

At the National Press Club in Tokyo, Mr Rudd was asked why it had taken him more than six months to visit Japan, when he has already visited China, the US, the UK and Indonesia.

Mr Rudd replied, saying John Howard first visited Japan six months after taking office, and seven Australian ministers have already visited Japan this year.

''I can't point to any other country, frankly, which has had such high-level ministerial visits since Day One,'' he said.

"How many Japanese government ministers have been able to visit Australia in the same time? I don't think there are any." Mr Rudd said. Then added, "So nyahh!"

P.S. Regarding Rudd's conversation with PM Fukuda below... He's actually meeting with him tomorrow. I hope he's taken some pointers...!

Kevin goes to Japan!

Konnichiwa Prime Minister Fukuda!
*bows*
*says in Japanese* "My name is Kevin, I'm from Australia, thank you very much".




Konnichiwa Mr Rudd san. Ogenki desu ka?
I did not know you spoke Japanese as well as Mandarin!






Uh... "My name is Kevin, I'm from Australia, thank you very much". ...Hai!


Please, have a seat.


Oh, thank you. Hai! You know, you can call me Kevin if you like... Or, 'the Ruddster'. Heh. Even though you're not one of the group... You know, like 'the Swanster' and 'the Gillster', or sometimes I call her 'the Gillmeister.' You can be 'the Fukster'! Uh... hai!


*some sake is poured*


Tell me, have you been well?


Well yes, hai, thank you. But I did have a dodgy dagwood dog or something the other day, I don't know. All I know is the consequences were graphic! Ha!


Ah. But better than a bad blowfish, yes?


Hai! Yes! Ha ha. Speaking of seafood. I wanted to say that this thing with killing whales is really just not on. You know, I just feel I have to tell you this.


Yes. But, Mr Rudd san. I noticed that your Department of Defence killed 514 kangaroos recently... your national emblem I believe.


Well, no... I mean, it's not officially our national emblem, and that's a Red Kangaroo on the Australian Coat of Arms, you know, these were Grey Kangaroos...


Ah.


Hai.



*pause*














*both sip some warm sake*










Mr Fukuda. I hope this won't stop you giving us lots of money for our exports...


And Mr Rudd san, I hope you will continue to provide us with large amounts of coal and iron ore.


And Mr Fukuda san, I hope you will make some hybrid cars for us.


Sono you desu ne. Looks like we (already) will be!


*clink sake cups*


Speaking of saving the planet, did you know I've just announced that Japan will aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 80 per cent by 2050 and we're going to launch an experimental carbon market?


Really. That sounds great! *sips sake*


Yes. I compared the grand scope of the effort to the Industrial Revolution, and then I said "I believe that we need to make an effort to create a low-carbon revolution so that our descendants 200 years from now will look back and be proud of us." Impressive, hai?


Hai. Hai. Did you hear I've just announced that Australia will set up a Nuclear Non-Proliferations and Disarmament Commission?


Indeed? *sips sake*


Oh, and I visited Hiroshima. I wrote, "Let the world resolve afresh from the ashes of this city - to work together for the common mission of peace for this Asia-Pacific century, and for a world where one day nuclear weapons are no more."


Impressive Mr Rudd san.


I thought so. You know, you can be co-chair if you like!


Much appreciation Mr Rudd san. *mutters* Although I suppose you're happy to keep selling uranium to China... And who will be the head of this important commission?


Biggles.


Biggles?


Yeah, bonza bloke Biggles. But I'll warn you, it's a good idea to keep an eye out for flying ashtrays! Ha ha!


I shall make a note.


Yeah, ol' Bluey. He'll love it. Hey, I heard one of your lot is buying that Bald Hills wind farm project at Tarwin Lower in Victoria. You know, some Vics are none too pleased about it.


Victoria! Hontou desu ka? Really? Oh, Tarwin! Not Taiwan Lower! Ah...! Just when we thought we'd gotten one over on the Chinese... *gulps sake*



You know Mr Fukuda. This has been a jolly good chat. I hope you don't feel I've been ignoring you lately.


Mr Rudd san. I do have bigger things to worry about... elections Sunday did not go well for my party. I'm not very popular, rating below 20%, the opposition is bullying me and planning to censure me.... *gulps more sake*


Uh, well hopefully things will be better on my next visit! *shakes hands in a cheery manner*


Most likely I won't be here Mr Rudd san.


Oh. Below 20% you say? Uh, Mr Fukuda. Have you heard of Brendan Nelson?


Would he be like Gordon Brown?




Oh no, even better than Gordon Brown! Here. Let me give you his number...

Heil Rudd!

I suspect our PM is becoming a bit of a Nazi!

Firstly he's opined that art works he hasn't laid eyes on are "revolting". And said art works (by Australia's third greatest photographer) have been taken away by police as suspected pornography.

When really he would have won a lot more political points if, instead, he started a rumour of the artworks' pornographic and pedophiliac merits.......

And THEN announced that Malcolm Turnbull owns two.

Oh! For shame!


I think, in fact, all pornography should be only legally allowed as art - so at least pedophiles will have to pay a hell of a lot more for it.

Or even better, only public art. That way we can catch all the pedophiles in the art gallery just as they're about to pull out their old fella!




Second, he's working public servants to the bone! And makes no apology for expecting people to "burn the midnight oil".


It seems though that he's just enjoying his mighty power!! (As he did in Queensland government.) He will arrange a meeting with staffers, and then not turn up as they all sit around and wait for him. Also:

"What the public services is angry about is not so much that they're asked to do reports and to spend all night working on them, but once they deliver them to the Prime Minister and other Ministers, nothing happens with them for weeks and weeks and weeks...

"That's what's making them angry - that they give up their nights and then there are no decisions coming from the Government arising from their work."

And our dear little PM's reply? THERE'LL BE MORE!!!! YOU SLACK BUGGERS!!!! As he busily shuffles his (is it 18?) piles of paper about in front of him:

"I understand there's been some criticism around the edges that some public servants are finding the hours a bit much," he said.

"I suppose I've simply got news for the public service - there'll be more.

"This Government was elected with a clear cut mandate, we intend to proceed with that. The work ethic of this government will not decrease, it will increase."

And so what work is he getting done? He's just blathering on back and forth about petrol prices!

Note today's (yes, a bunch of troops came home today, hurrah! maybe he's not quite so much of a Nazi after all...) news:

The Opposition argues that the Government is happy to have issues which divert attention from prices at the bowser.

It says that the spat between the Prime Minister and the public service over working hours and the end of combat operations in Iraq are both distractions from the petrol issue.

When surely the whole petrol thing is a distraction in itself!!!!

Opposition MPs say they will continue to question the Government in Parliament this week about what it can do about rising petrol prices.

Oh great. So Rudd's going to have to work even harder at not getting any work done cause they're still going on about this petrol nonsense just so Nelson can show he can raise his voice and go red in the face with the best of them. "I HAVE CAJONES TOO!" he'll scream.



But, and here's my third point, he has made time to tell all his staff, office and household, they have to take down their Facebook pages.


Hmmm...


Pot... kettle... black:

Rudd has too many web friends
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:42pm AEST

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's popularity in cyberspace is continuing to rise.

Mr Rudd recently joined Facebook, a popular social networking website similar to My Space, where people can join and become friends with others online.

A note on Mr Rudd's site says he now has reached Facebook's cap of 5,000 friends.

It says the Rudd team is in negotiations with Facebook to increase the cap so they can respond to all the requests to become friends.

Tsk.



Now. If he starts burning books....!!!!!!!!!!

Notes re my box's action tonight*

* For you fans of double entendres.

No in depth analysis here. Merely some casual points from my notes. Such as: 'Howard kept going over time. Rudd said at one stage: I couldn't get a word in!' And: 'Howard still looking a grumpy old bugger... acting skills still reasonably intact dammit' and 'Ugh'.
Plus 'note: Rudd a gentleman, immediately walked over to Howard at the end and shook his hand, and not in a Latham I'd-rather-punch-you-in-the-throat, I'm-the-man, don't-mess-with-me kind of manner'.

Repetitions

Rudd:

I will act…
I will act…
I will act…

(re Libs) No action… Failing...
No action…
No action…
Failing...
Failing...
Failing...

Where’s the investment…?
Where’s the investment…?
Where’s the investment…?

When you were treasurer…
When you were treasurer…
When you were treasurer…

Howard:

My fellow Australians (scattered throughout and accompanied by soppy and ‘sincere’ expression - *yeesh*)

Pathetic [classy; not grumpy old man at all]

Got the right balance
Got the right balance
Got the right balance [re IR changes]

General

Rudd:

No matter what amount of 'bleating', Howard cannot be trusted.

Where's Howard's nuclear reactors now that we are close to the election? "Out the back door..."


Howard:

We can’t turn backwards [Yup. I agree with that.]

Speaks of his team who were at his side throughout the trials of terrorism... [did I see a tear trickling down his cheek? what an actor! you'd think they had bombs falling all around them!]

When cornered on how he promised before the last election that he wouldn't make changes to IR laws, yet he did (and apparently said 'you beauty' on that occasion... well, so says Rudd) - he is promising not to, again - he starts speaking 'to all Australians' and sucking up.

Also sad face when speaking of climate change. Tragedy for Australia and the world.
Compares Kyoto to cricket. (Not to be beaten Rudd later says 'But I batted first'. Other Aussie lingo of the evening included 'fair dinkum', 'fair go' and 'two bob each way'.)
Later says that his government is the one most likely to be able to change Bush's mind on climate change, more than any other government IN THE WORLD!!! [Did anyone else see him beating his chest then?]

Sucks up to his fellow Australians again when concluding: I'm an optimist because I believe in the Australian people.
...We've been able to support a strong economy with your help.
[Pu-leeez]

Then he blathered on about Australian history for some reason. How the teaching of our story is his 'education revolution'. Gosh. That's it? That was his concluding comment. Yeah right. Massive.


Costello:

Is one shot of him. Knows camera is on him so sits like a wax dummy with a plastic smile fixed stiffly on his face. For all we know it was a wax dummy. Although, when people in the audience are asked not to interrupt it sounds as though the problem may have been Costello, whilst Rudd was speaking. I suppose it's after all that shouting they get to do in Parliament [anyone else see Howard slip up and say "Mr Speaker" when speaking to a Bennelong apple festival the other day? *hee*].

Howard speaks of Costello: ...Costello, who's with me tonight [thinking about handing leadership over his voice breaks]
[Re question about handing over leadership] obvious... Peter Costello... well into my next term [hits mic stand]

Re govt’s minimal spending in education

All getting rather huffy with each other (which was entertaining)
Rudd quotes OECD figures
Howard says they don’t include recent investments and it’s a dishonest debating point
Rudd: 11 years…
Howard: misleading
Rudd: no additional/recent OECD info…
Howard: ‘Pathetic. You are wrong.’ [Ah, that's very informative and helpful]

Both use dramatic language when speaking of terrorism and security

Rudd:

'I believe in a hard line approach.'
'Uncompromising...'


Howard:

'I will never surrender to terrorists...'
'No escaping...'
People 'brutally murdered' recently in Pakistan...
'Fanatical hatred'
...if we're perceived as weak the terrorists are more rigorous...

Howard also dodged the question of whether the threat of terrorism has increased or decreased because of our role in Iraq war. He dodged the question three times. Ah, dodging and weaving. His greatest skill.

Rudd later points out how Howard promised not to increase troops before election but then after elected he doubled them, so why believe what he says now...

Howard says we will find out.... It's unreasonable to embroil what the troops are doing in this...

Rudd points out that he brought it up.

Howard says how it was Rudd who chose to ask about it...
'I was providing information to the Australian people' [woe is me, I was being really nice and caring for My Fellow Australians and you go and pick on me!] '...will interest the Australian public. You can sneer but I think people respect the role of forces... [I loves the Australian public, now don't you be mean to them! Nasty, nasty man.]

Reconciliation

Howard was asked why he wouldn't say sorry.

Howard: Of course I'm sorry but that's different to taking responsibility... or apologising. [And why does that matter? He only asked you about saying sorry!]
...Is offensive to millions of Australians... [Yes... You are.]
Guilt and blame... blah blah blah...
Inspired intervention (re recent action)
I'm proud of great team...
NT a watershed, overthrown 20 years of failure... [Er... and 11.5 years of that he was PM. Hmmm.]


Rudd proves he cares:

Little kids suffering...
Apology... about respect.
Know not personally responsible.
Create a bridge...
We embrace...
Bridge the gap...
Apology... bridge...





You know, I'm sure that Howard talked more than Rudd did. Or, maybe it just felt like it...


Anyway, big whoop. Really the debate's greatest value is as a guide for whose voice you can put up with for the longest. Vote for the one you found the least irritating.

PS. The worm found Rudd the least irritating. But that means nothing of course. Sorry worm. You're cute, and you've got more personality than both candidates put together, but you're actually even less useful.

PPS. They should have more debates as they bring out more policies. But... Ugh... I'm actually happy with the one I think. One and a half hours of solid waffling from those two, with NO AD BREAKS, was more than enough. Just let me vote and get this over with!!!

Can't get enough of them strippers now! Oh yeah!

As I seem to be Davey's sole source of important Oz news topics whilst he's living it up overseas (the rotten sod) I will update the Rudd stripper shenanigans.




1. Rudd's sis-in-law has revealed herself to the world.... well, BrisVegas at least.
Yes, she was an 'exotic dancer' (they keep putting that in inverted commas so I'm guessing they mean a stripper who's not likely exotic* and probably not dancing so much as exposing her biggest organ - - - heh. You've never heard it put that way before have you?

...Have you???)

The effect Mrs Rudd's revelations may have on the opposition leader's approval ratings is unclear, with a new poll showing his lead has continued to increase.


* [UPDATE] Dang. Ben has pointed out that she is exotic. What are the odds eh? She was born in Botswana (I have some beautiful Agate from there) and her lovely exotic name is Okhola. How wrong am I?
Will add here that I have nothing against exotic dancers whether actually exotic or otherwise. I believe one of my fellow bloggers has done so before and I can imagine doing it in my younger years... although, back then I was even more likely to be giving any man who looked at me the evil eye so I may not have lasted long.
Even today I would consider being one of those dancers who are in those little box rooms in the walls behind glass, wearing awesome underwear, corsets and garters and stockings and such. I like dancing. That would be cool. No one could touch you either.

2. More exciting is that ol' Kev has been revealed as 'rowdy'. Well woo-hoo and yee-ha I say.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Scores strip club in New York has described Mr Rudd's infamous visit, labelling him "rowdy, snotty and uppity".


But not really rowdy, you know, as in actually rowdy at all (apart from the occasional loud "Yeee-hawww" that is)...

Although the venue's owner, Elliot Osher, did not like Mr Rudd's character, he said he did not get into any altercations with staff.

"I looked online and they started putting a lot of baloney reports out there and I'm the owner of the club and I'm there and I'm telling you this guy did not touch a girl, and he was not thrown out, and he acted like a gentleman," Mr Osher told the Courier Mail. "Nobody in the party touched a girl.

But yes, snotty as in snotty, as in snooty (this is sounding like Ferris...).

I must say this is the only point about all these revelations that has quite dismayed me.

"The people he was with, you could tell they had a few drinks, and they were just acting snotty, you know uppity. Like: 'Get me this, get me that'."

Yeah, cause Yanks are renowned for always saying 'please' and 'thank you'! And in polite and quiet tones at that.

3. Not only has he been drunk twice in his life but has been to strip clubs twice. Talk about rowdy!

Mr Rudd has said he only attended a strip club once before, when he was at university.

Yes, and that was only for a supervised field trip... or something... Research paper?

4. Everyone else is wanting to get in on the act seeing as Rudd's popularity is so far going up more than down.

Such as:

JOHN BRUMBY

Premier John Brumby said his last visit to a strip place would have been in the 1970s when he was a student. "It was probably in Sydney, three decades ago with a group of mates, male and female," he said. "That's the main reason people go to Sydney, isn't it?"


Ms Gratton adds:

BRENDAN NELSON

ALEXANDER DOWNER

Brendan Nelson has done it, when he was 20. Alexander Downer says he has never done it when on official business.



GOUGH WHITLAM

Although he only does it the French way as he prefers places where lasses are exploited in la dee da fashion: "where the exploitation of women is very tasteful" and "Nothing so crass as they have in New York."

Talk about 'snooty'!


BUT...


SURPRISE SURPRISE...

Tony Abbott won't talk about whether he's done it, because he doesn't want to fib. And nobody quite dares to ask John Howard whether he's been to a strip club. The

Prime Minister was tight-lipped."I have nothing to say about it," he said.




5. Glenn Milne is sounding pretty dumb, as per usual.

Re this 'scandal' coming from the Libs., seeing as some had sneakily referred to it in a scary fashion in Parliament and that it has just suddenly been publicly announced only weeks out from an election. You know, obviously just a coincidence.

Milne said: "I won't comment on sources at all except to say … that it was outside political circles, that it was around, so it certainly wasn't placed by the Government."

So if it has been 'around' why bring it up now?


Milne also hinted he believed there was something in claims he reported of Mr Rudd behaving inappropriately. Col Allan has said it was a gentlemen's club and Mr Rudd behaved like a "perfect gentleman". But Milne said Allan had a wicked sense of humour and his words should be looked at closely.

Yeah... Uh huh. Okaaaay.




6. But Bob Brown makes more sense than anyone and has the winning comment.

Greens leader Bob Brown said the issue should be kept in perspective. "Four years ago Kevin Rudd got drunk and took himself into a strip club," ... "Four years ago John Howard, sober, took Australia into the Iraq war. I think the electorate can judge which one did the more harm."

On ya Bob!

...

Kev: "Shake what yo mamma gave you, baby!"

I've changed my mind. I'm not voting for Kevin Rudd now. He visited a strip club in New York. Four years ago. Tsk.


Seriously though, such news loses some of its impact when we knew Libs had some dirt on him they were waiting to reveal, and apparently Julia Gillard too (what? she was the stripper!!!?).

Honestly, after the initial hoo-ha most people will surely think to themselves, 'OK. He is presenting himself as the next Prime Minister, quite a big deal yes, but this is all the dirt on him? That's it? That's the best the Libs have got?'


After such ponderings people may next try to picture John Howard in a strip joint...





Hee. Yes, that gave me a good chuckle too.















Of course Johnny wouldn't need to go as I'm certain Jeanette does a regular show for him at home, being the devoted wife and all. She'd be oiling herself up, putting on the heels and garter, feather boa. *cue music*

The minute ya walked in the joint. BAA DA!! I could see you were a man of distinction, real big spender...

*jiggle jiggle*

*shimmy*

"Hee hee. Oh Jeanette!"





Sorry. You weren't eating while reading this were you...?



---

Anyway, a couple of things had me a bit shirty this morning (pun likely subconsciously intended).


1. The Big Sensational News Story was 'broken' by Glenn Milne. Ahem...

2. Glenn Milne is queried about the glass houses aspect on Insiders and says well, he's not running for PM. But then he backs this up with a list of qualities that are important for high-ranking politicians and they were all equally viable qualities for journalists! Why did no one point this out to Mr Milne?!! (I said my piece loudly to the telly but was rudely ignored.)

3. I switch over to Nine to see if Rudd is still being interviewed on Sunday. Catch the end of the interview. Hear that news headlines will be after the ads so wait for them.
News headlines: what Rudd said before the ad break, he'd been to a strip club; show footage of him in studio a few minutes ago; end news headlines. Another tirade aimed at the telly and enforced by a few expletives regarding the quality of Channel Nine reportage and journalistic integrity, and a firm switching off of said telly. (I showed them.)

---

In some ways this news re Rudd actually confirms his goody-goodyness. He has explained that he was a bit drunk and that it was only for the SECOND TIME in his LIFE! Good grief. How much more straight laced an Aussie male could you ask for? (OK, well, after Johnny... aaand Abbott...)



Anyway. I'm sure he only went there for the ladies renowned (according to the owners) conversational delights:

The SCORES officers Management will ensure that licensee’s of the “SCORES” brand name maintain the highest standards of operation particularly with their performers in the areas of personal appearance and personality as well as the ability to interact intelligently with customers and engage them in meaningful conversation.

Uh huh.