Prev
Next

Kevin Rudd, master of understatement

Leo Shanahan

by Leo Shanahan

10 May 05:35pm

Must Reads

We don’t deserve this huge, exciting scientific project - this is a caption

We don’t deserve this huge, exciting scientific project

41

Mining money talks the loudest in Australian politics - this is a caption

Mining money talks the loudest in Australian politics

60

Please enter your password - this is a caption

Please enter your password

39

Filed under: Election2010, Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott

46 comments

They say that the first step to healing any addiction is to admit you have a problem. Given the Prime Minister’s statement to his party colleagues this afternoon, it’s fair to say Kevin Rudd is in denial about his poll popularity.

All smiles as Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan arrive for Caucus today. Photo: Ray Strange

Following today’s shocking poll results for the Government, Kevin Rudd admitted to colleagues this afternoon that is “a difficult time for the Government” full of “difficult issues”, but hasn’t seem to have to admitted to any of the problems the Government has with the way its selling itself to the electorate at the moment.

According to those present a “determined” Mr Rudd spoke for almost 45 minutes at a caucus meeting in Canberra this afternoon, saying he “took full responsibility” for the state of the Government but then failed to articulate what problems he should be taking responsibility for.

Some Labor members said Mr Rudd was spending too much time with the media, with MP Michael Danby questioning his 40-odd hospital visits and his regular television appearances.

There were other allusions to the Government’s problems, with the Prime Minister being questioned on the CPRS and asylum seeker policy.

But Mr Rudd maintained Caucus would need to maintain a unity of purpose, read: turning on me now isn’t going to help anyone.

The Prime Minister said that the Government must “always be defined by what we are and we stand for.” He then went on to list the Government’s achievements including: an economy that has survived the GFC in good shape, education spending and the MySchools website, health and hospital reform and the apology to the stolen generation.

Mr Rudd said the challenge for the Government was to “outline achievements while advancing a vision for the future” and said that the “budget was a critical day to highlight fiscal discipline.”

The speech also included quite a fierce attack Opposition Leader Tony Abbott saying he was: “a risk to the economy and the social fabric” of Australia.

The attack on Abbott is also an insight into a likely strategy going into the election campaign. Labor obviously intends to tease out fears that Tony Abbott is a divisive figure who has the potential to turn parts of Australian society against each other.

How successful that campaign will be is debatable, but Kevin Rudd might need to accept a few of his own Government’s shortcomings before turning his attention towards a potential Coalition one.

Most commented

431Australia, you have nothing to fear but fear itself
390There's no one Thomson won't burn to save his skin
336Animal experiments won't cure me from cancer
313Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking
266Who murdered the Arts degree?
246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...
231South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.
231Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...

46 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • from the trenches says:

      06:43pm | 10/05/10

      The budget will no doubt set the electoral agenda. Expect to see a number of programs buried in the detail. Rudd will seek to wedge the opposition by refusing to split the budget detail in order to gain support and easier passage of the Bill. He will raise the spectre of an opposition who rejects “good policy” for the sake of it rather than for good reason. Some may argue that there is validity to this position but Rudd’s record on good policy versus media cycle and political agendas stands to damn this argument. That Rudd is unable to articulate even to his caucus that he needs to do better and in which areas is not terribly galvanising for the troops. Oh to be a fly on the wall at backbench drinks tonight!

      Reply

    • AntiMajorMistakesorOthersMan. says:

      06:47pm | 10/05/10

      @ Leo, if you think those polls are scary look at your own push poll on this very web site, 79% against the response to, “Tax Reform”. I don’t know why your team or any commentators have not been mentioning it.

      The previous one had similar figures against the health/hospital reform plan.

      But go look at http://ninemsn.com.au/ their poll today, simple yes/no, would you vote labour, at an election now, over 100,000 votes so far, more than 2 to 1 against, by 8 or 9am tomorrow morning when its been going nearly 24 hours the total votes will be close to 150,000.

      That’s some sample baby.

      regards the former snag & swinging voter.

      Reply

    • Diamantina Dick says:

      06:55pm | 10/05/10

      Now everybody is back in Canberra the long knives will be sharpend over dinner tonight. Swann or lame duck on the menu?

      Who is Mark Arbib dining with tonight, please tweet.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      06:58pm | 10/05/10

      No matter for whom you vote a politician always gets in.

      Reply

    • Wayne Fehlhaber says:

      07:05pm | 10/05/10

      Rudd’s strategy in attacking Abbott as an economic risk carries a risk for Rudd himself in light of the bungled programs and policies over the govt’s term.  Those mismanaged projects have cost billions of dollars and the electorate is acutely aware of what has been happening under Rudd’s watch. The old adage ” the pot calling the kettle black ” would be most applicable if Rudd foolishly choses to attack Abbott on economics.
      The Rudd federal govt. is currently in electoral strife and the likelyhood of a second term diminishes with the announcement today from the mining industry in Queensland of the suspension of billions of dollars worth of projects which had been scheduled for North Qld.  The mining industry has directly blamed the Rudd govt.s plan for a stiff tax on mining profits.
      The cost to Queensland will come in jobs and state royalties.

      Reply

    • Christian Real says:

      08:31am | 11/05/10

      Wayne,
      “the old adage of “the pot calling the kettle black’ could also apply to Tony(the phoney) Abbott)
      A few extracts from a story in “The age”, wriiten by Peter Martin, on February 4, 2010.
      “Coalition conceals tax review.”
      “The Coalition has been sitting on a report for more than a year that recommends taxing the family home,extending payroll tax and cutting income tax to 20 per cent”
      “While attacking the government for not releasing the Henry tax review, the opposition took delivery of the so-called “other Henry review”,which was commissioned in early 2008 by the then shadow treasurer Malcolm Turnbull from economic consultant Henry Ergas.:
      Wayne in this same secret tax review another sentence reads:
      “Company tax would be modelled on the resource rent tax that is presently in place for offshore petroleum and which the government’s Henry review recommends extending offshore.”
      Wayne,and yet another sentence reads:” States would be encouraged to impose their own income and consumption taxes on top of the Commonweath taxes in order to better fund their operations,”
      And so once again Wayne it appears that this secret tax Review undertaken by the Liberal opposition will no doubt under an Abbott Government, if by chance he does get elected, will burden the Australian people with both Federal and State Taxes(Abbott and his colleagues must think that the Australian people does not pay enough tax)
      Wayne, this story was found at : http://www.theage.com.au/national/coalition-conceals-tax-review-20100203-ndlc.html

    • Nicole says:

      07:10pm | 10/05/10

      More like The Master of Disaster. Everything he touches turns to sh!t.

      Reply

    • Diamantina Dick says:

      07:12pm | 10/05/10

      Swann talking up the Government as fiscally responsible reminds me of the Knight in Python’s Holy Grail!

      Reply

    • Bruce says:

      08:52pm | 10/05/10

      Diamantina Dick: No, more like: “He’s just a naughty little boy” !!  Each time I see Wayne Swan, its like he has just been given permission to speak. Now pat him on the head, and put him back in his box !

    • Peter says:

      07:15pm | 10/05/10

      Rudd likes to act like a strong leader by picking on minorities, people addicted to the most addictive drug in the world, people who would kill to stop that habbit, drive them in to poverty and as he said “makes no apology” for doing so.. Strong stuff KRudd. And the lie about covering the health costs just tops it off.. Do not underestimate the outrage from smokers… It wil cost him the election… Put them up if you had to Rudd, but 25% with more to follow? Your a cruel man…

      Reply

    • buzz says:

      07:12am | 11/05/10

      couldnt agree more dumbest political move ive seen in my
      life. 6 or so months from an election hit 3 million smokers
      with a massive tax hike to go on top of the massive tax that
      we where allready paying.
      the msm arnt running to hard on this issue preferring to run
      on the backing away from the ets as rudds biggest problem i beg to dither. i have not talked to one smoker that
      voted labor last time that will vote labor this time and im one
      of them my best guess they lost 1 million votes on this alone

    • Peter says:

      09:21am | 11/05/10

      Your right. It’s not as if smokers have enough problems, Grandma Rudd is ruining them..

    • Julia says:

      07:20pm | 10/05/10

      Rent resource tax, koala corridor. It’s all the same really.

      Reply

    • Christian Real says:

      08:01am | 11/05/10

      Julia,
      An extract from a story in the Age; “Coalition conceals tax review.”, written by Peter martin, february 4, 2010 and was found at http://www.theage.com.au/national/coalition-conceals-tax-review-20100203-ndlc.html
      “Company tax would be modelled on the resource rent tax that is presently in place for offshore petroleum and which the government’s Henry review recommends extending offshore.”
      Another sentence reads: “Mr Hockey told The age the Ergas tax review was not a public document. it was private advice paid for by the Coalition which would have input in the policies it would take to the election.”
      It would appear Julia, that Tony Abbott and the opposition has in their possession a secret tax review that their party commissioned in early 2008 from economic consultant Henry Ergas.
      The fact that the Coalition is concealing this secret tax report appears to indicate that they have much to hide,that they will spring on the Australian public should they ever get elected.

    • Mark says:

      08:18am | 11/05/10

      Hahahahaha.

      So you now accuse the Libs of actually formulating policy.

      And your evidence is that bastion of unbiased political reporting The Age.

      The story is hot it is like .....nowhere.

      CR you make me giggle

    • Christian Real says:

      09:49am | 11/05/10

      Mark,
      The Liberals did not formulate any policy, they commissioned Henry Ergas to do a review for them, which means it is his ideas, his suggestions that the Opposition Liberal party will be taking to the next federal election, not theirs.
      For you Mark, to believe that the Liberal party could actually formulate their own policies shows what a goose you really are.

    • Aitch B says:

      10:07am | 11/05/10

      And you honestly think that the ALP don’t commission privately funded (i.e. not publicly funded) reports from various consultants - financial and otherwise - and sit on them, Christian?

      The Libs are under no obligation to release the report - as the ALP wouldn’t be either. The commissioning of reports to develop policy is not a recent innovation, Christian. What do you think the ALP’s army of ‘consultants’ do?

      Take off the blinkers…...

    • nic says:

      07:23pm | 10/05/10

      This is the whole point. Rudd doesn’ t feel he needs to do anything of substance, he can always talk his way out by dazzling us with his inane verbosity.

      Reply

    • Brock says:

      12:02am | 11/05/10

      You think that “programmatic specificity” is inanely verbose? Come now!

    • Joe says:

      07:27pm | 10/05/10

      Wow Rudd doesn’t even follow his own spin - we must ‘always be defined by what we are and what we stand for.’

      The public now realise Rudd and Labor only stand for keeping power and the spin needed to do this.

      Reply

    • Against the Man says:

      07:38pm | 10/05/10

      Rudd the PM with failed policies, the record for spending our money and who things he is a celebrity who needs to promote policy via Rove/Sunrise show. Where is the dignity? Where is the leader with bright ideas? Rudd should quit now, the people have had enough and I know that the longer he is PM the more Australians will lose out.

      Reply

    • Paul says:

      11:02pm | 10/05/10

      I expect a Prime Minister to be above appearing on “cool” TV shows.  I hope Abbott can stand up to his spin morons and tell them what he will do instead of letting them tell him what to do.

    • persephone says:

      07:19am | 11/05/10

      Yes, PMs should just do talkback radio with shockjocks like Jones.

    • Christian Real says:

      07:36am | 11/05/10

      Paul.
      I expect a Prime Minister to be above wearing budgie smugglers, Above being an opportunist, above failing to list a slush fund in 1998 on the register of minister’s interests, in Parliament, http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663854618.html
      http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/26/1061663793191.html
      Also the fact that this want a be Prime Minister (True Blue and Loyal liberal) not, admitted voting for the Labor party.
      this is from Wikipedia:
      “Despite his right -wing leanings,Abbott has acknowledged he voted for Labor in the 1998 NSW State election as he thought “Barrie Unsworth was the best deal Premier that New South wales had ever had.”
      “Nevertheless,Abbott then clarified that he has never voted for labor in a federal election.”
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Abbott
      then a story in the daily Telegraph
      “Tony Abbott’s a scrooge for sacking staff over the holiday season”
      “Tony abbott is playing the part of scrooge this Christmas by letting go most of former opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull’s 25 staff just in time for the festive season.”
      “We understand that the Mad monk will be keeping on some of the junior staff.
      Bah humbug.”
      http://www.daily telegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/tony-abbotts-a scroo…
      “Coalition conceals tax review”, written by Peter Martin,February 4, 2010.
      “The coalition has been sitting on a report for more than a year that recommends taxing the family home,extending payroll tax and cutting income tax by 20 per cent.”
      “While attacking the government for not releasing the henry tax review,the opposition took delivery of the so-called “other Henry review.”, which was commissioned in early 2008 by then shadow treasurer Malcolm Turnbull from economic consultant Henry Ergas.”
      “The review was sought as a means of “developing further tax policies which we will take to the next election.”
      “It was delivered to the Coalition in several drafts between August and December 2008 but has not been released.”
      “Revealing its contents for the first time, Dr Ergas told the Age it set out only broad directions for tax reform on the understanding that it would be followed by a second, more detailed report after the release of the government’s Henry tax review.”
      “Dr Ergas said he had not heard from Tony Abbott since his elevation to the opposition leadership and believed the “intellectual property” in the unreleased report belong to him rather than the Coalition.”
      “At the report’s core is a flat income tax rate of 20 per cent”
      This story was found at:http://www.theage.com.au/National/coalition-conceals-tax-review-20100203-ndlc.html

    • James says:

      08:05am | 11/05/10

      Telling, Christian, that your opening blow was a criticism on Abbott’s dress sense when, wait for it, swimming at the beach or at the pool.

      He voted Labor once? Well we all make mistakes but let’s crucufy the bloke for exercising his democratic rights.

      Oh and here’s the kicker, he’s waiting for an election to be called before he releases his policies. I mean that is simply unprecedented!! What has this man got to hide??

    • Christian Real says:

      08:40am | 11/05/10

      James,
      In response to your comment,It would appear that this man has plenty to hide.
      The fact that Tony Abbott did vote Labor , when he was an elected Minister in the Liberal government, lead by John Howard shows that this man has no loyality to the party that he was elected to represent.

    • Christian Real says:

      09:39am | 11/05/10

      James,
      It would appear that maybe these Liberal opposition leaders have a thing about wearing and having photo shoots in “budgie smugglers’
      It appears that former New South Wales Liberal opposition leader,peter Debnam didn’t mind photo shoots in ‘Budgie smuggler’s ’  either, leading up to the New South Wales State election in 2007, which he lost, to Labor.

    • Aitch B says:

      10:11am | 11/05/10

      @Christian:

      For goodness sake give up on the budgie smugglers, Christian!! What’s he supposed to wear when he’s on lifesaving duty….. a dinner suit??

    • Ryan says:

      10:40am | 11/05/10

      @Christian : its great to see slime bags having a go at the attire of surf life saving Australia. Let me guess Christian, you are one of those that think its great to go down to the beach, get liquored up and laugh at what the surf lifesavers are wearing, following a few more you go and bash our volunteer lifesavers perhaps? Tony Abbot has been photographed in surf lifesaving attire yes, if you think the attire of a volunteer life saving organisation is offensive then just come out and say how much you hate the whole organisation.

    • Christian Real says:

      11:11am | 11/05/10

      Ryan, Where in my comment did I have a go at the lfesavers as you blatantly suggest, its time you Liberal imbeciles pulled your heads in instead of going of half cocked in attack to somebody elses comments.
      Tony Abbott is and always will be an opportunist and poser for a photo shoot and media attention.

    • Christian Real says:

      11:18am | 11/05/10

      Ryan,
      I don’t hate the surf lifesaving organization as you blatantly suggest in your comment, I just dislike and hate Abbott, he is an opportunist and a poser.

    • Ryan says:

      12:47pm | 11/05/10

      @Christian Real : fine, I am not about to tell you who to like and dislike, but leave the attire of surf lifesaving out of it.

      While I am responding, “Tony Abbott is and always will be an opportunist and poser for a photo shoot and media attention. ” this is a bit of a hypocritical statement don’t you think, he is really only emulating what Rudd does.

    • Henry says:

      02:15pm | 11/05/10

      I’m not sure where ‘Real’ gets off mocking the outfits that Surf Lifesavers wear.

      The last resort of the Rudd Lover I guess.  What can we all expect from the electorate of the damned.

    • Ryan says:

      10:33am | 12/05/10

      @Christian Real: actually re-reading you comments, I think we do need further explanation. “I expect a Prime Minister to be above wearing budgie smugglers.”. What exactly do you mean by this, you expect a prime minister that relinquishes his public service duties as a surf lifesaver when he becomes opposition prime minister merely because you find the attire surf lifesavers wear offensive.. oh wait not offensive on anyone else, only offensive on the opposition prime minister because you hate him and think its funny to make fun of someone out there actually saving lives? Please explain to us all, I am sure we would love to understand your disgusting viewpoint on this.

    • BullClip says:

      08:36pm | 10/05/10

      Dignity?  Notice that his ministers are trained to only refer to him as “Kevin”.  Whilst Australia is known for its irreverent character surely they can refer to him as Mr Rudd or “the Prime Minister”.

      Rudd isn’t the sexiest name but degrading the highest (second?) political position i, shall we say…tossy.

      Reply

    • Christian Real says:

      11:03am | 11/05/10

      Bullclip,
      What is wrong to refering to the Prime Minister as ‘Kevin’, it is his own request that he prefers to be addressed by his Christian name.
      As for his ministers being trained to only refer to him as “Kevin” is Liberal spin, because he always ask people to just call him ‘Kevin’

    • AdamC says:

      10:02pm | 10/05/10

      Rudd will be looking for some budget magic to turn his fortunes around and build a credible platform and agenda going into the election. Abbott needs to use his budget reply to do the same. It will be interesting to see whether, if Rudd fails to whack a ‘super profits’ tax on the banks, Abbott will give in to the populist temptation to make it Coalition policy.

      Let’s remember, Rudd may be down (and downright abysmal) but he’s not out, and Aussies never vote out governments after only one term. Rudd will have to keep the cock-ups coming to put the Coalition in government at the next election.

      Reply

    • Old Clive says:

      07:24am | 11/05/10

      I want to hear what Neavy and pershone have to say about being defined. Also cheong sam, that is his non-de-plume or does he have a split personality like his dress.

      Reply

    • Super D says:

      08:14am | 11/05/10

      The title of this article is probably the only time “Kevin Rudd” and “understatement” have appeared in the same sentence.

      Reply

    • Albert Szabo says:

      08:24am | 11/05/10

      Dear Kevin Rudd.

      I used to vote for you and I will vote for you again this year, because you are the best prime minister for Australia EVER!!!  I strongly support your brave decision to increase the tax for the big mining companies.  As you said the ABUDANT amount of minerals belong to all Australian citizens!!! Saudi Arabia, Alaska and many other honest oil and mineral rich countries pay thousands of dollars monthly to their citizens.  Part of the profit I believe also belongs to the citizens too.

      I think the mining companies are not behaving in a very Australian way and they should not be crossing your government when trying to administer appropriate policies for the country.

      I hope that you and your government does not give into to the pressure being applied by these mining magnates.  It is your duty as the country’s leader to make decisions that benefit most of the Australian population not just a few.

      Reply

    • Christian Real says:

      08:58am | 11/05/10

      Albert Szabo,
                    I agree with what you have to say simply because the mining Companies are not in charge of this Country, and yet they appear to think and believe that they are much bigger than the elected government,and they should be made to realise that they are not.
      Also these big mining companies are not in a position to dictate to this government or any elected government, and as they should pay for the rights to set up their mining companies and mine minerals and ore in Our Country and on our soil.

    • John says:

      08:37am | 11/05/10

      Is there no limit to Rudd’s inanities? His solemn statement that ‘we will be judged on ‘what we are and what we stand for’’ means what? Is this not the way all politicians and political parties are, or should be, judged on? Or has he discovered some new meaningless mantra to show off?

      Just as it became apparent early that George W Bush would live in history as the worst US President, so too has it long been apparent that Rudd is Australia’s worst ever PM, and that even includes Silly Billy. At least SB did little harm.

      Reply

    • the apologist says:

      09:00am | 11/05/10

      On the bright side, if they’re in denial, they’ll mercifully send themselves to the opposition benches without too much fuss.

      Reply

    • dancan says:

      01:03pm | 11/05/10

      Even when Kevin’s talking to his own people he’s still trying to spin.  It’s no wonder everything is starting to fall apart

      Reply

    • Snowqueen says:

      03:16pm | 11/05/10

      (Quote) The Prime Minister said that the Government must “always be defined by what we are and we stand for.” -
      Yes - well, so we would we -( ‘we’ being the long suffering electorate)  with all the backflips, changes, flips, flops etc etc ad nauseum - no one knows what your either defined by or stand for any more !!

      Reply

    • soultrader says:

      04:01pm | 11/05/10

      @Christian Real
      Are you for real?
      Your vitriol is astonishing today.
      Did you forget to get your prescription filled this morning?
      You seem so incensed that it can’t be good for your blood pressure or your mental health.
      Take a Bex, have a hot cuppa and a little lie down. If that doesn’t work, maybe a visit to the shrink will help.
      And there you go - no fee charged for that advice

      Reply
 
Comment

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 26 May 12 09:27PM

Dementor doing a good job for sweden #sbseurovision

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 26 May 12 09:11PM

Ukraine song pinches chord progression from The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony. Fo real #sbseurovision

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 26 May 12 09:00PM

RT @GerardDaffy: @antsharwood all the talk over there is the grannies will win.they entered to get a church built,feelgood story

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 26 May 12 08:57PM

These peole insult my grandmothjer, who was born in minsk, belarus #sbseurovision

See all tweets

Recent posts

The latest and greatest

We don’t deserve this huge, exciting scientific project

by Claire Connelly

41

We don’t deserve this huge, exciting scientific project

I’d like to be able to say that sharing the world’s largest radio telescope with South Africa…

Mining money talks the loudest in Australian politics

by Laurie Oakes

60

Mining money talks the loudest in Australian politics

When North Queensland Liberal MP George Christensen got the idea of launching a new political organisation…

Please enter your password

by Lucy Kippist

39

Please enter your password

Help! I’ve succumbed to a crippling modern illness that can strike at any moment. Symptoms include:…

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

Michael S says:

"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]

From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone

Change Up! says:

I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]

Light weight

Gentle jabs to the ribs

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more

243 comments

Newsletter

Read all about it

Sign up to the free daily Punch newsletter

Subscribe to The Punch RSS feed