Under normal circumstances in a normal world a Global Economic Crisis would spell trouble for the government of the day and provide ammunition for the Opposition. If this were the case Malcolm Turnbull would be riding high in the polls and Kevin Rudd would be struggling. But the reverse is true and it begs the question: ‘How come?’
It seems the Global Financial Crisis has been a godsend for Kevin Rudd. It has allowed him to blame every problem we have on ’the GFC’ and provided him an excuse to literally give away the $45 billion surplus he inherited from the Howard-Costello government. A surplus that took 11 years to build has only taken Kevin Rudd two years to spend!
History indicates this is the Labor way. Gough Whitlam did it. Paul Keating did it. And now Kevin Rudd’s doing it! The one thing these Labor Prime Ministers had in common is they never had a real job and had never run a business before getting elected. But whilst they didn’t have any experience in generating wealth they sure know how to spend it.
So Kevin Rudd’s response to the Global Economic Crisis was based on ’spin and spend’.
Every problem confronting his government was conveniently blamed on ‘the GFC’. Whilst everybody agreed that action had to be taken to ‘stimulate’ the economy he decided to ‘stimulate’ voters. Rather than provide incentives through tax cuts he decided to give $900 to voters whether they needed it or not. Rather than provide incentives to business he decided to build Julia Gillard Memorial Halls in every school in the country whether they needed one or not.
The polls show that Kev’s voter stimulus package has worked exceptionally well. Come in spinner!
On the policy front the Rudd Government is desperately trying to wedge Malcolm Turnbull on their Emissions Trading Scheme by having the debate before World leaders meet in Copenhagen to develop a strategy. It is a high stakes game and Kevin Rudd seems prepared to risk the viability of our rural industries if that’s what it takes to destroy his greatest political threat, Malcolm Turnbull.
Turnbull has the job ahead of him. His cause was not made any easier by his handling of ‘utegate’ but if justice ever prevails over the Heiner Affair in Queensland ‘utegate’ will pale into insignificance.
In the meantime Malcolm Turnbull must continue to expose the shallow insincerity and short-term expediency of another high-spending, high taxing Labor regime that will do whatever it takes to stay in power.
Check Malcolm Turnbull’s recent address to the NSW Liberal Party at:
Tags: My Opinion
Charlie,
I am not so sanguine as to Turnbull’s political capabilities. For a bloke with his previous stature and experience he has not been able to gain any traction agaist Rudd. He can’t seem to make up his mind whether he is a small ‘l’ Liberal or not – somewhat like one of our lesser quality PM’s, Malcolm Fraser. In regard to the ETS I suggest that he should swallow his pride (probably the hardest thing for him to do) disregard earlier election statements and join with the Nationals to oppose it. There are sound national interest reasons for such a course and that is almost reason enough for it to be followed. Although unlike the Nationals to date he would also need good alternative polices and approaches of which there are a few – at least it would get him out of the ‘wedge’. I remain unimpressed with his performace (and that of his main chosen Ministers) when, as you suggest, there are ample opportunities to make some telling points against Rudd and which he/they has/have failed to do. Its time too for a hint of future Liberal policies to begin to emerge – perhaps the recent IR comments are a start here but again not well handled – not thought through in regard to presentation and detail requiring further explanation as the Rudd onslaught descended as well it might have been expected to do so. I will await further outcomes.