[Skyhook]

Well its official, Kevin Rudd is the new Prime Minister of Australia, the worlds only western democratic leader, that can speak Chinese.

A fantastic victory, we can now look forward to our IRAQ troops being withdrawn, the Kyoto treaty being signed, and closer ties with China as a net result...

Great news overall, and a landslide victory, really kicking the political boot into John Howard.

[kombuchakid]

I know you are justly celebrating but pray tell me how Australia comes to be a 'western democracy'?
I expect Osama and Al to send congratulatory telegrams to Rudd but China? Hu is probably getting brushing up on his Fukienese just so the foreign devil doesn't eavesdrop on him.

[MS@HK]

strange is the way of Oz ....guy gives you 11 years of growth and stability and you cut him down......and the primary reasons as far as I can see : rates are too high .....set by an INDEPENDENT central bank ....and they have a drought ...caused probably by the US and chinese Co2 emmissions.
A new face for the sake of it ....

[tinybear]

It goes to show one shouldn't be in power for too long and overstay one's welcome.

As for Rudd, well you have to give him sometime on the job before you celebrate.

[KnowItAll]

>> 'western democracy'?

Common to use western to imply gwailo.

[Skyhook]

Well, imho, I think Kevin Rudd is the most dynamic, and energetic leader to emerge onto the Australian political stage, for a very long time.

He has bucket loads of enthusiasm, as a public speaker he speaks with enjoyable diction, and he has a presidential air about his appearance.. He actually looks the part, basically in a nutshell, Kevin Rudd is John Howard, but with all the nasty bits removed.

I have admired Kevin Rudd, for many years, his family is a great success story, winners through and through, but with an identifiable connection, that majority of the people can relate with. Kevin Rudd has virile blood in his veins, he's alive!

I can also see that under the Howard Govt, sure the economy is great, but I don't think taking credit for a booming global economy is particularly intelligent, in a word, it was like shooting fish in a barrel. Blind freddy could have run the Australian govt under the same global climate, and still produced black ink.

But the thing I noticed most about Australia run by Howard, under supposedly the best economic times that Australia has seen, is that the mood in Australia is at its lowest that i have ever seen...

The mood in Australia under Bob Hawke during the early 80's was so much more dynamic, people seemed happier, regardless of interest rates, back in a society that didnt have to have Plasma TV's and the 4500ft2 homes on 1/4 acre blocks.

Kevin's deep interest in China, is actually genuine, and he has no interest to follow McCarthy style smiley faced, clandestine politics, he will strengthen the relationship with China, and if the American govt has half a brain, they will use Kevins Chinese language/cultural profficiency as a positive political conduit.

But lets see how things pan out, I have great faith in Kevin Rudds ability, I welcome his Tony Blair air of commanding authority.

But, at the end of the day, people collectively make a country succeed, not just the talking head that represents it at the top..

[MS@HK]

agreed ...but it is also a fact that all it takes is a cretin at the top to screw things up ....overactive heads of state are the most dangerous creatures on the planet.give me a good old geriatric geezer who doesnt have a clue anyday....

[Crocodile]

Originally Posted by Skyhook

[color="DarkSlateGray"]Well, imho, I think Kevin Rudd is the most dynamic, and energetic leader to emerge onto the Australian political stage, for a very long time.

I have never heard anyone describe KR as dynamic or energetic. He is very conservative in his views, likes to say the same catch phrases over and over and always likes to keep control of a interview. There are a lot of ALP members who consider him to be the leader they had to have to get back into power, because he does Howard better than Howard.

Originally Posted by Skyhook

He has bucket loads of enthusiasm, as a public speaker he speaks with enjoyable diction, and he has a presidential air about his appearance.. He actually looks the part, basically in a nutshell, Kevin Rudd is John Howard, but with all the nasty bits removed.

Having seen John Howard speak at a number of public functions, I was very impressed (and surprised) at his skills to talk without referring to notes or read a prepared speech. I have not see Rudd personally, so can't comment - have only heard him on soft FM radio in Australia.

Originally Posted by Skyhook

But the thing I noticed most about Australia run by Howard, under supposedly the best economic times that Australia has seen, is that the mood in Australia is at its lowest that i have ever seen...

The lowest? hmmm, we must get around in different circles.

Originally Posted by Skyhook

The mood in Australia under Bob Hawke during the early 80's was so much more dynamic, people seemed happier, regardless of interest rates, back in a society that didnt have to have Plasma TV's and the 4500ft2 homes on 1/4 acre blocks.

Happier? I couldn't get a job and neither could alot of other people during the "recession we had to have". Now I don't know anyone in Australia without a job and I know plenty of people that shop around for the best job offer when they want to move jobs.

Originally Posted by Skyhook

Kevin's deep interest in China, is actually genuine, .

Well, he did study Chinese history and language at University and had a diplomatic posting in Beijing, so I hope that he wasn't just faking it.

I have no strong political beliefs but I do believe that the Liberal government was good for Australia as a whole. Yes, they did make their fair share of mistakes. I am sure the ALP will do a good job also, but I don't really see how just because the ALP is in power, Australia will automatically have closer ties with China. It is going to be interesting to see what the next three years brings.

BTW, watching Julia Gillard last night was really disturbing. I don't think I like her - there is something that is just not right.

[jonnye]

Originally Posted by Skyhook

But lets see how things pan out, I have great faith in Kevin Rudds ability, I welcome his Tony Blair air of commanding authority.

But, at the end of the day, people collectively make a country succeed, not just the talking head that represents it at the top..

God help you then. Having just left the UK after 10 years of TB I can imagine things won't change all that much for you. As crocodile mentioned, the Aus Labour Party have Kevin Rudd as he's made them electable, much like (New) Labour in the UK. It was often said that TB was in the wrong party, and apparently he would frequently view himself as being on the very right of his party.

I don't think Kevin Rudd will be the problem though. His main policies, particularly economic, are virtually indistinguishable from the John Howard government's policies. I'd say his front bench are the more likely place to look for danger. I notice a lot has been made of Iraq, Kyoto, and being able to speak Mandarin.

Was Iraq a big issue in the election? Is signing up to Kyoto necessarily a good thing? Yes, it gives you a nice, warm 'fuzzy' feeling that you're doing the green thing. But, as I see it doesn't actually have much effect other than to introduce new costs to business and people. Is being able to speak Mandarin a highly sought after attribute in a leader?

I am curious to know what the actual issues of the election were. Normally, in the UK, it's the economy. So long as that's ok, and people have money to spend you're pretty set.

Yes, people make a country succeed - but the government can either help or hinder that path to success. A more intrusive and controlling government is just a hindrance.

[KnowItAll]

>> what the actual issues of the election were

I suspect it was change for the sake of change.