LiveTribe

purpleboo1

I saw Tony Abbott being interviewed about his comment 'Shit happens' about one of our soldiers being killed in Afghanistan. The interviewer asked him why he said that. Tony didn't answer and his head was wobbling with his mouth open. He was asked several times to comment.  Now, I don't know if this was real as the media can manipulate videos, photos and comments taken out of context. I am not impressed if it's true. I am reading both parties policies first before I decide.  There are a few big issues this election that I feel strongly about like boat people as opposed to genuine refugees ( we can't afford them), immigration, the environment, coal seam gas ( don't want it) fossil fuels ( they are destroying our climate) and saving our oceans (without which we die). I am not impressed that Tony wants to suspend marine parks and have signed a petition against it. Kevin has also made some bad mistakes. I definitely won't give a preference vote and will fill in all the parties (108 of them). We have to know how our Government works and being laizez-faire about it won't work for us as a nation.

Wendiau

Key Isssues...Great Topic.... Our grandparents would roll over in their graves if they saw "OUR" Australia being SOLD Off.....Why did Our Soldiers Fight for us? So we could have freedom of speech... Live in the "Lucky" country.... and have a Country we are proud of. Well Im not sure any of these have been met as of yet. These are the Issues I would like answered.... 1..How dare our Gov't sell what is not theirs to sell..... 2..How dare our Gov't pay other countries before Our country  3..How dare our Gov't give up on what is Australian..... I am Australian and very proud..I am sick and tired having to "bow" down to other Cultures thats DON'T make this Country their Country, and don't want to Fit In... I want my Grand kids to grow up in a Country we knew when we were kids.... The Australian Culture is dying.. and no one gives a damn.... Any Other Country is proud of their Culture..Shouldn't we Be ?? Thats my Rant x 

banjosmum

Something needs to be done about Energy Companies, I have paid approx $800 to both my gas & electricity providers & I have had a gutsful. I tried to phone and ask for an explanation but after an hour on the phone and not getting thru. I wondered what the point was. I phoned again and this time there was a message if you recieved a bill saying it was overdue we dont know how it has happened but we are looking into it. So I go on their website and it tells me I havent paid my accounts... gees someones head is going to roll. Also the congestion on our roads is downright an abortion and im guessing it is happening in all capital cities and beyond. After Labor has already squandered our money on unnecessary trivialities I guess you and I the dutiful taxpayers will be left to foot the bill

Golden-Orange

I WON'T BE VOTING FOR EITHER PARTIES I ASSURE YOU - I AM INFLUENCED BY CLIVE PALMER. LISTENING TO HIS dvd WHICH WAS SENT TO MY MAILBOX I AM IMPRESSED WITH WHAT HE HAS TO SAY. I THOUGHT AT FIRST 'WHAT WOULD THAT RICH GUY KNOW ABOUT US ORDINARY PEOPLE' BUT I HAVE TO SAY HIS POLICIES HAVE INFLUENCED ME & HE CAN'T BE BRIBED NO ONE WOULD HAVE ENOUGHT MONEY TO BUY HIM. 

The Gardener

I've just read through the comments for the first time. There are too many things I could comment on, so I'll just list a couple of my thoughts and concerns. 1. I will not vote for the Coalition because of the stupid, unfair, and unnecessary Parental Leave scheme. 2. I cannot vote for Labor because they have lost so many good members through all their internal wrangling. 3. I wonder why both major parties are so insistent that they will not change the GST. I see it as the simplest and fairest way, as long as it is not put on food, to tackle the deficit, because it ensures that the richest people will pay the most. 4. I do not fear a hung parliament. In fact I would love to see 4 or 5 major parties in parliament, so that we have a broader range of views presented in any debate. Even further, I believe that every MP should be free to vote as s/he sees it on every bill. Then we would know what our MP stands for and we would be closer to a real democracy. Do the maths. Assume a parliament of 100 MPs, with Party X in power with 52 MPs and Party Y in opposition with 48 MPs. In the party room vote on Bill Z, 30 of Party X's MPs vote for it and it then goes to the parliament and is voted through. But if the 48 MPs from Party Y also didn't like the Bill, in fact something opposed by 70% of MPs is legislated. Two huge positives from my proposal is that it would put an end to the mindless parroting of the party line we see now, and hopefully rule out the media's constant beat-up of the slightest disagreement amongst the members of one party as disastrous disunity.  

bobbie2171

I will be voting National this time.  I voted Independant last and look what we got and I will never to that again!!! What scares me is that people will vote similar to last time and will have another hung parliment again and I do not want that.  As for Labor, when and if it ever go back to the grassroot of the orginal Labor Party and why it was founded, I may consider voting for them.  Until this happens no way.  They need to have a big clean out and stop bringing back past has beens and have a heap of fresh faces with fresh ideas.

fisherman

Do not trust Abbott at all, and Rudd appears to be a bit self sufficient, but leaders do not have all the say. Power changes too many people, so their original aims and idealism do not always last, but at least the Labor aims are for fairness and social equity, while Liberal aims are for free commerce, which it is becoming increasingly apparrent is not sustainable and creates inequality.

webster

I am an atheisst,but I have more respect and concern for asylum seekers than either major party leaders,bothof who claim to be "Christian".

Sylv16

What you need to address is which polices best fit your needs, education, health, transport, boat people policies together with job generation and protection as well job stability and fair and safe work practices. How these issues and the Economy. If either political party after declaring their policies address your wants and needs as well as your family's vote for them. I know who I am voting for as I need a stable government with stable and well thought out policies that have benefits to my situation and that of my grown up family.

andieharrie

Reading the forum it is interesting to see that the public are confused and unsure about the policies is that because neither major party has given us anything.  Instead they attack each other.  This s the first election that I don't know hero to vote for, Kevin the spoilt child who threw tantrums till he got his own way and back as leader, causing all sorts of in fighting. Or tony who has no people skills is a terrible public speaker and won't give any policy or costing till a few days before election.     So we vote for the party not the leader but if the leader is weak or nasty yet his will filter down.  Give me something a policy not just on asylum seekers and an unworkable gonski, at least palmer is telling us something and whose to say that a billionaire may just have some idea of finances.    Getting rid of carbon tax won't sane me anything because now the electrical companies have increased their prices making record profits do I think they will reduce those costa again NO way.... i'm confused and no one will tell us anything even worse both parties have a history of lies so how do I believe anything they say. rant over I could go on for days, but still have in idea who to vote for - guess they got 5 days to convince me.

Rayser

I steering the RUDDer with Kevin. Go Labor

edhe

I think it is time for a change  we need a shake up of the way the country is governed

isus

Yes we need a total change of leadership. I will be voting for Palmer after reading his policy. less tax, more money for pensioners, etc we just need the rest of Australia to wake up and put another party that is going to help the people. I would like to see another party elect before i die. After reading what Palmer will do i will be heaps better of than i have ever been and so will the rest of my family. So Vote all you Australians that always vote Labour or Liberal get the dickheads out and put someone who cares for the people in. Liberal and labour are only in politics to feather their own nests and walk away with a great pension that they can do anything with. While the rest of us suffer. If it dosnt work wel there will always be elections to put them back into power.  

888shelley

I cannot bring myself to vote for Tony Rabbott!  He is totally ignorant and devoid of common manners,  His policies seem to consist of a wait and see what we will do when elected and don't worry about the costings.  This is not good enough as we need to know exactly what will be cut if he is elected.  The other day when campaigning on the Gold Coast he told a group of fishermen that he would "suspend" all the new marine parks which I have not seen reported on national news, so how many other tonyisms have not been reported?  His paid parental scheme is over the top, six months on full pay is way too long, these women who wish to work by their own choice need to decide what is more important to them a job(where they may be put off) or their baby( a lifetime commitment), give them 3 months and that's it! Carbon price has little effect on most people who conserve their energy use while bringing revenue to the government and helping the environment . NBN replaced with copper which will need constant maintenance and much slower than Labor's.There are so many more areas that will suffer under the Libs all uncosted and unknown!   LABOR for me!!           libs

petron

888shelley.  I dont know how you could possibly want another 3 years of labor.

edhe

I agree it is time for a change

petron

How can we possibly have 44% of respondents that would consider voting for krudd and his incompetent cronies.  The fact that you show labor in front of the Liberal Coalition Party does not say much for the integrity of the Australian voting public.  Honestly, a vote for more of the same disasterous government we have had to endure for the last 6 years.  Enough is enough.  The only good thing krudd has done is bring forward the election date so that we can get rid of the F**kwits.

Michael123

Sept 1 2013.   Pity my reply and facts from my experiences did not get thru. It came up Page Not Found and my message seems to have been lost now. Not happy Jan. I have lost money under Labor when Gillard tried to stop Carers' Bonuses and shamed into putting it back but took $400 of it for each of the last three years. There was more but I spent too much time on it to redo.   Michael123

musicveg

There are many other parties you can vote for,and if we get enough people voting for other parties than Tony Abbot will not have full control over the senate which will be very scary. To learn more about voting check out; ClueyVoter, Senate.io & BelowtheLine.org.au VOTE WISELY,KNOW WHAT YOU ARE VOTING FOR,Check out the Greens who care about people and the environment.

butterfly

I do not like preferential voting.  If you like a candidate that should be it.  Why do we have to pick a number 2 and 3 etc.  who are usually people I do not like.  This is rubbish.  

bobbie2171

Neither do I!! Should be able to vote for one Party and that is it.

musicveg

It is confusing but if you vote by the voting cards given out you may end up voting for someone you don't agree with,have a look at who the parties are giving preferences to and you may be surprised. Check out these websites to see how you would like to preference vote; ClueyVoter, Senate.io, BelowtheLine.org.au, you can practice and learn before you vote.

maureen57

OK, so weve gotta vote AGAIN, Who do we pick this time, being a long time Labor voter Ive had enough! Not saying Im going to vote liberal....Tony Abbott...NO THANKS,.. I am looking at other alternatives to just labor or liberal, with all the crap in politics these days why not!

Rockmom

I don't like the way Liberals want to  take money away from single parents, including the school kids bonus. How are they supposed to manage? I went to a Palmer United meeting recently-liked what I heard-joining them. Don't like Libs or Labour!

estcove

The voting preferences of Live Tribe members is an interesting insight into the demographic. The Coalition is headed for a major victory as evidenced by the Bookies odds. Today they are: Coalition $1.02, Labor $12.50. I have never seen such a clear result indicator for an Australian election.

Rosie125

Neil I. while your are basically correct in saying we vote for the party, not the Prime Minister, isn't it correct that we always know who the candidates for that office are? And is it not true that the polls also keep track of their popularity and people's preferred Prime Minister? But my main gripe is voters who waste the opportunity to be counted by either just getting their names marked of and voting informal or (as seen above) not bothering to vote at all. Oh, and add to them those who say "I always vote for such and such a party". That is just like following a footy team but, in politics, makes no sense. Look at the damage Labor has wreaked over the last 6 years. It's beyond me how so many can say "Yes, I want more of the same". They might deserve what they get but it is the rest of us who become inflicted as well if Labor is successful. Still, one thing to give thanks for, the advertising with all it's lies, misinformation etc is blacked out from next Wednesday! You beauty!!

Neil.l

Let's not forget that we are not a republic and don't vote for the leader, we vote for our local member and the party that wins the most seats then gets invited to form government. The members of that party then elect the leader who becomes Prime Minister. In the case of wanting to send a message to the major parties that you are not happy, you should vote for the candidate whose views most closely represent yours with your main preference 2nd or 3rd, this way under the preferential system, your prefered party may get in, but a message is then sent to that party that people are not happy with them. I should also point out that by continually just voting for one major party or the other all you do is maintain the status quo and no real change takes place. My electorate is one of the safest Liberal seats in the country and so as there is no contest, then both major parties ignore us as far as funding is concerned. What is needed is for all these safe seats to become marginal so that those seats then have more of a say in running the country. We need our local members to support their electorates wishes and not just vote the way their party tells them, that way our country will truely move ahead and the majorities wishes will be heard, not just the few.  It is also worth remembering that there is a lot of disinformation being put out there by the comercial media as well as the major parties and email chain letters. Ask yourself the question, how does this effect me in my local area. Let's all get in and really change our government for the better, exercise your vote in your local electorate and send a true message to the politicians that it is time for true change and that we are not happy with maintaining the status quo. Lets look at what represents the best outcome for our electorate and then the best for the country!!

Kathy

I will not vote for LABOR because they are not going to act against DOCs to stop them stealing our Children and the Perents and Grand Perents and Aunts & Uncles and they tell lies about us and we can't defend our selves of the lies DOCS say about you because we don't have the money like the goverment has as DOCS is part of the goverment and we don't have the money to fight them I don't like the Wimps that are the leagers in now Don't like RUDD he is a wimp

Neil.l

I feel soory for your situation and hope that you get some resolution soon. Maybe this is an issue which should be raised with your local member whoever they are because cuts to the public service will make matters here worse as these are the areas which will be affected. At least Labour has a social conscience, The Coalition will just Cut the public service to balance the books and people in your situation will again fall through the cracks. DOCS and other similar public departments need to have their thinking revised and this will only happen if we all stand up and voice our opinions, not just sit back and take it.

drainpipe

i have not voted for 19 yrs, i had a stack of fines just sitting there and i refused to pay them on the grounds that that most of these polies take the aussie approach of WHATS IN IT FOR ME, a man came to my door and presented all my fines to me, i said to him just wait a minute mate and i went inside and stuffed some cloths in a bag and said to him lets go, he replied WHERE i told him im not paying the fines so u can take me in and while ime away u can feed my family and bill while ime away, mr smart bum went to his car and i seen talkn to someone on a mobile the size of a brick and then he came back to me and said, I AM SORRY FOR THE INCONVEINCE WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION, SO POLIES SUCK MY SHLONGER

Rayser

What a discusting individual you are, I suppose you call yourself an Australian?

Neil.l

By not voting, you can't honestly complain about the state of the country as your lack of response means that you couldn't be bothered to express your beliefs. If everyone did that then we would end up with instabiliy of government and possibly a dictatorship. Is that what you truely want?

Chillimoon

Personally, I don't feel as though we ever have a real choice - Libs or Labor, chuck in the odd Green of Independent and voila, same old load of people who are generally self serving who never listen to the people who employ them. I have read many of the comments here and I for one am a single parent who works full time. I have certian medical issues for which I require medication - can't afford half of them, my rent never goes down no matter how many times interest rates drop, I am earning less than I was seven years ago and am barely making ends meet. I often wonder why I work as I would rather be home with my daughter.  As stated by another contributor, we need to look at supporting those who live at the bottom of the ladder and stop propping up those who already rake enough dollars to survive on their own. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a handout, but a decent living would certainly help. Why should I work & be away from home whilst my daughter spends every afternoon at home alone along with every school break - something has to give.  Why is Abbott wanting to pay women who earn $150K half of their salary to stay home when they pop out a baby???? If you earn that much, you sure as heck do not need a handout. Sure, keep the superannuation flowing, but no payments for those who are already financially able to support themselves. Stop preferential voting - it's wrong - it changes the whole demographic & reeks of jobs for the boys. Get rid of state government - absolute waste of money - we are so overgoverned - get rid of half the government & see what savings we can make. None of us are ver going to agree on all the issues however it's time government listened to those issues - I for one couldn't care less about stopping the boats or the deficit - talk to me about the real problems that face this country, the ones the citizens deal with on a daily basis, then I may sit up & listen.

Rossiter

Posted Aug 5! No wonder your poll results are way out of sync with what local pollsters are reporting! Bevan.

baxter

Gillard started out with the big untruth about carbon tax. She will never be forgiven for it but the Labor Party has now taking up the smear and untruth as a hallmark of their campaign. Rudd will not change he is a media manipulating wonder kid best known as "Blunderzip the Magnificent" - a  would be International Star for whom the Australian stage is not big enough. Can we afford his airfares? No! In four weeks these exceded a million dollars. Australia needs a solid Majority Government and anyone casting a dissatisfaction vote for Indepemdents or the mixed up pie in the sky uncompormising Greens will damage our chances of economic stability. The botched together Labor/Green governments both in Canberra and here is Tasmania have porved that the marriage was forced to retain power by Labor and to get some otherwise impossible sway by the Greens. They have been disastrous.  Labor needs a long rest to refind its values and the Greens are alkready on the same path previouslt followed by the so-called Democrats. Failed and pointless over the top absurdities.  Austyral;ia must now have a Liberal government, they have a porven track record and a solid team. Those who believe the scare mongering oif the present Federal government ought to get help. The lies and distortions of Labor's desperation indicates that they have lost their way. See Rudd for what he is a gifted Peter Pan child who is nothing but an over self-opinionatred brat whose genius is alreadty fading. He is not and nver will be a consultative anything.

Neil.l

The thing many don't realise is that under the Minority Government, more good legislation was passed than at any other time in Australia's history. This happened because both sides were held to account and had to negotiate with the cross benches to achieve concensus which is the way parliment is supposed to work. I for one have a real issue with our elected representitives voting the way the party tells them to and as a result, if any one party has a clear majority in both houses then we end up in a stituation where what is passed is in the best interests of certain groups and not the whole.  

matalla

What Labour & Liberals should strive for: stable, happy & sustainable population level steady state sophisticated & clean economy guaranted work for everyone who wants it fast, fair & reasonable unicameral parliamant free tertiary education, free text books, free pre & after-school care , equal funds for students and more  

CILLY0

Forget the leaders and vote for the policies, and vote for your local politician - the one you believe will represent what you believe is right for your area. Read what you ;local representative has to say, and then decide whether you believe whay he says. Then VOTE. The debates are only between the leaders and who cares who wins or loses? Your local representative is who will look out for you, not the leaders.

DDTT

One thing that really irks me is the fact that retired polticians still get free travel etc. The only time they should be entitiled to that is if they go to represent the Govt at a function etc. Another is that they should not be allowed to use the super. fund if they re-join the work force in any way. I would love to know if they pay tax on it before the regulated legal age we others have to abide by. An ex-workmate of mine had great difficulty accessing his early even though he had proof that he had terminal cancer and that he had run out of sick leave, holiday leave etc. He wanted to take care of his house payments etc. so his family didn't have to wait for probate to be finalized weeks after he passed away. Another staff member actually got permission from management and took up a collection to help him out in the interim. It should not have been necessary but we would have done it anyway for the right reason, not just for his family to survive after his passing. Why should pollies be amongst the exeception to the rules. I don't know whether or not it still happens, but their alcohol they drank with meals etc. in Parliament House used to susbidised so the taypayer probably paid for that too.

mrs l

i am on dsp too.just a thought,why can't they set us up with a work from home thing like i see on tv and internet.i can't be around people but i can try to learn to use the computer but who has the money to get started.and how do i know who to vote for,neither of them actually gave a straight answer tonight

Gustjonah

I will vote ALP. For ideologocal reasons: but also Abbott is an unpleasant and stupid person - Rudd is not much (if any) better but at least he is ALP and has a decent and capable team with him (eg Bowen - who hopefully will become leader in the not too distant future).

bobbie2171

Bowen?  You must have rocks in your head!!!  He is alot worse than Abbott!!!  I really hope he doesn't win he's seat!!!  ALP decent & capable team?  Like to know how many have any experience in the private business sector - very few I reckon.  Most are Lawyers, Unionst and ex Government Workers.  Bowen in Treasury,   he hasn't a clue the poor fellow!~!!  Wayne Swan as even better. At least the LNP are more business minded and have business experience and most of all united.  The Labor Party will never be untied while ever Rudd is in the Labor Party.

bobbie2171

1 - The Cost of Living, Australia is a rich country and should have many opportunities for all to have a fair income.  We have one of the highest house prices in the world, electricity prices, fuel prices, etc, etc.  2  Why are we being sold out to foreign companies that do not contribute to Australia, particularly agriculture. 3  Why are politicians allowed to have big superannuations and still work?  It should be same as everyone else - asset/income tested. Any income over $100 000.00 per year no handouts from Taxpayers. 4  All Taxpayers money to be accountable for. 5  Taxpayers have more say in where their money is going to be allocated by referendum. 6  Getting priorties right, spend money on the important things first, health, transport, employment and education, get these fixed up and the rest follows! 6   Change of Election system.  No preference, or only one preference.  Vote like they bet for a horse! (I have never been to a TAB/lotto so going on discription) You get a instant result and save cost of all the paper elections. Referendums could be done this way too, than it would make it more efficient and cost effective 7  Allow people to immigrate to Australia that are willing to work and pay their way. They must learn the English language.  What they get free be made to pay back using something similar to a hex fee/loan.   It shouldn't be just the illegal boat people allowed to stay here there are many others in more desparate need of a safe country and are wiling to work and pay their own way.  This also goes for  English speaking people, they too should be able to be here in Australia. Just because  they are from say England they should not be discriminated against. This is a few but the list could go on.              &n bsp;            &nbs p;                           &n bsp;            &nbs p;                           &n bsp;    

andieharrie

Great post - I'll vote for you....lol 

tonythefly

Kevin Rudd has been my local member for many years and is a good family man with high values and morals and is a great local member

mishiee56

What a shame he doesn't put that good local member into Leading our country!!

jj2010

I believe Australian politicians have forgotten how to be empathetic towards the people they serve. They seem to think they are some how higher in stature than the average Australian because we voted them in. I'd like to hear the speak about crime, young children creating havoc on our streets. Better services for the elderly, stop electricity and petrol going the roof and most importantly step down off the pedestal and be humble. It is a privelege to be voted in not a given. most Australians are over this saga that goes on until the election day. My vote will be decided on the day and solely based on how I feel that day!

stude

it  seems  you  cant  trust  any   politics  today

DDTT

No, they all go back on their promises. If there is a change of Govt. the excuse will be that the finances were worse that they were led to believe.

Silverkyt

The political news of today paints a very gloomy picture of politics ,who do we trust and are those comments made by either party honest or are they simply trying to pull the wool over our eyes. The general public is totally fed up with certain aspects of the Labour Party and as for the Liberal,Nationals they could be better or worse as yet an untold story under Abbott. If it wasn't a question of you have to vote and make that vote count I don't think many people would vote. There is the issue of not going to vote and being fined and that means one is worse off so grudgingly we go along and cast a vote to see it through till the next time and hope we have chosen the best party.

Jeanette

I have my veiw on politics biggest problem for me is I don.t like Tony Abbot if liberal had another leader I would think about voting for them.I dont think Labor bringing back Rudd was a good choice if they had to get rid of Juliea why not start fresh.

fly-high

Neither Rudd nor Beattie are looking too good at the moment eh?  Is this supposed to be 'The New Way'?  Looks to me more like 'The Old Way' with Bob Carr and Beattie.  Wish you would all look at Tania Plebersek's reaction in Parliament when Rudd strode in after winning back the top job!  She was far from pleased but then she and the other female members who went for him didn't have the decency to do what the male members who opposed him and had the decency to resign.  The females are all hypocrites!  Don't forget all the wonderful 'supportive' remarks about him that were splashed across Australia - this is 'supposed' to be a 'united' (I suggest 'disunited') team.  I thought we are supposed to be electing a STABLE government.  No such luck with the same faces appearing - at lease the Liberals haven't had this instability in their team.

Green Spaceman

Health, education, infrastructure and the rising cost of living in that order. The cost of gas, electricity and water are so high these days it could almost be considered a luxury to heat a home through the winter or to spend an extra couple of minutes in the shower. These are basic needs that should be available to everybody at a more reasonable rate. The cost of good food...that is nutritious and fresh food is also a concern especially in this era of diet related illness.

DDTT

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I didn't use my airconditioning as much last Summer (and I was away for 2 weeks during that time) but my power bill was still considerably higher than the previous year.  The supply charges for all utilities have risen considerably. Now that I am on my own, my supply charge on my gas account is a lot more than my usage.  Food prices don't rise just a few cents at a time, one item is like to jump over $1.00  Wages and Pension payments are not keeping up. Fresh food has become very expensive even in season, even the stuff that is imported that I won't touch. Even when we were able to grow some of our own vegetables it was still a struggle at times. Neither of us smoke, drink or gamble or it would have been more than just a struggle. I have seen family life ruined by excessive indulgences.  We go out very little too, mostly using public transport.

Mocktail

Clive Palmer is starting to look better and better every day all the rest are selfservers I think we should give him a go.

romababy

people need to wake up,as much as kevin rudd was ousted from the pm position by julia gillard,tony abbott is from a ousted previous govt under john howard.sorry but no matter i much i listen media polls,abbott,joe hockey and what ever else i just cannot vote for the coaltion.their whole history is about supporting the rich to be richer and the poor to be poorer.there is nothing i have heard from tony abbott that makes me feel i could actually trust him after his previous office in govt with howard.if people want abbott as pm,then they want the return of work choices,which not a choice it is a bosses choice if you have a job or not under a lousy contract that can see you unemployed at anytime.and also a non public health system which only people like abbott can afford

Jasmine

I totally agree romababy! I hope Abbott loses but if he wins we will be reading all the people who voted him in's sob stories when they are jobless.

boy from the bush

Why should our politics be based on party run lines the member for parliament should represent there area not a party and should live in the area they represent. there should be more individuals in parliment not party people

Peter

Boats arriving in Australian territory ! Better treatment of native peoples ! More help for Cambodia !

mishiee56

I just watched the debate on T.V. In my opinion neither one of the was a winner or a loser. It won't really matter who becomes the next Leader of the country, not every one will be happy, and that's a fact. Cheers Mishiee.

beloved3852

I would want to hear about their plans for health especially public hospitals. Kevin Rudd certainly has the talk but will he deliver his promises and how will he deliver them. Hi party seems unstable with 2 labour candidate's resigning this weekend! Tony Abbot doesn't even know his candidate's in Tasmania .He seems to use other members of his party to do the talking. We have small parties who will try to get the vote but where are they going to get their money from? Im very worried about Australia's future .I don't know who will I vote for .The debate tonight between Rudd and Abbott should be very interesting.

DDTT

We have haddamaged power points and light switches in one section of one of our public Hospitals  for several months but they won't repair/replace them because the section is earmarked for renovation ---but when will they actually do it.???   Recently a friend of mine was admitted to the same hospital overnight. There were 3 toilets in that ward and only one of them was in working order. There were 6 patients to a room...and several of them within the ward. One patient waited for a long time, couldn't stand for that long as she was so weak,  then got desperate and went and asked for a bed pan. She was taken back to bed and given a bed pan which overflowed.

bEcSar

Well the only reason Australia didn't go inti a Resection was because Kevin Rudd kept us out I f it he soukdnt have been past over in the first place . I believe mr Rud has the best interests of our country in mind and has some very good ideas for our country. I think Abot is only going to make the rich richer and the pore porer . Rudd all the way

Butterbly

The only reason we did not go into recession is because John Howard lest such a good economy for them to use

Anna

i also agee with you Buuterbly but in the end Mr Howard was getting on our nations nerves with being such good pals with that George Bush. We did not go into recession like the rest of the world, thanks to Kevin Rudd, not the Labour Party. VOTE Kevin Rudd, you can be guaranteed a fair go with Kev. He knows what it's like to struggle. He grew up poor, just like Paul Keating, another great Leader. Don;t ket Abbott fool the Australian voter. Do not trust him. He will stuff us up. Annie fom Melbourne Victoria

bull

well said, after seeing what newman has done in qld I would never vote LNP AGAIN,AND WHAT I HEAR IS ABBOTT HAS THE SAME POLICIES,so if we want Australia to be out of work and your house being repossessed vote for abbott,the main reason rudd was kicked out befor was that he is a work alcoholic and wanted his ministers to be the same they did not like that idea,the word is abbott will increase the GST AND PRIVATISE HOSPITALS WILL BE DISASTEROUS FOR AUST,RUDD FOR ME.

pinkf

I have read alot of the comments here I too are sick of hearing about the boats all the time, the polies dont care they havent lived like we all live by our means they dont have to worry about paying for the gas bill the power bill or the water bill or the food shopping plus rent ect, they all get a huge pension at the end I think they should have a good look at them selfs and see

pinkf

I dont like either of them, they are ALL LIARS big time would like to see one of the tell the truth for once

honey combe

I know which way I wont be voting & that's Labor. The way they've run the party & the country is embarrassing. Its not a game its serious. Our peoples future is at risk. I would like them to debate about helping our industries which are the backbone of this country. To become stronger so we can keep people in the workforce. Without these Industries the country goes downhill. Imagine no pension or centrelink payments. These payments do come from the taxpayers. Politicians need to get real & support these Industries. Im not sure who I will vote for. Maybe Bob Katter at this stage.

Butterbly

I agree my husband and many others have lost their jobs because of the mining tax, the labour has had 2 term as government to fix up things, so I am very happy to give the liberals a chance to,and if they don't do well then we can vote them out, but do remember the have such a big mess to fix up I take my hat off to them

Anna

Butterby are you out of your mind - Tony Abbott, he will really stuff us up. If he wins we lose. You must have a short memory - work choices, health, education. Who do you think introduced the school bonus to parents, how do most children have laptops in school - Labour. How many health workers are going to lose their jobs if Abbott gets in, and work choices. He is also thinking of upping up the GST. Don't vote Liberals they will really stuff up the ordinary Australians like you, me and Joe Blow Annie from Melbourne Victoria  

bobbie2171

Laptops in schools huh?  Well the one that we got for our kids were obselete before they were delivered!!!  They were not faster enough to run any of the programs that where  suppose to be used on them - Another white elephant and waste of taxpayers money. Plus the NBN, Fuel Watch, Pink Batts, School Building programs - schools getting things that they didn't need and this contractors being paid enough money to build triple the building work that they had done.   Oh, yeah thats right Rudd/Gillard was going to take over the hosiptals from the States, has that happened?  Rudd dud dud undid the illegal boat policy that LNP up into place and look at it now - what a mess.  Labor has had six years to prove to us as Australians that they can run the country but what have they got to show for it?  GST?  Why is everyone believing that rusbbish?  The Feds cannot change the GST unless all state governments agree!!!!  This is just another scare tactic of Ruddy, dud dud!!!! Annie, LNP may not be a great option but sure is a little better than Labor in it's current form.

petron

You obviously have no idea Annie.  Or have not lived a long life.

Jasmine

Well said! 

BRING.IT.ON.DIGGA

super88

I've got an opinion about who I'm voting against. I am not really in favour of any particular party. I could be swayed by a bit strait talk. I listened to the comments about dropping interest rates. Labour tells us it's great news for everyone, liberals emphasise it is a result of a declining Australian economy. The truth is somewhere in the middle, but they only want us to see a select portion of the argument. I recall an American politician talking about how to sway public opinion and think our political leaders heard the same comments and have adopted them as their own. He said "I talk to the public as if I am talking to a twelve year old " (No offence to twelve year olds intended, they could probably teach our political leaders a few things)

bobbie2171

Look at the other countries around the world with low interest rates and see how they are travelling.  When you do this it doesn't abode well for Australia.  We are  now one of the highest borrowing and spending countries, it all must be paid back one day.  LNP left it in surplus, they did it by selling everything off, which to me is a good thing. Labor has now a massive debt which is going to get harder and harder to repay. Just like you and me, if we have a debt that is getting out of hand we need to tighten the belt - this is the same as Governments.  People won't like it, like Newman Campbell and Barry O'Farrell but what option have you got?  Either get tough and run as a proper business model or go bankrupt and everyone will go down the gurgler!!  I have no doubt about Australia going into a recession depending who gets in, whether it is sooner or later.

fly-high

Kevin Rudd has hired three Americans for his campaign super88 - he's not doing a very good job yet - maybe the Americans don't understand Australians so he's wasted his money - surely he could have hired some more Australians along with his two sons and daughter?

pupuye

pension increase as all services going up and not enough money to pay, better roads to ease traffic congestion, I hate politics as politiceans make promises but don't deliver. They should support the pour and homeless first before giving charities at other countries. Government pay the boat people from our taxes. Boatpeople come by the hundreds each week and the government should demand them to pay back all the expenses they receive.

little kitty

WASTING MONEY This current government has got Australia in debt to the tune of 30 billion dollars. Fearless leader says this is ok by world standards. Who cares about world standards. Somehow or rather this debt has to be paid. The current government just spends,spends,spends. Then they look for new sources to tax, tax tax. The medicare levy was never going to be above 1% now it is 2%. GST was going to substantially lower personal income tax. Now they want to tax fruit and vegetables. Fearless leader has now dreamed up a tax that even I didn't think possible. He now wants to tax savings accounts. It won't be long before he will want to tax superannuation on the amount you have in super. So let's have a debate on how to cut government spending and eliminate waste. (Start by looking at the "pigs at a trough" mentality of politicians.) BOAT PEOPLE. Australia is a lucky country. We are not warn torn. Most of us would be unaware of the luxury of living without fear and would be ignorant of the hell holes of countries that prefer to buy weapons rather that food. In short refugees see Australia as a land of milk and honey. Unfortunately non genuine refugees see Australia in the same way. Is Australia being invaded? Should we allow the boats enter Australian waters then take the people off the boat, sink the boat as enemy shipping, and treat the captain an crew as prisoners of war? The boat people would then be processed to weed out non genuine refugees who would then be sent back their county of origin. Let's have a debate on whether or not we are being invaded and should we sink the boats if they enter Australian waters. PUT AUSTRALIA FIRST. It's time Australians took a good look at itself and stopped kidding themselves that we are big world power up there with the big boys. The entire population of Australia could fit into just one of USA's cities with room to spare. How many Americans confuse Australia with Austria? How many Americans don't even care about Australia? So why do we spend $25 million dollars to have a temporary position on the United Nations Security Council? Was is worth all that money for Julia "Gone with the Wind" to tut tut when a certain northern hemisphere country flexed it muscle. Let's have a debate on why Australia spends so much money overseas when our nation's road system is deplorable, when our health system is in a shambles and why the government is hell bent on reducing every living soul to a government pension. MAGIC ACT Let's have an HONEST debate on how the 30 billion dollars can be turned into a REAL budget surplus. By honest I mean realistic ways that are based on cold hard achievable facts and not some magic act. Any accountant knows about creative accounting to make any business look good. What our treasurers need to do is forget about creative accounting and deal with real figures that will return a real surplus in a real amount of time. IS AUSTRALIA STUFFED. Perhaps this is the only issue I really would like all political parties to discuss. If only I could get a true answer from a politician. If I could be certain of an honest answer that would definitely influence my vote.

fly-high

You're a breath of fresh air, little kitty!!

sassy sybarite

Maybe you have a point about the Australian representation on the U.N.Security Council, but the rest is fear-mongering and hyperbole. Fact is many Australians, like you, do not want to share our wealth with the poor and displaced of the world, whose only fault is being born in the wrong place. You probably are not a republican so that means you're happy for people who win the birth lottery like the English royal family to live in extra-ordinary affluence, yet you begrudge basic living standards to many others. Australia can afford to take more people than we do. We are churlish and mean-spirited. Australia's shame! Remember America opened it's borders to the world's displaced for many years and went on to become the world's mightiest nation.

Jasmine

You make some really valid points. But I'd just like have to spend money to make money.

hello angel

I would like to hear Tony Abbots actual policies and how he is going to pay for them, what he is going to do with pensioners as heard he was taking money back from them, he should be barred from criticism and just get on with the job of letting us know his policies

bobbie2171

Yeah the last two elections Labor didn't let us know what he costing where till 24 hours proir the election.

fly-high

Oh dear hello angel - pensioners are not having money taken back from them - someone not quite being honest with you - do you really believe that ANY party would take money from pensioners???  Get real!  Seems to me there are mostly Labor (yes, no 'u' in Labor) minded people commenting on here - any Libs. out there to stick up for the other side???? 

GOF

Oh so true

www

If you dont mind your grandkids paying off the Labor borrowings...you dont mind the interest only bill each year is the equivalent to a new hospital plus staff and services in each state each year and thats not reducing the borrowed capital amount, If you want to have a Prime Minister who was dumped by his party because he was dysfunctional, self centred and couldnt organise a thing yet managed to begin this mountain of borrowings, chain of tax increases, increased unemployment ....well it seems obvious your voting for Rudd...

Jasmine

It was RUDD who kept Australia out of recession with Rudd money handouts...probably why we still have a AAA+ credit rating. Tony Abbott will only bring back work choices under another name, and privatise health...how many people will die because they can't afford health care when Abbott does that?

bobbie2171

Oh too by the way it is since the Rudd/Gillard & Co Government that I have had to drop health care because I could not afford it!!  I have worked casual for many years and it has been the last six years that I have struggled for work.  Many businesses, have closed down due to this Government.  with the extra taxes (carbon & MRRT, etc)  making harder for businesses to stay operating in Australia. They cannot compete with the cheap imports!  No I am not an Abbott fan but I rather have the LNP governing Australia than Labor.

bobbie2171

How did Ruddy dud dud keep us out of recession?  Because the Coalition has a surplus!!!!!!  If there was no surplus, Ruddy dud dud would not have been able to keep us out of the recession.  He/Gillard & co are spending like there is no tommorrow but we are all forgeting that money has to be paid back!!!   It is going to be alot harder now for the LNP sold everything to get us out of debt before, what is there now?  If you think times are hard now you are dreaming, sooner or later we are going to have a recession big time.  You cannot keep spending like this Government is doing and not have conquences.  If labor gets back in we will have it soone, rather than later.

LiveTribe Admin

To add another dimension to this conversation, we've just come across the Vote Compass being hosted on the ABC website: http://www.abc.net.au/votecompass/.It's an online tool that's been created by a non-profit group to survey voter attitudes in Australia, and consequently shows you where you fit in the Australian political landscape based on your answers to the questions. If nothing else, it seems to be a useful (if basic) overview of where each of the main parties stand on key policy areas. Has anyone tried it out yet?

Green Spaceman

Just completed the vote compass and was surprised to learn that I do in fact sit right in with the Greens despite the fact that I have voted both Labour and Liberal in the past. I would have picked myself as someone who sits closer to the middle but I guess age, life experience and the getting of wisdom has pushed me closer to the Green position. I will continue to swing at the polls however depending on what the big issues are at the time and whether we are voting for state or federal parties.

glenoak

Yes, just yesterday..turns out I "fit" very close to both Labor and Liberal. I thought I would definitely be more to the Labor. I am a bit on the Right Wing? Whatever that means. They say results are not rigid. But it was fun to fill it out.

Jasmine

This is the first I'd heard of it - so thank you. I will go and do it now. :)

sassy sybarite

We need to forget our personal needs and look at the bigger picture. Thanks to past Labor initiatives we have universal health care and support if we cannot support ourselves. Now we need to be sure we can keep these things and make them even better by overcoming the challenges that are to come like climate change and the competitive world economy. Are you willing to leave it to your avaricious fellow Australians to innovate any way they can as the Liberals will do by lowering taxes and letting the entrepreneurs have their way with minimal restrictions or would you rather see taxes go towards building world class infrastructure like the NBN and world class schools to make us a cleverer country?

Phillip

I think most important topics of choice would have to be education aswell as job security and enviromental issues in a whole lot of regards.Politics plays a the most important role of us all wherefore they need to consider a whole range of influence and deliver where needed in society therefore encouraging people to go ahead as needed to live positively.

Jasmine

I agree, however I think HEALTH should be right up there with education & employment...afterall you can't go to school/uni/work if you're extremely ill and in need of health care and there is none.

ToorookaDeb

I am not overly fond of the main parties but I cannot bring myself to support Abbott. He has already hinted that he would bring back "Work Choices" if they get elected & we know what a mess that turned out to be before. Also if he intends to go the American way with health we will never recover in this country. I don't agree with the Greens on their bleeding heart immigration ideas either. I live in a strong National seat & they have done nothing for our area either at a Federal or State level. There are so far no outstanding independents here so that is also out. This leaves me with the only option of Labour. I think if they could stop their internal faction fighting & get on with running the country , it just might achieve some of it's aims. Sad situation when you find yourself disgusted with all the politicians on offer.

fly-high

I think you've been listening to Mr. Shorten and Mr. Rudd telling 'porkies' again!  Not doing too well in the polls so they also are scaremongering!  NO "Work Choices" and Medicare is here to stay!  Don't believe all you hear and perhaps wait until all the policies are released??

CILLY0

Agree with you fly-high. But it's getting later in the electioneering - and I have been amazed at some of the recent things announced. NT will never have a good growing area to be the 'food-bowl' of the country - it keeps being wiped out with predators from way back when - Brisbane & Qld. cannot support the Navy - the great barrier reef is a problem here, and Ningaloo reef is a problem in north WA. What next will be announced?

mishiee56

One thing that does really bother me is a certain lady, who said there will be NO Carbon Tax in my Government. Guess what,She lied. So who is next on the lying list? When we were in the USA 2 yrs ago one of us cut our leg, just needed a few stitches. $8,000,plus. Thank god we had Insurance. They took every test on the planet, yet they will turn away an ill child. We do not want that kind of health system either, the old, pay up of else system!

mishiee56

Australian politics has always been a hot topic and always will be a hot topic. One of the main problems is that people vote for the person and how they look and whether they like them or not, instead of the whole party and who can bring the most and best offer to the table. I would really love to see and hear a debate between the two parties, but this will never happen. Neither leader wants to loose face, and lets face it there is a lot at stake here. The list of topics to debate is endless, welfare, transport, hospitals, schools, roads, housing, boat people, the elderly, drugs, I could keep going as I said it is endless. I know that I will vote for the party that has the best offer on the table and the best for me, as a voter. I think that, that is all that is expected of any voter, at this stage. Happy voting guy's. Cheers Mishiee.

CILLY0

Yes, I too will be voting for the party not the leader and like you for the party that has the best offer on the table for me and my family. We can't do better than taht for those who follow.

Jasmine

I'm not happy with neither Liberal nor Labor and was torn on which way I was going to vote until TODAY! Now that I know the Liberals are going to privatise our Health system - like America, I'm voting LABOR, LABOR, LABOR! Can you imagine taking your child to the hospital with a life threatening injury or disease only to be told - SORRY, we can't help you unless you have the CA$H first! Put humans before dollars people! We need MEDICARE!

Acushla

So Jasmine you are endorsing the Agony of Pain babies go through when they are aborted under ALP Policies. When I went to school we were taught foetus became babies when they were 8 days old when the heart starts beating. It is so sad that ALP voters do not want to believe this TRUTH.

musicveg

To see our health system be privatise will be horrific. People in the US are literally thrown back out on the street when they don't have private health cover. Watch Michael Moores film 'Sicko' and you will see him compare the US health system to those in other countries. It mind boggling.

CILLY0

I have found that that has been happening for the past 4 years. Each time I had to take my hubby to hospital, our credit card was swiped for cash before anyone saw him. Cash before any service at public and private hospitals. This under the Labor regime. Think again Jasmine.

fly-high

Sorry, Jasmine, don't know where you got that stupid information - Medicare is obviously here to stay.   I think you should contact the Liberal Party member to be assured that is not the case - somebody scaremongering!!!!

cingers

Well if that's true you've turned me off them too. I hadn't heard that I wanted to watch the debate Sunday but unfortunately had an accident and ended up in casuality all evening. Ironicly

gulf raider

Hello my fellow AUSTRALIANS,..........sounds familiar? Well at least Kevin doesn't pronounce it orstraleans....sorry Julia. Please all remember that this is the same Kevin that was ousted previously by his own party for being,arrogant,bad tempered(remember the poor airline hostess he brought to tears with his foul mouth and demeaning remarks)indeed not a very Christian trait Kevin. Most importantly this is the very same man who categorically on more than 1 occasion swore he would never challenge for the leadership of the party.??? is this integrity or honesty? Please consider this when considering you vote. Yes I will be voting for the labour party not Kevin Rudd, with any luck an aspiring new candidate will be elected and in time lead the party to and honour all that voted

Beth17

This is DEFINITELY a reason to vote Labor, I've heard too many horror stories about costs in the US, including some from Australian tourists.

BRING.IT.ON.DIGGA

JESUS MATE HAVENT YA SORTED IT YET.TO MANY CHIEFS AND NOT ENOUGH INDIANS.

Symphony

I'm sick of the endless spouting of "stop the boats", "get the economy into surplus" etc. The country can have a surplus when the majority of lower paid people and those on pensions have a surplus in their economy. I accept that these political issues are important but they are not the be all and end all of what's important in Australia right now. How about the politicians making a really meaningful contribution to the wealth of the country. The economy would be boosted IF the people had surplus cash to spend in the Australian economy. They can give themselves huge wage rises, what about improving the wages of lower paid workers, the finances of the underclass - those on age, disability pensions and those who are unemployed and expected to live on a pittance. If you boost the bottom end of society economically it has huge flow on effects for employment and economic growth, but Politicians aren't interested in that. They can't see that if you raise the bar economically for the economically challenged then they will be able to participate far more. The pension system has for far too long been a punitive system and not a support system. On that point, I'd love to see the government actually providing a real liveable pension to the disabled so that they can contribute through their expenditure. At present the disabled on pensions get a disgracefully small pension that actually punishes them for being disabled. They are paid an amount that is lower than what is considered the minimum wage. If they were paid more in their pensions they could stimulate the economy by spending money on big ticket items and other essentials. I can't even afford to buy a kettle right now! I have to budget so carefully due to costs associated with my disability that the NDIS probably won't even look at - when the NDIS eventually is rolled out for everyone ... or the everyone who "qualify" for the NDIS - and yet my pension is finite. I can't get any help from Centrelink even when I beg. But that's okay cos I'm disabled and probably don't matter. It's okay, I can live with my mother for the rest of my life cos I can't afford to move out. I can rely on others to get me places because I can't afford a car, can't afford to get it modified to help me, and couldn't afford the petrol even if by a miracle I could get one. So much for encouraging independence for the disabled. I'm so dashed dependent it is totally humiliating and soul destroying. Give me a chance to contribute to the best of my ability and I will, I have before, but right now I can't afford to cross the road, let alone participate in the joys of society. I'd love to see the politicians actually address the real economic needs of disability pensioners and pay a pension that actually allows us to participate fully in society. After all, perhaps if we were paid even the minimum wage we could afford to participate economically and that might stimulate job growth for others.... now that's a radical thought! Bet the politicians don't want to hear that!

DDTT

I heard of 2 brothers who both have macular degeneration and both have such poor eyesight that they can no longer work at all. The one that hasn't reached retirement age got the new assistance package, the other one who had just reached retirement age didn't. A neighbour of mine knows them. I wonder if the younger one will still get the new assistance plan when he reaches retirement age ??? There is only 1 year age difference. A petition has been sent off but I haven't heard the outcome yet.

ToorookaDeb

It is hard making ends meet on the Disability Pension but the Pollies don't care. We are disposable as far as most are concerned. It is very frustrating to become disabled & have to rely on others for things other take for granted. I can't even do my hobbies anymore so I understand your anger. My main medication has to be approved by the Dept. of Human Services so I am at the hands of the Minister as to whether I get this or not. Every six months I'm on tenterhooks waiting to see if my script will arrive.

Cranky sanki

If I had an alternative I wouldn't vote for either as both leaders seem untrustworthy and selfserving. What happened to serving the people as their representative. What about the wastage of public funds and why are supposedly independent public servants being made to serve polititians agendas rather than give Brave advice in the public interest. We need new leaders and a real examination of what tbey are doing with our monies.

JulieV

I totally agree with Sanki. What are these "so called" Polititians doing for the public, absolutly nothing. All we seem to be doing is paying out more and more for power, gas, petrol, etc etc. I can't see any of them worth voteing for to be honest with you.!!!

artichoke

I am a disgruntled ex-Labor Party Member. Rudd had everything going for him when he was first elected and has blown the lot. He has even made John Howard,who lost his seat,to be a long lost hero.

Neil.l

Please remember that we aren't yet a republic so we don't vote for the leader, our elected representitives vote for the leader and the majority leader becomes the Prime Minister. We only elect our local member and should consider our vote on our local issues and national issues as represented by our local member, we should notbase our decision on the leaders personality, as we have no say in them!

Jasmine

From: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/   Saturday's story (paywalled) was based on this paper by the IPA's Alan Moran which waspublished on Catallaxy Files, and told us that the Institute was recommending to Canberra $23.5 billion in cuts. These include cancelling the first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme; abolishing Fair Work and Safe Work Australia; almost halving the general research budget; cancelling all Commonwealth housing programs; eliminating foreign aid and the Human Rights Commission; slashing 23,500 public service jobs; abolishing agriculture, forestry and fisheries programs; and privatising the ABC and SBS. Let's be clear: the Coalition's brains trust thinks the targets of any incoming government should be, among others, ordinary workers, the disabled, researchers, those relying on housing assistance, and viewers of the public broadcasters. If you are in any of these categories, and missed the weekend's papers, watch out. Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb have plans for you and you won't like them. Of all the choices before Australians at the September 14 election, few could be clearer than this: attacks on workers and the disabled from the Liberal Party versus growth and jobs from Labor.

GOF

Agree, where are the politicians of stature, we have the choice of a wet dish rag or a wet sponge, neither have given the people real choice with policy, but are trying to win a popularity contest.