New Prime Minister!

[ryana89]

We're screwed no matter what, it's just a question of who is going to bend us over and whether they'll use coal dust or kitty litter to lube us up.
Trent

X 2
Pretty much somes it all up

[Whubbsie]

rudd chickened out im glad he s gone, but now we have a pretender as a prime me nees ter.
i didnt elect her,
did you?
did your friend?
thats my point. bring back johnny

This is what gets me dont really give a damn that Rudds gone but the fact he can be replaced without the public having any say in it's, that disturbs me.

[Rocket36]

This is what gets me dont really give a damn that Rudds gone but the fact he can be replaced without the public having any say in it's, that disturbs me.

Australia doesn't vote for the Prime Minister. Australia vote for their local member and the parties pick their respective leaders. The Party Leader of party that wins a majority government becomes Prime Minister. The only people that vote for the Prime Minister are those in the Prime Minister's electorate.

[AusScare]

Here's how I see it from voting as an 18yo in the last election:

Rudd brought in alcopops tax and didn't get me superfast internet, so I won't be voting labour.

[Buller_Scott]

well, so far i havent seen anyone in here ask the burningly obvious:

how is someone expected to run a nation, from the kitchen?

[Tim]

Here's how I see it from voting as an 18yo in the last election:

Rudd brought in alcopops tax and didn't get me superfast internet, so I won't be voting labour.

At least its a good way of making young drinkers see sense. Its much better value to buy a whole bottle of spirits and binge drink!

[Buller_Scott]

Its much better value to buy a whole bottle of spirits and binge drink!

>mcwilliams dry sherry
>berri estates dry red 5L
>berri estates lambrusco
>stones mac ginger wine

oh yeah!

[VW Convert]

Here's how I see it from voting as an 18yo in the last election:

Rudd brought in alcopops tax and didn't get me superfast internet, so I won't be voting labour.

Is that how you really see it? You vote for the person who promises to give you something?

Please consider voting for someone whose policies are about what is good for the country as a whole.

[VW Convert]

well, so far i havent seen anyone in here ask the burningly obvious:

how is someone expected to run a nation, from the kitchen?

You're not suggesting "keep them barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen" applies here are you Scott?

[Tensixty6]

Australia doesn't vote for the Prime Minister. Australia vote for their local member and the parties pick their respective leaders. The Party Leader of party that wins a majority government becomes Prime Minister. The only people that vote for the Prime Minister are those in the Prime Minister's electorate.

Technically correct. I would suggest however that a large proportion of voters will vote for the party in their electorate based on their perception of the party leader, in other words who they would like to have as Prime Minister. It's a bit naive really since we all know how easily a leader can be deposed.

I wish Julia well, even though I tend to vote conservative. At the end of the day, her priority will be the same as that of ALL polititians, which is to get re-elected.

[Mr.B]

Some interesting replies in this topic so far. And I do agree with Rocket36 on almost all grounds. First, it's interesting the notion of voting has come up in terms of local electorates and in terms of preferred PM. When most people hear that X party has run the country into <insert problem here> the typical response is "Not my fault, I voted for Y". It's still astonishing that people are under the idea that when voting in local electorates, when we vote we do not vote for the Prime Minister, we vote for a local representative in the House of Representatives. Most candidates represent political parties, so we are also usually voting for the party we hope will have the majority of seats in Parliament. As we know the leader of each party, we are also effectively electing the Prime Minister. Usually, the result of an election is clear, and one side or the other will have a clear majority, and whoever leads that side of politics will become Prime Minister.

Second, the issue of gender. To some people, gender may or may not be an issue. But since Gillard got voted in, I've noticed numerous sexist remarks from some people from various realms of the media and amongst most of my friends; whom reside in Queensland. Now this is just a single instance, but under Anna Bligh, we've seem some considerably large problems arise since she's been in power. And what seems to be a common trend is people are associating Gillard with Bligh because they are both women and are both Labor supporters. At best, we can assess and assume what she will do in regards to policies based on her previous political positions and the decisions she's made whilst in those positions. It's unfair (in my opinion) to jump the gun and say "Because she's a Labor woman, she'll stuff the country". There is no way of really knowing, until she makes a decision and see where it takes us.

I'm not a Labor supporter, I'm more a Liberal supporter. However, I believe that electing an MP (and with the hope that they win the most seats in the House of Representatives will elect a PM) should be based on the best decisions that will help develop our country for a better future. Not based on personal and in some cases biased views.

[Rocket36]

What's going on? So many people agreeing with me! LOL!!!

Anyone remember these sentiments from the last election?

DO NOT VOTE LIBERAL IN THE COMING ELECTION - Howard will not last the full term... they will replace him with Costello or someone else! ...why waste your vote on an unstable government??
VOTE LABOR - VOTE RUDD 07!

[Buller_Scott]

One day... Been a party member all my adult life.

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but for serious, it's a bit unnerving, the lack of cohesion that has manifested itself in krudd's canning this week, and for labor to be able to basically say "what?! oh no! no no no! he's not with US, we've got rid of him, so you can vote for us again! the problems gone, keep your vote with us!".

it's the kind of cowardly act and lack of honor that wouldnt be suffered by this guy:

[Highlander]

I'm also agreeing with Rocket

Speaking clearly and with conviction doesn't mean you know what you're doing!

Rocket. I have to say that I find myself agreeing with you on this point. You have proven this over and over again with many of your comments on this forum.

And have a look at the history of the mining company shares during the GFC. They took a giant hit and have they yet recovered beyond the pre GFC levels.

Selling iron ore is a bit like selling R36s in Australia. Buyers lining up to purchase. Would have been interesting to see how wonderfully we would have been saved by the mining industry if China had fallen in a hole and iron ore prices not 10 times what they were only a few years ago.

And I do have some sympathy for the view that the stuff in the ground belongs to US and that it would be nice to share in the profits from it..

I'm not commenting on parties one way or the other. Labor lost the 2001 election when Beasley moved to the same policy on refugees as the Libs and people with half a heart deserted both the major parties. I haven't voted since then and would rather pay the fine than encourage either of them.

To get on an overcrowded boat with FA freeboard after paying your life savings to some conscienceless people smuggler who doesn't care whether you live or die once he has your money reeks of desperation to me but the materialistic and isolationist majority (in a democracy I must admit) seem to have little sympathy.

The miners were happy to import low cost workers. Maybe we could ask them to provide funds to help the boat people.

The irony of it all is that our Mk V1 TDI travelled from Germany to Australia on the MV Tampa which, with your omnipotent knowledge, you will remember was the ship involved in the initial "boat people" controversy.

[Buller_Scott]

Rocket. I have to say that I find myself agreeing with you ........ with your omnipotent knowledge.........

jesus. tickle his balls while you're at it, why dont you?