Is it time for a change in our Australian Government?

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Aussie

Very interesting to read the answers so far...how many of you remember just what it was to live under the last couple of Labor governments ?

I bet not any of you !

Well I not only lived under them but was stuck with the consequences of the years of economic ruin that they put this country through ! If you think you've got it bad now imagine housing interest rates at 17 % & commercial rates for businesses at 23% , unemployment rates into double figures & a totally air of despair over the WHOLE country !

Don't fall into the trap like we did with Whitlam ....after over 20 years of solid economic growth in this country , these idiots undid years of prosperity in one 3 year term !

John Howard may not be perfect but do you honestly think his opponent is ? Are you willing to gamble on the school prefect who stands for nothing against the leader who delivers? I'm not !

camsean73

Yes. In fact I think it was time a few years ago.
I think John Howard is a completely ruthless politician who stands for nothing and merely manipulates the greed and fear of the Australian people.

mamulechka

Yes, I'm reaaaaaaaally hoping for a change (lol although I have no clue when elections are this yr), but I don't like Howard.
Firstly, my financially hard life under him is even harder.
Secondly, I do not support the values he represents. To me, his values are not Australian -- where's the underdog, where's the fair go -- I mean, he isn't even laid back lol!
But his laws are ruthless when it comes to me. They advertised that they were raising childcare government assistance right? Well here's the truth: June 2006 they cut me off the special help I received from the government for daycare because the maximum length of the course studied can be a year (wtf can u find a course like that?!), and this yr they did raise government childcare benefit -- but what they didn't advertise is that all the centres were raising their fees by up to 1.5 times more...I mean, that's cheating, right?
I could go on forever. Unfair family law changes that discriminate against families where the dad's a complete deadbeat, workplace laws that leave single mothers in a lot of ****. The list goes on.
No, I think I'd rather vote for Rudd thanks.

thing55000

It's been time for a change for a long time, imo.

As to who should take over, that is really tough right now. Whoever does take over is in for a rough time, if the legacy of Howard's decade starts to impact on living conditions in this country. It will be a balancing act to keep things under control and the new leadership better have a steady hand on the tiller.

As for Howard, I don't like him one tiny bit, BUT I think he has done some good things.

His fiscal management in some areas has been innovative and forward thinking (superannuation and private health care, for eg), but in others we've seen the typical 'screw the poor' mentality of bygone days (e.g., billions in the bank while people can't get a hospital bed and nothing really done to address it, just more State-bashing *yawn*).

Being someone who is financially conservative and socially small 'l' liberal, I've got some respect for Costello as Treasurer, but not as a person, and for Howard as leader very little. They've used the wedge far too often, and unashamedly pushed the divisions in this country to breaking point. He's also introduced far reaching government interferences in people's private and personal affairs that are extraordinarily 'radical' for a 'Liberal'.

Yep, that wooshing sound is Billy McMahon's ears flapping as he spins.

Yet while they can talk up their religious convictions (a disturbing trend in this nation's political calendar, imo) and defend process intervention but regulation flouting by groups like the Exclusive Brethren, they use 'intervention' in Aboriginal communities as a political exercise and claim the high moral ground after doing NOTHING for a decade.

In short (because you'll be surprised to know I could go on and on and on ...), Howard has fostered a climate of fear and mistrust in this country, has worked deliberately to 'wedge' voters and pushed an agenda designed to sideline cultural developments while iconising and romanticising concepts and mythologies that have no bearing on people's lives.

He has also taken us down a track, internationally, that we cannot sustain for long, and which we leave us in an awkward situation when we withdraw, as we must.

Well, better leave it there for now ... Bet you're glad you asked, lolol ;-P

Cheers :-)

tentofield

It has been time for a change for a long time now. Little Lying Johnny has to go. He might not be our worst PM, he is certainly not the best but he is far and away the nastiest.

"...how many of you remember just what it was to live under the last couple of Labor governments ?"

I do. I also remember the interest rates at 23% when Howard was treasurer in the Fraser government. It was the sound economic policies of Keating that led to the strong economy that Howard inherited. Our current good times are thanks to Labor policies that kicked them off.

iansand9876

My personal theory is that we should be governed by a council of ex-Prime Ministers. After they leave office and lose the trammels of party allegiance and the need for re-election they seem to develop a breadth of vision and wisdom that incumbents lack. The only problem with this plan is finding a way to keep folk busy play-acting at being PM until they can become ex.

Aussie (below) cheerfully forgets the economic reforms of Hawke & Keating. Reforms that Howard knew were necessary, but, as treasurer under Fraser, did not have the courage to implement.

Mon_10

I decided how I would vote when my young son had to sign an AWA that gave him NO paid sick leave and the sack if he had an unpaid sick day with no medical certificate. Live in the rural sector and tried to get to see a doctor lately?..

girlsjustwannahavefun666

If this question was a poll, undoutedly Howard would be out this year.
I truley hope that people take their opions to the polling booth, because in past elections Howard has been down in the polls and then some how regains his position.
I really hope Australian get over this 'better the devil you know' mentality and hold polititions accountable for their actions.
So... YES we NEED a change.

islander

As an American, it is comforting to know that I (we) are not the only nation in this situation. I relocated out of the country this year, and am finding the same sentiment here in Bermuda as well. It seems as though the reins of world power has fallen into the hands of a group of self serving, self important, politicians. Compassion and fair play go a long way in my book, as does social, and political justness.
In my opinion, we need a just, equitable, and sustainable plan for the future, not a bunch of self serving money grabbers!
I am saddened to read of your discontent, as I respect your nation, and it's people. You may take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, and there is still time and means for change. Election time is nearly here.
We need our youth to step up, be heard, and vote!
I feel this is equally or more important in Muslim nations.
Enough already!

Elizabeth

Yes "It's Time", it wouldn't be a bad thing to re-use the old slogan. It worked well last time around. (Yes, I am old enough to remember the "It's Time" campaign.)

All I wonder is, what rubbish scare tactic is going to be sprung on us by the Liberal/National Coalition this time around.
We've had the children overboard episode etc, so what will the spin doctors conjure up this election. Surely the voters aren't gullible enough to be conned yet again.
I think John Howard will retire almost as soon as the votes are counted and finalised. Whether the government is returned or not. If he retains his seat, that is. That would mean one heck of a brawl in the Libs party room, because I don't think they (the Libs) like Peter Costello any better than the public do.

moo_the_conqueror

Yes it is. Sack John Howard and the Liberals next election

Krissie

Howard...... going....Going.........GONE!!!!!!
Lets hope so anyhow. G.S.T, Workplace Reform, etc. I know I'm not better off now under this govt.

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