New Australian PM

[GT Pro]

PRIME minister-elect Kevin Rudd has outlined his plans for his government's first 100 days in office, starting with the selection of his ministry.

Mr Rudd today said he hoped to have his ministry sworn in "very soon after" the Labor caucus meets this Thursday.

Mr Rudd, who has vowed to choose his own ministry, said he would also welcome many new Labor colleagues when the parliamentary party meets in Canberra.


"The only thing that would get in the road of that is if we have an unnecessarily large number of uncertainties concerning the outcome in individual constituencies," he said.

"Our intention is for the parliamentary party to meet this Thursday, our intention also therefore would be to have a ministry sworn in very soon after that."

Mr Rudd said he would meet this afternoon with the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peter Shergold, to discuss matters up for negotiation at next month's Bali climate conference.

"I'll also be discussing with Dr Shergold the normal administrative arrangements concerning the administrative orders which would affect any incoming government."

Mr Rudd said he had not been disingenuous by saying throughout the election campaign that the result would be tight, despite polls showing Labor heading for a landslide.

"I've been straight up and down about my belief that this would become very tight," Mr Rudd said.

"As you saw through some of the published polls leading up to election day, it narrowed, I always thought that would be the case.

"At the end of the day in politics you never know where it's going to fall so I was being absolutely straight up and down with people based on what we knew."

Mr Rudd said code of conduct documents for his government would be released soon.

On his first 100 days in office, he said: "You will see us methodically work through our program for government.

"The plans we put forward for the future are detailed if you look at what we've advanced in terms of education, hospitals and climate change and water as well as our proposals on industrial relations.

"This is a substantive agenda of work, everyone's going to have their hands well and truly full.''

It's official, more than 50% of Australians are brain-dead.

I'll give the economy 2 years until it goes into recession. 👎

 

[Casio]

Agreed. Although my friend and I are betting 1 year.

Someone told me he's already dipped into the Future Fund?

 

[GT Pro]

Someone told me he's already dipped into the Future Fund?

Yep. Already planned back in March was $2.7-4.7 billion taken from Telstra shares for a rather unneccessary national high-speed broadband network.

 

[Solid Fro]

I don't like to mess with other county's politics, but have fun getting anally raped by Kyoto, Aussies.

 

[Vasco]

It's official, more than 50% of Australians are brain-dead.

I'll give the economy 2 years until it goes into recession. 👎

I'd like to think of myself as not being brain dead, why do you think I am? Sure, I don't agree with the full rolling back of the Workchoices legislation, but you can't be ignorant enough to believe that the Howard government is wholly responsible for the strong economic growth of Australia? Firstly it's been using budget surpluses (and contractionary fiscal policy) over the past decade - largely ignoring economic conditions to keep that surplus (which has contributed to the rising inflationary pressures in the economy since the 07/08 budget was an absolute spending spree), and secondly a lot of the microeconomic reform implemented by the Keating government has contributed to Australia's strong growth (since it takes a few years to impact on the economy).
The Howard government should also take credit for the drought since it seems to also be taking credit for the commodities boom, not to mention breaking Howard's absolutely idiotic promise that interest rates would not rise.

The economy is not the only issue you should vote on either. There is a lack of environmental, education, and broadband policies in the Liberal Party. The only information I ever saw from them/received from them was telling me about the past occupations of the Labor Party and how interest rates were high about 20 years ago. Big deal, stop wasting my money printing out these stupid brochures on glossy paper.
Also I'd rather not have a racist PM thankyou very much, it's about time someone was more pro active in Aboriginal affairs.
Oh yes, and Peter Costello does not strike me at all as a leader - he just looked really uncomfortable most of the time, especially when with Howard.

I don't like to mess with other county's politics, but have fun getting anally raped by Kyoto, Aussies.

Well we're already fairly close to the emissions targets anyway (we have a higher target than other nations because of our dependence on coal) - and there is likely to be a successor negotiated to the Kyoto agreement soon. It's not really that bad, most of the EU signed the agreement and they don't seem to be getting anally raped.

 

[Blake]

Oh yes, and Peter Costello does not strike me at all as a leader - he just looked really uncomfortable most of the time, especially when with Howard.

That reminds me of this Chaser’s skit. I love the Costello shirt.

 

[Max Powers]

You aussies have your own Private Messanging system and we don't?!

That's not fair!

 

[Robin]

I was wondering like why he is so old... isnt there any fresh blood wanting to take up the challenge!

Robin

 

[Small_Fryz]

Interest rates under Howard have risen when he said they would not, but if the other guys were in power whos to say it wouldnt have risen more? Maybe howard kept them as low as possible.

anyway we will soon see what happens. I personally dont care a whole lot, my job isnt effected by any workchoice, ir or anything. Base wage + commission, 45.6hr week 6 days a week, no matter if thats boxing day/ public holidays or weekends/ late thursdays. Just have to sit back and see what happens.

 

[Casio]

Interest rates under Howard have risen when he said they would not, but if the other guys were in power whos to say it wouldnt have risen more? Maybe howard kept them as low as possible.

They've only risen 1.25% in 5 years anyway haven't they?

It doesn't really affect me too much either, although I am on a workplace agreement so I don't know what will happen with that. I also think it's interesting that almost everyone I've spoken to is dreading the fact that Rudd won, so now I'm wondering who actually voted for him .

 

[Vasco]

Interest rates under Howard have risen when he said they would not, but if the other guys were in power whos to say it wouldnt have risen more? Maybe howard kept them as low as possible.

anyway we will soon see what happens. I personally dont care a whole lot, my job isnt effected by any workchoice, ir or anything. Base wage + commission, 45.6hr week 6 days a week, no matter if thats boxing day/ public holidays or weekends/ late thursdays. Just have to sit back and see what happens.

Yeah they probably would've risen under other leaders but that fact is that he made the stupid promise that they would not rise. It's stupid because while he can slightly influence inflationary pressures indirectly he has no control over the actions of the RBA.
Certainly the expansionary fiscal policy of 07/08 is likely to see inflationary pressures continue to rise and there will probably be another interest rate rise early next year - guess who the (now opposition) will blame it on?

 

[fyfee]

Mr Kevin Rudd came to my school about 2 months ago to find out about our VET Automotive course. He has the idea of bringing back technical colleges apparently...not that it affects me now.

Anyway, the point is, when we were in the auto workshop and i was 'working' on a car, i was talking to him (on camera) and he said to me 'why don't you get the keys and do some burnouts out the back there'. I just stood there and laughed because you know, thats what you have to do in those situations.

Now, I'm 17, so obviously i didn't vote, but if the now PM of our country said i could do burnouts...can i? I mean, it is on camera...in fact its on about 5 cameras...

 

[YSSMAN]

Its very strange that here in America, this was discussed very quietly as it seemed (as some had phrased it), we weren't going to lose anything with either candidate. More often than not, it was played off as what candidate would better address global warming, and apparently it was supposed to be a model for the success or failure of the Democrat or Republican candidates here in the US.

I haven't read-up on Rudd, but he seems like a halfway-decent guy. We'll see what happens I suppose.

I've found these newer crops of Prime Ministers around the world increasingly more appealing, and thats a good thing. Lets hope the next US President can play nicely with Gordon Brown, Nikolas Sarkozy and Kevin Rudd.

 

[Casio]

He's pulling out of Iraq, and is definitely more 'independent' than Howard was regarding foreign policy. (He is going to hold another referendum on if Australia should become a republic).

When asked 'Obama or Hillary' his reply was 'Hillary' take that as you will.

 

[Solid Fro]

Obama or Hilary? You mean Flip and Flop.

 

[Sureboss]

He's pulling out of Iraq, and is definitely more 'independent' than Howard was regarding foreign policy. (He is going to hold another referendum on if Australia should become a republic).

When asked 'Obama or Hillary' his reply was 'Hillary' take that as you will.

What was the question?...

---

Is Ken Rudd the bloke that was caught in a strippers bar? In America wasn't it?

 

[Casio]

The question was

"Hillary or Obama?"

And yes, that's the man.

I think he looks like a Lego man.

 

[Gen.]

It's official, more than 50% of Australians are brain-dead.

I'll give the economy 2 years until it goes into recession. 👎

Let's flip that. The minority is brain dead for supporting a man who has lied time and time again to the public, led us on a wild goose chase in Iraq, and clearly has lost touch with the public. You sir, are the one brain dead.

Because it's totally my opinion.

 

[Casio]

Rudd wanted to stay in Iraq anyway until he just wanted to be popular rather than giving his real opinions.

 

[Gen.]

Yea well. Politics sucks.

 

[YSSMAN]

Quite right. Its all a "run out of Iraq as fast as you can!" situation right now in any of the Allied countries, all while we also ignore the growing problems in Afghanistan.

Politics are just that, and when an opportunity presents itself for one to gain and hold power because of it, you can bet your jolly ass that someone (anyone) will take it. Sure, we all like to dream that the idealist nature is indeed something that drives all politicians, but it simply isn't the case. Realism, for all its intensive purposes, is the only way to get ahead.

Whether or not Rudd wants out of Iraq is a question of Australia's sovereignty, not that of a US decision. We're happy you helped for as long as you did, and while we're considering pulling out as well, I don't think we'll mind having to lock-up ourselves. What must be done, simply put, must be done. Honestly, I think the Aussies have more important things to worry about than what the folks are doing in the Mid-East, particularly dealing with the drought issues.

 

[Omnis]

So is this guy a socialist or something? Was he against the war from the beginning or is he a US-Democrat type who is only against it for popularity?

 

[Casio]

So is this guy a socialist or something? Was he against the war from the beginning or is he a US-Democrat type who is only against it for popularity?

Popularity.

Yet Kevin Rudd still insists he’s against a strategy that is saving lives and defeating an enemy that would feed on our retreat, telling the ABC on Monday: “We have argued consistently against that surge strategy.” On Wednesday he added he would pull out all our 500 combat troops if he won the election: “In mid-’08, our combat force comes out and would not be replaced.”


What populism. Once, of course, Rudd said something quite different. In 2003 he declared that “pretending Iraq is now somebody else’s problem is just a domestic political strategy”.

If we and our allies did not “deal with the substantive problems on the ground in Iraq . . . there is a grave risk of Iraq becoming another Vietnam”.

 

[guska]

I'd like to think of myself as not being brain dead, why do you think I am? Sure, I don't agree with the full rolling back of the Workchoices legislation, but you can't be ignorant enough to believe that the Howard government is wholly responsible for the strong economic growth of Australia? Firstly it's been using budget surpluses (and contractionary fiscal policy) over the past decade - largely ignoring economic conditions to keep that surplus (which has contributed to the rising inflationary pressures in the economy since the 07/08 budget was an absolute spending spree), and secondly a lot of the microeconomic reform implemented by the Keating government has contributed to Australia's strong growth (since it takes a few years to impact on the economy).
The Howard government should also take credit for the drought since it seems to also be taking credit for the commodities boom, not to mention breaking Howard's absolutely idiotic promise that interest rates would not rise.

The economy is not the only issue you should vote on either. There is a lack of environmental, education, and broadband policies in the Liberal Party. The only information I ever saw from them/received from them was telling me about the past occupations of the Labor Party and how interest rates were high about 20 years ago. Big deal, stop wasting my money printing out these stupid brochures on glossy paper.
Also I'd rather not have a racist PM thankyou very much, it's about time someone was more pro active in Aboriginal affairs.
Oh yes, and Peter Costello does not strike me at all as a leader - he just looked really uncomfortable most of the time, especially when with Howard.



Well we're already fairly close to the emissions targets anyway (we have a higher target than other nations because of our dependence on coal) - and there is likely to be a successor negotiated to the Kyoto agreement soon. It's not really that bad, most of the EU signed the agreement and they don't seem to be getting anally raped.

Well said 👍

It's official, more than 50% of Australians are brain-dead.

I take offence at that, who are you belittle the opinions and choices of others?

He's pulling out of Iraq, and is definitely more 'independent' than Howard was regarding foreign policy. (He is going to hold another referendum on if Australia should become a republic).

When asked 'Obama or Hillary' his reply was 'Hillary' take that as you will.

Which is one I will definitely be voting yes to.

Let's flip that. The minority is brain dead for supporting a man who has lied time and time again to the public, led us on a wild goose chase in Iraq, and clearly has lost touch with the public. You sir, are the one brain dead.

Because it's totally my opinion.

Thats politics, sadly. However I agree with what you are saying.

So is this guy a socialist or something? Was he against the war from the beginning or is he a US-Democrat type who is only against it for popularity?

Politics and Popularity seem to go hand in hand these days, which really defeats the purpose to a degree.