Thread: Comparing the Parties

Labor seem to be a, get down in the trenches government and develop policy which actually addresses grassroot challenges. The Howard era seemingly rode on the back of not only our mining boom but the fact that Globally the world was financially stable. The coalition's major reform achievements were the GST and workchoices, which was overthrown. I cannot think of anything that was significant enough to mention other than these 2. I would be happy to hear of anything substantial that has had a major bearing on the development of Australia, which the coalition government have achieved. I can't help but to think that the coalition were a do nothing but save money government especially during a time of global and national prosperity without any major initiatives. The visionary party in my mind seems to be the ALP unless somebody can substantiate differently.

If the coalition were in the same predicament during the GFC, I can't help but to think that we would be not only dealing with dilapadated transport systems, hospitals and other infrastructure but would have felt the full effects had they been in government during this time due to their policies regarding the GFC. What would they have done that would have improved on ALP's actions that seemingly saved us from disaster?

The CTS is an example of visionary policy, rather than sit on your hands and do nothing long term.

Originally Posted by truthvigilante

Labor seem to be a, get down in the trenches government and develop policy which actually addresses grassroot challenges. The Howard era seemingly rode on the back of not only our mining boom but the fact that Globally the world was financially stable. The coalition's major reform achievements were the GST and workchoices, which was overthrown. I cannot think of anything that was significant enough to mention other than these 2. I would be happy to hear of anything substantial that has had a major bearing on the development of Australia, which the coalition government have achieved. I can't help but to think that the coalition were a do nothing but save money government especially during a time of global and national prosperity without any major initiatives. The visionary party in my mind seems to be the ALP unless somebody can substantiate differently.

If the coalition were in the same predicament during the GFC, I can't help but to think that we would be not only dealing with dilapadated transport systems, hospitals and other infrastructure but would have felt the full effects had they been in government during this time due to their policies regarding the GFC. What would they have done that would have improved on ALP's actions that seemingly saved us from disaster?

The CTS is an example of visionary policy, rather than sit on your hands and do nothing long term.

How about the Northen rail link?

AND as for Transport and hospitals, what have they done to make them better? Nothing.

However, The only improvement I could imagine the Coalition doing during the crisis, is reduce the waste of the stimulus package, thus providing more resources for further stimulus. Respectively, the Coalition did expect to spend on infrastructure, BUT what infrastructure?

Labor has put themselves in a tight situation, should the EU problem continue to rock the boat, Labor has limited it's ability to react with the same fervour as they did with the first. I would suggest, this is because they wasted too much with the first package, in haste to roll it out.

Yea I agree garry, Lucky we had a Rudd Government in charge during GFC.


But I do believe the Red Head has sold us out to the Euro/Yanks. I'm leaning towards Mr.Abbott next election,seems to have a set of balls.

Comparing our country to Spain,France? Joke.
AA when he had 40+bn surplus,AAA when we were 40bn+ deficit am I the only one who sees this does not make sense?

If we'd got Howard/Costello instead of that idiot Rudd we'd have had an ETS a long time ago.

Turnbull would have done just fine during the GFC, he had his own comprehensive stimulus package.

Originally Posted by Ziggy Stardust

If we'd got Howard/Costello instead of that idiot Rudd we'd have had an ETS a long time ago.

Turnbull would have done just fine during the GFC, he had his own comprehensive stimulus package.

We would still be under Work choices too wouldn't we???

We will never know that but wasn't Turnbull plan tax cuts;the more you earn the bigger the tax cut.. What we do know is that Rudd's plan was a great one and worked.

Originally Posted by Karate_Tommy

We would still be under Work choices too wouldn't we???

We will never know that but wasn't Turnbull plan tax cuts;the more you earn the bigger the tax cut.. What we do know is that Rudd's plan was a great one and worked.

Work choices would have undergone a lot of reform. Rudd and Swan did just fine during the GFC, there is no reason to suggest that Turnbull, Howard or Costello would have not done equally as well, they're all very capable.

Yes we did what we had to, regardless of what party it was. Some would say that the implementation was poor, and to a point it was, however time was a crucial ally that the Rudd government did not have, nor would the Libs. They would of suffered at the implementation phase as well,IMO. Who knows perhaps the Libs may of procrastinated over the implementation because of their fiscal compulsions, whereas the ALP have always jumped in boots and all, with a fix it as we go mentality. So perhaps we were lucky Rudd had the steering wheel. We will never know.

Originally Posted by garry17

How about the Northen rail link?

I'll pay that.

Originally Posted by garry17

AND as for Transport and hospitals, what have they done to make them better? Nothing.

50% extra funding for hospitals.......1000's new nurses and around the same for GP's if not more. Road works galore happening throughout nsw and qld, all thanks to the current government.

Originally Posted by garry17

However, The only improvement I could imagine the Coalition doing during the crisis, is reduce the waste of the stimulus package, thus providing more resources for further stimulus. Respectively, the Coalition did expect to spend on infrastructure, BUT what infrastructure?

The thing is garry, is that the howard govenment had ample money and opporunity to address the state of hospitals, roads, schools etc etc, but chose to sit on it. Why drive around in a rusty old car that is blowing smoke and is on its last legs, when you are spruiking off about savings.

The way Abbott spoke about the stimulus you would think his reaction to it would have been austerity measures.

Originally Posted by garry17

Labor has put themselves in a tight situation, should the EU problem continue to rock the boat, Labor has limited it's ability to react with the same fervour as they did with the first. I would suggest, this is because they wasted too much with the first package, in haste to roll it out.

They were essentials that needed to be addressed sooner rather than later, the GFC forced their hand a bit quicker. There was an over exageration regarding the waste anyway, but again the loud roar of the negative nutter wins again.

Vigilante hospitals, schools and roads ( other than highways ) are state issues. Rudd wanted health to be federal, and schools are heading that way but, and I could be wrong, this would have had nothing to do with Howard directly, as during most of his tenure Labor controlled most states.

Originally Posted by truthvigilante

50% extra funding for hospitals.......1000's new nurses and around the same for GP's if not more. Road works galore happening throughout nsw and qld, all thanks to the current government.

Really 50% more funding? According to the http://researchaustralia.org/Publica...INAL_19_07.pdf research health funding has been dropped. the facts and figures are held within. and from the government from 2008-09 $54,049.2m to 2011-12 71,770.9m A total increase of 17721.7m which is not a 50% increase and in real terms far less than you think.

figures are from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...1-introduction

fact is, the federal government although proclaiming they have increased all these things for the betterment of health, have failed as much as the states. Time is for better policy, not just adding bandaids to an already major problem.

Originally Posted by truthvigilante

The thing is garry, is that the howard govenment had ample money and opporunity to address the state of hospitals, roads, schools etc etc, but chose to sit on it. Why drive around in a rusty old car that is blowing smoke and is on its last legs, when you are spruiking off about savings.

Well, that is a very good point. This very fact, and that Howard government seemed to only put a half arsed effort into re-election, leads me to believe that Howard knew this was coming and that whatever party was in charge would do very badly out of the outcome.

Originally Posted by truthvigilante

The way Abbott spoke about the stimulus you would think his reaction to it would have been austerity measures.

Fact is, to make Australia competitive on s global market, Austerity measures might be the answer. But that is speculation and I do not think that any union, government or institution would be in favour of that.

However, Abbott was not the leader of the opposition at the time stimulus was flying about, remember.

Originally Posted by truthvigilante

They were essentials that needed to be addressed sooner rather than later, the GFC forced their hand a bit quicker. There was an over exageration regarding the waste anyway, but again the loud roar of the negative nutter wins again.

What? exaggeration of waste? No, there was much mismanagement, that is no exaggeration. The fact that a majority of the stimulus was good, Rudd ignoring ministers of his own party recommendations, and simply just pushing more money toward a great sink hole, is no exaggeration.