Where’s Kevin Rudd?

Jimbo says:

12:31pm | 13/01/10

Where is KRudd?
Maybe on Rove?
Maybe on that Sunrise Morning Show?
Maybe sitting somewhere and thinking up useless policy? (Whatever happened to this ETS buiness? And rememeber his great health care policy plan?........good neither does anyone else.)
KRudd thought he could be PM than when he got the job he had a few good months when things were fine, than came the GFC/heathcare issues/environmant issues/asylum seeker issues and he just provided more spin than a indonesian top. Anyone who wants to defend labor just needs to answer one thing…...what has KRudd done (other then lots of apologies) of quality for this country since he became PM?

dingo says:

12:35pm | 13/01/10

ha - that should be his official picture on the punch from now on.
great great pic - what a goon

monkeytypist says:

12:47pm | 13/01/10

“Where’s Rudd?”  The only people who are asking are frustrated journos getting off break who are looking for a bit of sound and movement in their stories.  They write every day; the average person listens *very* intermittently.

Nah Toby the assumption you are making is that anybody outside of the political bubble is paying the slightest bit of attention right now.  The media/political class can cannibalise itself all it wants over the summer, but the agenda for this year hasn’t been set.  Put it this way: if someone like Rudd felt that he could be productive off holidays, do you think for a second he would be on them as we speak?

Mr Pastry says:

12:50pm | 13/01/10

He’s laughing at us, isn’t he?

CSallen says:

12:53pm | 13/01/10

What’s all this talk of Kevin Rudd, isn’t Julia Gillard the PM?

Cassie says:

12:56pm | 13/01/10

I noticed even Obama came back from his hols after Copenhagen and returning from Hawaii 2 weeks ago and was back on the job. Where’s our PM, still swaning around at Kirribilli House and the mountains of Tasmania a month after Copenhagen.  PLEASE Austalia wake up to this phoney. He obviously is a confident PM with his popularity polls so high. Tony Abbott is the PM Australia needs, bring on an election.

Karen says:

01:00pm | 13/01/10

This picture of Rudd is the perfect shot of a PM that has let his popularity go straight to his head. I wouldn’t sit back laughing Mr Rudd, Abbott is about to knock you right off your perch.

PJ says:

01:02pm | 13/01/10

Still got the same shirt on Kevin! You look in reasonable health; must have ben the entr’ee chefs skills; one of the many you took to Copenhagen with you.

Bearbrass says:

01:10pm | 13/01/10

I’m much more of a fan of your work than the PM’s, Tors, but it’s unaustralian to have a go at anyone for being away from work between Christmas and Australia Day.  Rudd is a famous workaholic who probably needed a holiday desparately - and all the more so to recharge the batteries ahead of taking on a really tough opponent for a change.  But as you say, the danger is that he’s been using the time to write another essay!

H of SA says:

01:14pm | 13/01/10

O reckon it could be that the Prime Minister is:

a) giving the opposittion leader “enough rope” and
b) minimising his exposure so that we won’t be sick to death of him by the time he is all over the media pre-election

Steve of Cornubia says:

01:13pm | 13/01/10

That guy in the piccie looks vaguely familiar.

Luke says:

01:21pm | 13/01/10

I guess because he has had so much publicity about him being a workaholic (even though it is spent touring the world chasing popularity on the world stage) no one will mind him taking such a long break. After all jet lag can take a long time to recover from.

Bob says:

01:22pm | 13/01/10

Surely a better title would have been, “Where’s the Wally?”

Jane says:

01:24pm | 13/01/10

The more I see of Tony Abbott the less I like Kevin Rudd. It’s going to be a rough ride Kevin in 2010 for you, so you will need all the rest you can get.

Sandy says:

01:30pm | 13/01/10

He’s been preparing himself for his photo shoots with Hilary Clinton next week. He needs to look his best for that. Rest up Kev.

Trudy says:

01:40pm | 13/01/10

He’s not sitting there in budgie smugglers I hope!

Leticia says:

01:45pm | 13/01/10

How could you call him a workaholic, he sprouts whatever his media advisors and economists tell him and sends his ministers out to answer all the hard questions (which are rare anyway). Never makes a decision on anything, so what does he actually do?

D'oh says:

01:47pm | 13/01/10

The spin machine has not caught up to cover all his cock ups yet.

Concerned says:

01:52pm | 13/01/10

Looking at this photo of him makes you miss John Howard.

Nick from Melbourne says:

02:13pm | 13/01/10

Don’t begrudge our our peerless leader his well earned rest. Considering his extensive travels around the globe, representing all of us on the world stage - at our expense, of course - , he must simply be exhausted and suffering from jet lag. But there is good news for this “workaholic’ prime minister.  After the next election he will have lots of time to rest and write children’s books

Cuppa says:

02:29pm | 13/01/10

He is probably off thinking up his latest FAIL.Has he actually acomplished anything..?Anything at all..?Kevin Rudd is a huge liability to Australia & it is scary to think that there are still morons out there who think he is doing a good job.

iansand says:

02:29pm | 13/01/10

His staffers have him locked in an oubliette (a word that should be used more often) so that THEY can have a bit of a kip.

Tim says:

02:29pm | 13/01/10

Just to challenge the status quo here. Nobody gives a shit about this stuff.

While we all went bezerk with the ETS debate and the Liberal leadership spill most people had their mind on something else.

Just looking on google insights indicates this.

There was twice as much interest in the AFL draft than the ETS Debate.

There is also twenty times the interest in NYE fireworks than the peak of interest in the Liberal takeover.

Get a life everyone.

http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=CPRS + ETS,tony abbott,afl draft,test cricket&geo=AU&date=today 3-m&cmpt=q

Sickofu says:

02:31pm | 13/01/10

Goddbye kevin07 your a joke and hello Tony 2010.

Bruce says:

02:35pm | 13/01/10

Kevin Rudd can afford to take it easy. If you can take 114 support people to Copenhagen, achieve very little. Give each of the 114 support staff for attending a gift. Keep allowing queue jumping immigrants into Australia and there is no public or media outrage, he does not have a problem in the world !! Nobody seems to care !! Obviously, there are more than enough dumb voters out there to keep him in government.

ramblingrose says:

02:37pm | 13/01/10

By the way Kev while your sitting there having a giggle, another boat mate. Any room at Kirribilli House or the Lodge for them?

chris says:

02:39pm | 13/01/10

Fuel watch, grocery watch, whale watch, hospital watch, laptop 4 tha kids watch and an education revolution in the form of borrowing billions to build school halls.
Now its time for a new one, Rudd watch. You see I think we are entering the period when Rudds cheer squad in the media realize the emperor has no clothes. Running only on spin is very remenisant of Bobby ‘butt ugly’ Carr. Ofcourse I could of told them that circa 2007 but nobody listens to me. boo hoo

CJ says:

02:43pm | 13/01/10

Fair dinkum, journos put the boot into Rudd for being a “workaholic”, gleefully pointing out he’s lost a lot of staff who can’t keep up with his demanding work schedule. And today you’re poo-poo him being on holiday too long for your liking - painting him as some kind of bludger. Dead-set! Last month you were saying how great it was pollies took a break, yet here you are today, tapping your finger on your watch like some self-appointed hall monitor. It’ a bit much, I reckon. On a side note, I think we’d all best remember that Tony Abbott is proudly anti-abortion, anti-contreception, pro-work choices, pro-monarchy, anti-stem cell research, pro-at fault divorce and at a meeting in Beaufort, Victoria, in October, he told the audience the concept of climate change was “absolute crap”. Can’t believe so many Punch posters think this zealous clown is a hero ...

Abbott lover says:

02:51pm | 13/01/10

Tony Abbott is a hero! He got rid of Rudds ETS.and at last is going to make Rudd work to keep his job. Tony for PM.

CSallen says:

02:52pm | 13/01/10

Wow CJ you even sound like him!

Darryl Price says:

03:01pm | 13/01/10

It just seems like he’s not prepared to come and face the hard questions. People are over his highly qualified responses to even the simplest of questions - Q: “Would you like fries with that” A: “As much as I, as Prime Minister of Australia might like fries right now, I have a responsibility to the Australians who elected me to be in the best state of both mind and body to make decisions, not just any decision, but the best decision in a forthright and considered manner” Q: “Yes okay thanks for that, but do you want fries?”
The childrens book must SURELY be ghost written. If it is plain simple english it only proves the Kevin Rudd we all know is a humbug.

Henry says:

03:03pm | 13/01/10

You sound worried CJ, a bit of change to 2009 eh. I bet even Kevs a bit worried too, if he’s not he should be.

D'oh says:

03:05pm | 13/01/10

Awwwm CJ what’s the matter?  Did Tory write an article that hurt your feelings?  Or are you just mad that an article slightly critical of Rudd (shock horror) was published by someone other than a Liberal politician??

Little Miss Sci Fi says:

03:08pm | 13/01/10

He’s in Tasmania with his family. He tweeted about it earlier in the week. Give the guy a break and let him take his leave. He works 11 months of the year without taking a breath.

Additionally, Paliament doesn’t start sitting again until February.

H of SA says:

03:09pm | 13/01/10

Ahh the predictable trolling against CJ begins - check the IP’s if I was a gambler I would put a lot on them coming from Liberal electorate offices. The juvenille tone is about right for someone of the age to be in young Liberals and early enough in their career to be content with electorate office salaries.

Ivan says:

03:13pm | 13/01/10

Hahhah let the dude chill out a bit..hes had a tough 2009…its better than leaders who are officially working but are actually chilling…am sure Kev has a plan up his sleeve….

http://karmicsoliloquy.blogspot.com/

liberalpoliceofficer says:

03:14pm | 13/01/10

H of SA - what have you been smoking this afternoon?

formersnag says:

03:22pm | 13/01/10

No Fault Divorce or the “Anti Family Law” act of 1975 is the reason why so many working class formerly labour voters became known as the John Howard battlers. With the “review” of the “shared parenting” laws they will be voting conservative again.

The labour/green coalition will be wiped off the face of the earth at the next election. Why else do you think they are spending so much on “stimulus”, trying to buy votes before the next election? They are also trying to stave off the next recession, which is coming, anyway, no matter what they do, it will just be worse now, as a direct result of them spending like drunken sailors to delay its arrival.

Darryl Price says:

03:26pm | 13/01/10

I live in Central Queensland, and work as an equipment operator in a coal mine. There is no Liberal Party branch even in this electorate, I dare say there is a Nationals office further out west. The sitting member is Chris Trevor (LAB). The fact is, myself and many others in KR’s supposed demographic can’t abide this self serving mealy mouthed populist.

H of SA says:

03:28pm | 13/01/10

liberalpoliceofficer,

I worked for one of the major parties in an electorate office, though I refused to join the party. I have two friends and a few drinking acquaintances from the other major political party. Also office staff that weren’t party hacks had a pretty good rapport and would hang out after work ect.

I’ve seen enough of this kind of thing going on to know it goes on and know enough people involved in young labor/liberal to know that this is what they do with their time - I even overheard some happles 18 year old on a bus trying to impress a girl by telling her this is what he does with his time - how do you reckon it worked out for him?

If first hand knoweldge doesn’t do the trick just look at the posting times when ever a pollie puts up an article on hear, withing the first 10 minutes you will have three “Hear Hear”, “Abbot for PM” or “Kevin the climate hero” (depending on said pollie’s allegiance) come up. Now normal people don’t talk in political catchphrases, and most MP’s have 3 admin staff in their office so…you do the math.

Also, check the vitiriol and oversensitive response my calling them out will bring….if ain’t true why are they so upset. If there is no nerve to touch then presumably the wouldn’t be this upset…..

Petal says:

03:33pm | 13/01/10

This picture of him says it all.

luke says:

03:41pm | 13/01/10

Is Kevin Rudd still the Prime Minister, I thought he quit to write kiddie books. I guess we can look forward to seeing him again, no doubt he will be wearing a hard hat and safety vest. One other question, why are ALP politicians often wearing hard hats and safety vest when they are not in canberra?

H of SA says:

03:45pm | 13/01/10

Darryl, I’m more than happy to concede you are not a Lib staffer. For a start your post was actually more than a couple of lines long and contained some humour, but look at the posts around yours for their one sentance sloganism and their close time proximity and you will see why the Hackometer went off.

Kent says:

03:47pm | 13/01/10

@H of SA
Your not enjoying reading these posts are you?

over it says:

03:57pm | 13/01/10

Where’s Kevin?
The point is does anyone care where he is? No they do not.
The less I see of this fool the better. He should have stayed in Copenhagen considering he is nothing more than a UN stooge anyway.

Labor realise that Kevin is outstaying his welcome with his cries of ‘global warming’, climate change’, ‘deniers’, ‘copenhagen’, ‘binding targets’ BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. Labor have decided to lay low like mushrooms lest they give any details that Abbott can rip them apart on.

Yes he may still be popular with the sheeple. That’s why anyone who knows better should make a point of discussing his attempt to decimate our country through this absurd global tax scam, with every single person they know or meet. Tell your family, friends, clients, workmates, taxi drivers, person on the train, ANYONE AND EVERYONE - to put Labor last and the Greens second last. VOTE THESE BUMS OUT.

nic says:

03:58pm | 13/01/10

Rudd is laughing because he knows that despite Abbots head-start, media outlets will continue to give him a free ride.

H of SA says:

04:00pm | 13/01/10

No Kent I am not enjoying the one line posts. If all people can muster in terms of political debate is a one line cheer slogan for their party of choice then I wonder why they wasted their breath/bandwidth.

red robin says:

04:06pm | 13/01/10

Kevin has taken some time off from saving the world.
Why does he think he was elected?
He was meant to be an Australian PM not a global UN negotiator.

He should be well and truly in hiding now considering the great big stuff up taking in those illegal immigrants - four of which need to be resettled in another country due to ‘concerns’

KEVIN RUDD = EPIC FAILURE

Cheryl says:

04:07pm | 13/01/10

Thanks for the picture. I had totally forgotten what our PM looks like. Don’t knock him for taking a holiday, it’s the only time he spends in Australia!

Not a Liberal Staffer says:

04:09pm | 13/01/10

H of SA - Tony Abbott for PM!

CJ says:

04:17pm | 13/01/10

Tory, I wasn’t referring to you. By “Punch posters”, I meant the readers who post comments. Like me.

Deliah says:

05:42pm | 13/01/10

I can tell you where Kevin Rudd is not to be found i.e. his electorate. He appears not to want to be accessible to his constituents. The voters are getting angry and rightfully so.

acker says:

06:35pm | 13/01/10

Kev might be trying to corner the wheres Wally kids book market.

Wheres Kevvy in his Lions scarfe

Shane From Melbourne says:

06:57pm | 13/01/10

Kevin Rudd is about as useless as Tony Abbott. A pox upon both party leaders.

Not a Kevin fan says:

08:23pm | 13/01/10

Given Kevin 747 spends so little time in the country, when he actually graces us with his presence here he should be out dealing with the issues that are of concern to voters.

Radical Chick says:

09:56pm | 13/01/10

If Australia has a leader at the moment we should thank Julia Gillard….Krudd doesn’t like work which doesn’t involve him going on an airplane.
Bring the liberals back!!

Glen says:

11:02pm | 13/01/10

Why are you complaining about not having to put up with his incessant photo ops, lies and spin?  I’m delighted not to have to look at his smarmy face.  Bring on the election.

wilson the coconut says:

01:20am | 14/01/10

I,ve been told Ruudds #1 spin doctor is back in Britain facing a parlimentary enqiry, is this so?.Hence the reason Rudds gone missing?. If this is the case, it would simply reinforce my opinion of him. ie. anyone know?

Zen says:

06:20am | 14/01/10

Jimbo and Not a Kevin fan are spot on. This pm is all about image and spin and flying around the world thanks to the taxpayer so that he can impress his international buddies with silly ideas like the ets aka the wealth re-distribution scam. Labor whether at state or federal level has been less then impressive we need abbott to sort things out before it is too late.

danj says:

06:28am | 14/01/10

I think its good. The bloke makes me cringe every time I see him on telly or hear him on the radio, so its been a relaxing few weeks

Timmo says:

07:12am | 14/01/10

If Abbot gets in then the country will be run by the Pope, won’t that be wonderful.? Yes Tony being a good Catholic Cultist will be taking his orders from Above and bugger the viewpoints of the Agnostics and the Athiests. What a pathetic lot you all are you knuckledragging liberals. Well are you aware that before Howard and Tony got in before by lies etc. etc. You remember the people overboard affair. They won an Election on that one, suckers. Dogs attacking the Watersideworkers. Bit of Nazi there I’m sure. Calling unemployed, Dole Bludgers and Pensioners the same. No control over Prices. No Apology for the Aboriginal People or a Treaty. Who gave the Aboriginals their lands back, wasn’t Abbotts mob. But Kev was there for them and Hawke and Whitlam. Now the War on Iraq, well that was a little beauty wasn’t it. Howard, Bush and Blair should be hanging up there with Saddam over that one, but where are they. Well Howard will be back running and advising Tony from his retirement village. Bush and Blair having a nice life somewhere not worring in the least about the murderous policies of their perfect Political Agenda. And of course they allowed through this the further rise of Terrorism in the world. Well there you have a bit of it, don’t want to go on too much but gee we have short memories don’t we?. And you all wan’t more of that do you?. And by the way the Words,” Commonwealth of Australia”, should be removed as the assets of the country were sold off by who, I wonder. No public assets left here. We shouldn’t be worried so much by the fact that Kev needs a holiday but where did all the Countries Public Owned Assets go too that has left us with nothing to fall back on. Well because of your wonderful Liberals and feeding the who’s who and the Hob Nobs and would be’s my Grandchildren will probably never own their own Homes and their Children also. Well that’s a bit of Good Governance isn’t it. And you want more!!. Give us more of the Howardites they cry. Well as the Old Joe B. Petersen used to say up here in the old Sunny Qld, “Well Don’t you worry about that”. Well Political People out there pretty soon this old Mother Earth is going to shake us all off like a dog with fleas. Yes, the Fleas of the Earth will be eliminated and that will be the only good thing that has happened in the last 200years. Hope you’re in the Right Place at the Right time. Now that will give you Journos something really good to write about, so good luck to all of you, and no, sorry, your God won’t save you.

Andrew says:

07:23am | 14/01/10

Doesn’t the last Federal Election now look like a big fat joke played on all Australian’s!  Look what we have now as a party in power and the leader of this sad and sorry circus is least of all interested in leading the country!  Sorry to say but I miss John Howard! ( at the very least he knew what a PM’s day’s work was).  Krudd YOU ARE A CLOWN! and the public you are supposed to serve are not amused.

David says:

07:48am | 14/01/10

Kevvie , when you do the backflip make sure you are standing on the edge of the harbour . May be a local bull shark could take a fancy to you .

Saint says:

07:50am | 14/01/10

Tony Abbott will go down in history as the man who saved this country from oblivion. If he isn’t our next PM, he’ll certainly give Rudd and Labor a serious fight.

Kevin Rudd is, and always has been, a flip flopping populist and one-trick pony, that trick being expensive, grand and completely useless gestures.

Mr Abbott and The Liberal Party, my free gift to you is your catch-cry for the upcoming election…. Rudd’s a Dud.

Pete from Sydney says:

07:50am | 14/01/10

Nic, that’s not the reason….Kevin is laughing because Tony’s a dill and couldn’t win a kick in a stampede..Abbott will not answer a straight question, he never has mastered that art….Kevvy doesn’t need to do to much at the moment, the Mad Monk will screw it up eventually

Dee says:

07:53am | 14/01/10

Like many others, I have enjoyed his absence the past month. Having a break from Rudd has been as good as a holiday.
He went into hiding after Copenhagen and has hardly been seen since. How Julia and the rest must be sick of always having to handle the difficult awkward questions.
He is probably writing another indecipherable tirade of nonsense or perhaps working on his parliamentary performance where he shows his utter contempt for the voting public!
Also, what can we tax next? Perhaps a window tax - has been done before
but so long ago that he could claim credit for an “original idea”.
I didn’t realise how much I missed clear concise thinking until Tony Abbot appeared on the scene - no spin, just a genuine bloke with the best interests of his country at heart. While Rudd will probably win this next election, it will be an interesting year and hopefully he will be made to answer a few tough questions.
GO TONY!

Deliah says:

07:55am | 14/01/10

@Tim. Providing us with a litany of Howard’s sins does not get Kevin Rudd off the hook. He is failing to deliver and on the whaling issue it does look like he has misled the electorate. There are many voters who in good faith voted for Rudd and feel let down and betrayed. One gets the feeling he just does not care about the people he is supposed to represent.

It is poor form and manners not to answer correspondence from constituents.  I am no Howard supporter but at least the man answered his mail.

Pete from Sydney says:

08:12am | 14/01/10

Deliah, you’re comparing the whaling to that list of sins? Seriously?? Have another look, little Johnny invented the phrase ‘non-core promises’ for promises that were allowed to be broken…

PS Providing a list of Howard’s sins does remind the Abbott lovers that he was part of all that.

Hermi says:

08:21am | 14/01/10

There was life before Kevin Rudd and there will be life after Kevin Rudd.

This too shall pass.

Passing Wind says:

08:44am | 14/01/10

The pro’s and cons of Rudd’s service to Australians:

Pro’s: He’s very good at making promises.
He’s very good at spin.
Has memorised the thesaurus and uses very big words .

Con’s: He’s very bad at keeping them.
He speaks two languages, Mandarin & gobbledegook, neither of which the majority of Australians understand.

The last time I saw Rudd on TV he was wrapping christmas presents with some kids. Haven’t seen him since. But don’t worry, he’ll be back with more bribes for votes before the next election.

At the moment he’s probably in hiding, hoping the public will remember the handouts and forget the promises and all the overseas trips. Especially the multi million dollar Copenhagen debacle.

Peter T says:

08:46am | 14/01/10

No doubt Rudd and crew have been laying low hoping Abbott will go out there and hang himself and give them enough amunition to come out firing soon. This sort of tactic may have worked with Turnbull as Leader of the Libs, but it won’t work with Abbott. BUT I think this tactic may have backfired, as Australians have had the chance to come out of the Rudd/Labor hypnosis we’ve been put under. Tony Abbott is showing us at last we have an alternative, and Australians have now had the chance to reflect on what Rudd/Labor promised and never achieved after more than 2 years in Government. Abbott is looking like a great alernative PM to Rudd. Abbott has showed he is nothing like Rudd and has the guts to get out there and face his critics and tell us honestly what he believes in. Australians will be able to get to know Abbott, does anyone really know who Rudd is? Except an arrogant show pony, more interested in himself and his ego than doing what is best for Australia. I hope Abbott kicks this weazle to kingdom come. I’m sure the more people see of Abbott the more people are going to cringe when they have tosee and listen to Kevin Rudd.

Melvin says:

08:57am | 14/01/10

When Rudd and his team get back to work, their going to look like even bigger fools trying to reintroduce their ETS/CPRS It goes to show the contempt and arrogance towards Australia. Opinion shows Australians do not want an ETS/CPRS and it’s been voted down twice, but this Government is so arrogant they don’t care what anyone else wants, cause Kev wants to leave a legacy. Bring it on Abbott.

Carl Palmer says:

08:59am | 14/01/10

I think the PM took his bat and ball to Copenhagen and lost both whilst he was there - that’s why he has been at the cricket and “submarining”.

Nearly all have gone silent, I guess if you just shut up people will forget your past sins.  That said Tory, I’d have to say that Peter Garrett has been quite vocal recently, it must have been his new year’s resolution. I’ve seen him more in the last month than the last two years. Penny also briefly pop up last night, looks like the break did her no good.

Unfortunately I’ve put on a bit of weight over the Xmas / New Year period because I’ve not had to carry my huge thesaurus around with me. Damm, when he gets back, I’ll have to carry it around because I never quite understand what he is saying - the neo liberalism thingo was in the troposphere.  I’d just wish he’d just stay quiet forever – how good would that be!

And yes bring on more ALF.

Phil says:

09:06am | 14/01/10

Timmo

Wow what a tirade.

Selling of the assets. Didnt Hawke and Keating start that game. Commonwealth Bank ?

Liberals were forced to pay off labor’s debt and did so with little asset sales, remember they also set up the country to be able to withstand an ecomonic tsunami that was the GFC. Most assets that are being sold off are state owned assets.

Iraq war. Didnt Hawke take us into that one in 1990?

The Waterfront Dispute was one of the changes needed for this country but the Labor Party are controlled by the Unions so they were never going to take them on. Just look at the strikes now coming on line after the Fair Work comes on line.

As for saying Sorry, taking action is much better than Symbolic Spin.

Please explain how it is the liberals fault that your grandchildren will not be able to afford a home?

Perhaps you could enlighten these grandchildren that a good education, qualifications, hard work and a few calculated risks will set them up nicely.  The world owes noone a living. Getting off your rusty dusty and working hard will do the trick.

By the way the article was about WHERES RUDD not bagging the bloke for his politics. Just saying that since nopenhagen he has been very quiet, Maybe just Maybe some of the labor party and learning that whilst he was the messiah who got their snouts back in the spoils of office, if he continues the Austrlaian people are waking up and they will be short term government.

Q.E.D. says:

09:13am | 14/01/10

@ Timmo :08:12am | 14/01/10

Wow, Tim. Do you feel better now?!

Doesn’t change anything in relation to KRudd.

Pete from Sydney says:

09:26am | 14/01/10

Hey Phil, I take it you can see into the future mate, how is it that the the kiddies won’t be able to afford homes again mate…Australia is better placed than almost any other world economy to get back into the black quickly. And by the way, the Liberals didn’t set us up, the on-going mineral boom did, they were very lucky to be in the middle of it

and turning dogs on Austalian citizens in the waterfront dispute was inexcusable, the dirty deal between Patricks and the Liberal govenment was a disgrace..

Luke says:

09:46am | 14/01/10

Liberals are the same as Labor. People need to understand that these two parties serve only themselves, and that they to consider other parties and independents.

D'oh says:

10:44am | 14/01/10

@ Timmo: nice list, here is Rudd’s (and all in 2 years, what an achievement!!):

Part 1:

1.  2020 - 1,000 B&B; minds, $2+m = 9 useable ideas.
2.  Save the whales – FAIL
3.  Fight Inflation Genie – Oops GFC
4.  Taxes up (Gas, Diesel, Transport, Alco pops) – inflationary
5.  Fuelwatch - cost $21 million – FAIL
6.  Grocery Watch/Choice – June, 2009 abandoned $13 million election promise – FAIL
7.  Arresting Iranian leaders – Stunt
8.  Bank Guarantee - still over 200,000 bank accounts frozen from September 2008 - $25B of savings locked up for possibly 4 years.
9.  Laptops
10.  National Broadband Network (from $4b, to $7b to $43 billion) – Experts are now saying it will cost in the region of $20,000 PER CONNECTION
11.  Cash Splash 1 – borrowed
12.  Cash Splash 2 – also borrowed = $42 billion
13.  Work Choices /Fair work – Will cost jobs Awards Back flips – special dispensation for Tourism/Food industry. Horticultural Industry warning new awards will put farmers out of business, eg, casual pickers weekend rates.  - No response from Gillard yet.
14.  Immigration/Refugees/Asylum Seekers how many boats so far? Need I even mention the Oceanic Viking?
15.  Defence - cut expenditure & increase weaponry?
16.  Homeland Security Department – “a non-core promise” broken Nov 28, 2007
17.  The buck stops with me – so where are you?
18.  Securing water on the Murray/Darling
19.  IVF Program – cuts - the caring ALP.
20.  Medicare/Private Health – rebate not to be touched - key election promise - outright lie
21.  Dental Scheme – gone – the caring ALP
22.  Cataract Surgery – costs doubled – the caring ALP
23.  Superannuation – the government needs it more than you.
24.  Home Savers Grant - a fizzer, not enough people saving
25.  First home Owners grant – increased, not aimed to generate building, inflating house prices
26.  One Stop Super Childcare Centres
27.  GP Super Clinics - $275 million borrowed – 1 open Palmerston NT, ALP stronghold – FAIL, 3 approved SA – Noarlunga, Playford North, Modbury , all ALP safe seats
28.  No compulsory University Union Fees – an outright lie voted down
29.  Worker Share Options, June 2009 – on, off, on, off, on like a light switch – blunder

D'oh says:

10:45am | 14/01/10

Part 2:

30.  Carbon emissions reduction - LPG conversion subsidies being phased out l – June 2009
31.  Carbon Emissions reduction Part 2 - Household Solar Rebate axed 9/6
32.  Schools Stimulus/? Infrastructure Program – Subject to AG inquiry.
33.  Ruddbank
34.  Federal takeover of hospitals by mid 2009 if no improvement. – EPIC FAIL
35.  Reduce consultancies by $112 million = increase to $800 million (6354 consultancies)
36.  Govt will pay small business invoices on time = takes a lot longer
37.  No nuclear Waste Dump NT – election promise – broken June 2008
38.  $15 million to rural research & development corporations – election promise – broken May 2008.
39.  A - E reporting on childcare standards & universal pre-school for 4 year olds – election promise – broken June 2009
40.  ALP Uranium Policy/stance – in tatters.  Garrett approves uranium mine.
41.  Diplomacy – Japan – biggest customer – FAIL.  India – Uranium contract – FAIL .  USA – conversations (real/imaginary) released to media. China, May 2009 – “difficult to deal with” Australia led Asia Pacific Body – thud.
42.  Boost funding for aboriginal Legal Aid – lie – actuality = cuts to funding in first budget.
43.  Scale back Intervention – ignored review recommendations.
44.  Homes /renovations for indigenous – not one shovel lifted to date
45.  Digital TV –Conroy, 2008, slash $22m from costs of changeover, figures make no sense – original estimate $16m now to cost $66m
46.  Cheaper Better Childcare – Govt regulations will see Childcare costs going up by about $1500pa on July 1, 2010
47.  SORRY! Feb 8, 08. K Rudd
“We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.”
Aug 22, 09 The Australian
“WELFARE workers have swooped on the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge in northwest NSW, removing more than 40 Aboriginal children from decrepit homes in shanty towns….....
Aboriginal women, stunned by the removals, say it amounts to a “modern-day Stolen Generation”, but the most recent statistics on child removals show Aboriginal children are being taken from their parents in numbers much greater than the Stolen Generations.”
48.  Skills Program, Sept 2009, The Australian – “Kevin Rudd’s $2bn skills plan in disarray”
49.  More affordable Housing – October 2009 – prices forecast to go up 20%
50.  Cheaper Books for Australians – back flip to protectionist policies
51.  ETS, Versions 1&2;–FAIL senate.
52.  2007 Rudd promises a new era in cooperation between Federal Government & States. 2009 Rudd loses patience with NSW ALP, Qld Traveston dam.
53.  Copenhagen conference - EPIC FAIL – CLASSIC COMEDY
54.  “Ian McPhedran July 26, 2009 11:00pm
WHEN it comes to chalking up VIP jet bills, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Governor-General Quentin Bryce leave their predecessors in a $5.8 million wake.
During the six months from June to December last year, the PM Kevin Rudd and Governor-General Quentin Bryce team hit a record of $17.2 million in taxpayer-funded VIP flights – which equals $716,000-a-week.” – Kevin Rudd – Our “Stay at home prime minister”
55.  Relaxed restrictions on foreign ownership elevate house prices.
56.  FOI review/results. – Open and transparent government promised 2007 by 2009 promise = increased FOI requests and increased rejections of same = markedly increased secretive Government.
57.  Blunder – superannuation cuts for ADF personnel.  Combet claims difficulty in straitened times = tough luck.
58.  “Obscene” homelessness numbers = War on Homelessness = increased Homeless numbers for 2010.

EPIC FAIL!!!

I would want to hid too.

Old Bert says:

10:51am | 14/01/10

There’s an old axiom that says if the show runs without you too long, you’re dispensable, or words to that effect. Well, now that Hillary isn’t coming now, Mr Rudd ought to get off his arse, and do something useless, anything. Thankyou.

Timmo says:

11:05am | 14/01/10

Well, thanks Deliah, Phil and Q.E.D. for your comments on my venomous note, and well appreciated they are, at least a response is good in debate and I would like to thank Pete from Sydney who read and agreed on a few points I made. Maybe sometimes we have to vent the old spleen and I thank “The Punch”, for considering my letter. Now, I think that as the Prime Minister, Kevin is entitled to a christmas break as I would think that his Job would be a very difficult one, after all Australian Politics would be one of the Dirtiest in the Business. But we must remember that these days if they fart in Europe or Asia or the Americas it definately in time will affect us all here. This Sub-Prime con was supported by Howard and his Ministers as well as the rest of the world and the impact of the Global Recession which has come out of it hasn’t hit us properly yet. I think Rudd has helped in a way to stave that off by giving some of the Money Back and of course this has been applied by other Countries as well. And I think that they have been influenced by Rudds Decision. So other World Leaders are Listening to Rudd. The Labour Party have some very good people in there such as Gillard, and Wong to name a couple. I might remind people that in John Howards reign he spent a lot of time overseas as well, and then there was the Spending of Tax Payers Money on Liberal Party Advertisements for the promotion of Themselves as an Entity. But I must confess to being an Idealist and what i call a utopian. I don’t believe in Borders, walls, racism and even fences that promote isolationism. The world belongs to all of us and we were born here and are here. We should be free to travel anywhere and live anywhere we chose as long as we can contribute something to our families, friends and neighbours in an unconditional way. All the concepts of being Australian which by the way is not a race but a place or a Frenchman, German, Italian, asian or whatever should be dropped and everyone accepted as being equal. If this could happen maybe we could enter an age of peace and tolerance. But you know the problem is we still have the old Monkey Glands there. Sorry to insult the Monkeys. But there you are. And you know it’s not just all about you guys it’s about me as well. And really an opinion is only an opinion after all. So let’s just all settle down and have a nice day shall we, while there’s still one left to have. And good luck to you all. So, over and out, ten four and Blah Blah from me.

Roger says:

11:56am | 14/01/10

Timmo - you lost me after the Catholic line - you are a bigot. On last count 30% of the Australian population is Catholic - save the religious defamation. However if you are such an atheist, head out to Lakemba and tell the locals what you think of Islam too? Hmmmm I don’t think you will.

Wombat says:

12:09pm | 14/01/10

Phil: I don’t think that Timmo was referring to the short, spectacularly successful Iraq war of 1990.
Let’s call that Hawke’s War.
I’m pretty sure he was referring to the stupid, never-ending and spectacularly unsuccessful Iraq war that was started in 2003.
Let’s call that Howard’s War.
If we could all just call these two events by these names (ie Hawke’s War and Howard’s War) then hopefully there will be less confusion about it in the future.

Timmo says:

12:13pm | 14/01/10

To D’oh, well you are possibly right with what you have written there and gee talk about venting the old spleen you’re even better than me and good luck to you at least we are getting it out of our minds. Hey this may stave off the Cancer, Diabetes and Alzhiemers that we are all bound to get according to the pundits. So it is good to get it out of our systems even for that reason. Yes’ you are right too that many promises have not come to fruition but as we know both sides fail in that regard. I am not an avid Labour or Liberal supporter and fairly non political really but I understand that everyone has their stance on different matters. But if you read what I wrote above you will see my position. Australia has become the land of no can do, too expensive to live in and I know the old argument will be that it’s more expensive in other countries. We crow loudly about our egalatarion society and how great we are, greater than everybody and how we care but I look next to my place and see 6foot high fences everywhere. I say hello to my neighbours if I see them out and about but apart from that, nothing much really happens I think because of economic differences. I see people walking around some smiling and happy and others that look like they’re ready to fall over. You look at many people and smile and they just look back with mistrust and dead eyes. I mean the Doctors Surgeries are full and the old Chemists are doing a roaring trade. Instead of looking forward to a wonderful old age many will just end up ill and infirm. So these issues are important to me,you and many others and the reason being that we will all get old one day. The one thing they can’t control is time which is ticking away right now for all of us. In 100 years everyone who living today will be dead and they will have been replaced by more of us. How much can the Planet stand before collapsing. This is where the focus should be, on good health into old age and happiness don’t you think?. And, what has this got to do with politicians?, well, are the cause of most of it. i’m sure. I hope you will agree at least on that.

Macon Paine says:

12:13pm | 14/01/10

@ Timmo 8:12am

Wow what a rant! You put poor old T. Chong to shame! Seriously mate put down your copy of “Green Left Weekly” for 5 mins and step back into reality with the rest of us.
The OP is not about the real and perceived blunders of John Howard and the Liberals, the OP is about Kevin Rudd going AWOL and failing to live up to the expectations he set.
Most of your rant is just irrelevant with red herrings aplenty (children overboard, waterside workers being attacked by dogs, what does the Iraq war and bush and blair have to do with the article?), ad hominen attacks (what does Abbott’s catholicism have to do with anything? and should Catholics be banned from holding the office of PM?), appeals to emotion (your grandchildren never owning their own homes) but I was particularly struck by was this paragraph:
“Well Political People out there pretty soon this old Mother Earth is going to shake us all off like a dog with fleas. Yes, the Fleas of the Earth will be eliminated and that will be the only good thing that has happened in the last 200years. Hope you’re in the Right Place at the Right time. Now that will give you Journos something really good to write about, so good luck to all of you, and no, sorry, your God won’t save you.”
So do you honestly see the rest of humanity (not you and associated goofs of course) as little more than blood sucking parasites? You believe humanity are the “fleas of the earth” and will be “eliminated” which “will be the only good thing that has happened in the last 200 years”?
Come on Timmo either your fishing, or your clearly off your dial. If it’s the latter there is a drug called seroquel, perhaps you should ask your doctor if it’s right for you.

Mick In The Hills says:

12:19pm | 14/01/10

The answer : Timmo is 17.

Simon the Pieman says:

12:26pm | 14/01/10

Children’s books indeed, never thought I’d see the day when the primeministership of Australia is just a marketing opportunity to sell some products.  Can’t wait for Kev’s exercise machine at only 4 easy payments.

Gordy from Orange says:

12:27pm | 14/01/10

“Sandy says:02:30pm | 13/01/10
He’s been preparing himself for his photo shoots with Hilary Clinton next week”

What is Kev to do now that Hilary has stood him up and not coming to Oz. Probably extend the holiday till the next photo op or phone stalk a few famous people. 
He is probably on the phone now to Barack offering to pop over to Washington to assist with the Haiti problem.  “Baz, nothing happening here, how about I drop in for a cuppa and I can bring my new book. It’s a great read and if you are good I will even autograph it for you”

Tim Clark says:

01:02pm | 14/01/10

To Roger , Well if you think I am a Bigot, so be it and i will take that on board without offence as you obiously have’nt.  An Athiest Roger is not necessarally a person who doesn’t believe in a Creative process of a God but the Athiest just asks the Believers for proof in the existence of a God as there is no proof of a God and you just can’t make it up as you go along as they have done. I am not an Athiest but an Agnostic who says that ” IF IS IT IS AND IF IT ISN’T IT ISN’T and that my friend keeps me out of spiritual Danger. Cultism, and I quote here the Maquarie Dictionary which is the University Edition taught to all peoples is described as follows:  1 ” A particular system of religious worship,esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies. 2 an instance of an almost religious veneration for a person or thing, esp as manifested by a body of admirers: a cult of napoleon 3. the object of such devotion. 4 a popular fashon; fad. [ L cultus care, worship] - cultism n - cultist n. “. Now, that’s what they say as authorities on the language called English and that is the meaning they give. So there you go, all upset over nothing. So read further as you only got to there and read the other things I wrote. Now as far as my experience goes as a child I attended the Catholic Primary School although I was not a Catholic they allowed me to attend from 11 yrs to 16 yrs of age till the Scholarship Exam. My mother had to pay fees as in those days there was no government assistance for religious schools as there is today. Some of my cousins were Catholics and I had been in Hospital for over a year paralysed with Bulbar polio. They said prayers for me and I recovered and asked my Mother if I could attend there out of respect for their efforts and that Jesus had saved me. I was 11 years of age and had been brought up in the Christian Church. I studied and Practiced the Mass, The Benediction, The Bible and Missal while there and became very devout in myself, not towards the Religion but a realization of inner light. But I will tell you here that the Sisters of Mercy who were my teachers showed no Mercy with the old cane. Caned for nothing and Brutalized. So you see after that experience and some attempt to interfere with my family i lost my faith in the Religion ,although the Religious experience was the most enjoyable part and helped me to the mental anguish obviously associated with that type of behaviour by them, the Nuns. So there you are. My article I wrote was in reference to how Religious Points of view will predominate over the population as it does with political decisions made by people of that ilk and puts aside the viewpoints of the others. So go and read again beyond your stopping point. You can’t really make an informed comment if you haven’t read the whole article carefully, now can you. ! ?

Francis Forbes says:

01:05pm | 14/01/10

@ D’oh

You make a good point I never realise how much hasnt actually been achieved.  I mean it took Howard 10 years not to do that much. Rudd is a far better PM.

But seriously it rather shocking, I voted Rudd to achieve some of the things Howard seemed to ignore.  I was really disappointed in the Stolen Generation and they they will not be compensated for there grief.  Even the Aboriginal Housing the interverntion and lack of human rights. I can tell you now I though Howard was no friend of the original owners but Rudd worse he pretends to care and achieve real results but it has amounted to nothing than hot air, PR statements and media releases. Shame on you Mr Rudd

The Old Salt says:

01:10pm | 14/01/10

You’re doing a backflip, Tory?  A backflip leaves you facing the same way you were before the acrobatic exercise. As a retired journalist, I spent years trying to convince my colleagues that when they said (insert politician’s name) had done a backflip (changed his/her mind), what they really meant was that they had done an about-turn, not a backflip. A backflip suggests to me you haven’t changed your mind, just looked at the question from another point of view but still retained your orignal opinion.

Phil says:

01:10pm | 14/01/10

Pete

I was having a go at Timmo’s comments that Kids couldnt afford homes. I agree that home ownership is possible even in Sydney. Hey it might not be a McMansion in Double Bay first up but as I said a good education calculated risks and keeping at it and it should happen. 

The Maritime Union of Australia were thugs who would not reform the waterfront. Doing what they did whether we like it or not helped Australia to now have a more competitive waterfront. Our international reputation was poor from years of strikes/criminal activity and thuggery. Chris Corrigan should get an award for having the balls to take them on.

Do not Pub Security Guards have dogs, as do the police. The MUA would have used force to remain on the job, training others to do the job was the only way to combat this. Given the long drawn out debate about how you cant move more than 15 containers an hour and the new kids on the block immediately got this to 25 case dismissed.

By the way Pete, how many workers were attacked by the dogs? Dont remember hearing of any shredded bludgers during this time!

And for all the pro unionists out there ever wondered why the unions dont use their members money to buy businesses so they can pay these huge rises they request and provide the go slows. Thats right cause they would go broke in a heartbeat.

Thats the problem with socialism “eventually other peoples money will run out” Rudd is yet to learn this one. By the way I didnt get a Kev 950 nor did my wife, but a lot of very rich Multi Millionaires I know did. What a joke.

The mining boom assisted, but if the waterfront wasnt reformed this may not have had the same impact. Its also called getting out there and doing a good job of selling Australia. Hayke and Keating did this and Howard continued.

By the way I would imagine that taxes from mining would have not dropped that much. Its general companies and the fact that many workers now are doing less hours that is hurting the revenue.

By the way most of the debt was payed off before the mining boom.

Deliah says:

01:11pm | 14/01/10

@D’oh. Those are impressive lists you have produced. The whaling issue aside, I am particularly disturbed by the seemingly increased lack of accountability of the current government. Not acknowledging correspondence from voters is the height of arrogance and rudeness. Such an attitude will not be tolerated by the electorate. I expect to see some changes in the poll numbers.

Nathan says:

01:42pm | 14/01/10

Pete from Sydney, You say the Mioning boom set Australia up. Well sure this was a worldwide boom but don’t you think Mr John Howard assisted Australia in cashing in? You complain about the waterfront dispute but at the end of the day how is the coal exported? Yep via ships from our ports. I doubt Australia would have been this well off if the wharfies had a strike every 2nd week due to a papercut.

PJ says:

02:09pm | 14/01/10

A note to Kevin. When you emasculate your Governments policies with an almost tortuous spin;——you end up in a mess;—-exactly where you find yourself now . The Labor party cannot handle losere.So beware “THE IDES OF MARCH”.

D'oh says:

02:10pm | 14/01/10

And no, I am not a Liberal staffer H of SA.

Just a concerned Australian.

D'oh says:

02:16pm | 14/01/10

@ Pete:

“And by the way, the Liberals didn’t set us up, the on-going mineral boom did, they were very lucky to be in the middle of it”

If the Libs can’t take credit due to the mining boom, what excuse have NSW & QLD got??  Oh that’s right, both Labor state governments…..

Timmo says:

02:19pm | 14/01/10

To Maron Paine, Well you are right in a way about my writings there and no doubt me having to be put in my place is a good learning experience for me and also tells me a little bit about you and what you stand for as well. Works both ways you know and isn’t that great. I sure have stirred up the old haccles of a few of you out there in Punch Space. I do tend to waffle off the subject a bit but the article was about, ” Where is Kevin”, and I did say that he was taking a well deserved holiday. After all, The parliament has rested for the xmas break as we have and I’m sure that we all have had a nice time with our families and Grandkids and Kev is probably doing that too. Isn’t he allowed to do that?. The rest of what I wrote, well I don’t care what you do with it but do you realize that the nature is collapsing around us and many still refuse to accept it. As far as the flea thing goes I was referring to the fact that there are too many people on this planet and the Planets resources are running out and we will be thrown off like fleas on a dog because the ecosystem will undergo an adustment.. These adjustments are happening as we speak. The Haitians will tell you about it as that’s what’s happening there at the moment. A terrible Tradegy for those people. The people from Ache and Sri Lanka and India also at an earlier time.It hasn’t happened to us yet and of course I don’t wish it too.  But you can make what you like of that bit of ranting from me, but remember there are a lot of other ranters like me out there, eminent scientists etc. etc. so they must be also in the pot with me. But remember Maron, when the obvious enviromental shift hits the planet you are going to be involved whether you like it or not unless you’re going to live on Mars or Jupiter. So a Einstien said, ” Everything is Relative”. Nothing in this world happens in isolation with anything else maron. Take a piss in the ocean and it will have an effect on the other side of the world. Go and try it out, find something that will measure it and see if I’m right. Now that Drug Soroqual sounds really interesting. You wrote very clearly about its great benefits obviously you have tried it. Did it work for you? But you are right. What does this all have to do with whether Tony Abbott is a Catholic. I don’t know but it certainly pulled a bit of shite out of your liver as the Irish would say. I hope that you are feeling better and have a good life you old thing you.

banjo says:

02:31pm | 14/01/10

If Kevin737 is not all over the media for the first time ever, it may be that his apparatchiks in the Harris gang et al decided that he had best lie low to avoid scrutiny over the Copenhagen ego trip.  They were probably also hoping that Abbott would say something that could be remixed and worked up into the usual krudd hypocritical response.

They were wrong on both counts, and so more and more people are now seeing that the real St Kevin has feet of clay as well as a tongue to match.

H of SA says:

02:45pm | 14/01/10

On the point of criticising the ALP’s homeless policy I think I have to say this is unfair. Since Rudd’s white paper millions of dollars in extra funding for homeless programs has been released, additionally large parts of the stimulus package have been set aside for builidng housing for the homeless - boosting the economy and providing more housing for the homeless.

As one policy worker in the area told me - they have never had this much money to work with before (though I dare say its still not enough)

there have been some dissapointing aspects of the first tirm - failure to raise the tone of the refugee debate comes to mind, excessive number of media managers is another.  But homeless policy has been one the commonwealth governments strong points this term.

I dare say the reason for increased numbers of homeless is due to the extra pressures caused by the GFC (try being a single mum and keeping up paying the rent once the business you work for has to cut down staff hours).

H of SA says:

02:52pm | 14/01/10

Oh and anti-catholosism is a criticism of Abbot I don’t have much time for either. At least he is open about this and his personal values are very clear. With most Pollies their personal beliefs are fairly close to their chest - I think its good Abbot and Rudd are upfront about being men of faith - we can understand better who we are voting for.

Its really hard to reconcile professed values of tolerance, multiculturalism with anti-religious bigatory - It must be a difficult internal division to maintain. How can a person profess tolerance yet hate the religious? There is an inherent irony in criticisng a religious group for being intollerant.

Pete from Sydney says:

03:20pm | 14/01/10

Phil, just because you write long notes doesn’t make it right…what I was saying was that the use of dogs and guards with balaclavas was disgraceful, and that won’t change.

On deficits, they’re cyclical, a bit like governments Phil…

what kills me is the only one talking socialism is you Phil, Rudd’s as socialist as me…fairness is a different story, You reckon our reputation was poor due to the docks, our reputation as a compassionate country is shot, the children overboard and the various anti-refugee policies, the Dr Haneef affair, the screw ups with detainees have shredded it. Howard and co appealed to the lowest common denominator, Abbott is more than likely to repeat the same.

Max Power says:

03:38pm | 14/01/10

Have to disagree with you H.
I think the critcism of his homeless policy is well deserved. Sure he has increased funding, but he with the help of his state labor buddies have also increased the cost of living. So whilst the funding has increased, so have the number of homeless due to the massive increases in the cost of living, despite his promise to put downward pressure on the cost of living.
So yes he is giving with the left hand, but he and his Labor state buddies are taking more from Australian’s with the right hand. God help Australian’s if Rudd gets the ETS through, there will be a further increase in the number of homeless.

Phil says:

04:05pm | 14/01/10

Pete

The waterfront had to happen. If not the mining boom could not have occurred. After all how does it leave our shores, thats right by ships loaded at our ports!

Some wharfies were probably hard workers, just not many. The rorts they got away with were just not on, as with the MUA and no one had the guts pre Corrigan to have a go at fixing the solution. They now function 40+% better with the mostly the same workforce who previously could not get things done fast. How do you explain the sudden increase in productivity? Doubt I will get an answer for this one.

Do you believe Union Thugs would just down tools and peacefully walk off the job. NO DIDNT THINK SO. As for balaclavas, well unions have never threatened or intimidated anyone have they!

Talk of defecits being cyclical is easy for you labor lot after all youve never paid the debt off. I dont as such have a problem with spending but the waste called stimulus was just a grab for votes and and wealth redistribution, and I dont care that I didnt get Kev’s 950. After all I would rather work hard and earn more than need it. What should have occurred was long term infrastructure not wastes. Most I know that got Pink Batts could have easily afforded them but were to bloody lazy to look in their roof before it was free.

You want fairness. So how is allowing queue jumpers with money priority over those in refugee camps access to Australia and those without not. You would be rightly up in arms if we both presented our child to emergency and if I offered a bribe to the hospital my child lived and yours died. Thats how it is with queue jumpers. By the way is it 4 or 5 boats so far this year? Personally I think we should get tough on visa stayers and illegals and send them all home with the bill to do so, but in turn incease our genuine not economic refugee intake accordingly.

I have travelled extensively and speak to many from around the world each week. No one has ever mentioned the children overboard affair which by the way was never proven either way. And we all know they would never threaten harm would they, opps sorry forgot those that held a customs vessel hijack for 4 weeks and those that dileberately blew their own boat up! Nor has anyone ever mentioned Dr Haneef.

Joe says:

04:19pm | 14/01/10

I’m so glad he isn’t around with all his smugness. He can keep it for his A list yuppie mates at his harbour side parties.

He is trying hard to dodge anything to do with the stink of the ETS I think.

H of SA says:

04:24pm | 14/01/10

Fair points Mr. Power (cool name btw),

I guess you could call it an artificial seperation in my mind between homeless policy and cost of living. However I think the stimuls package -which most commentators seem to have given the thumbs up - was a good government intervention to keep us able to work as much as possible in a GFC, thus being able to pay bills.

I too would like to see a drop in groceries, rent and petrol (I work part time most of the year so I feel the squeeze keenly). However to my mind, with the lack of competition in groceries the only way to fight this is increased regulation of Coles and Woolies - and I just don’t see the Liberals doing more regulation than the ALP as it is something they are philisophically oppossed to.

On petrol, it seems the whole world is getting screwed on this one not sure what Oz can do.

On renting costs the only thing seems to be easing housing pressure, which I think the afforementioned housing development will help with - as will the ALP policy of bonuses to builders of smaller cheaper housing. It will take time though and I would certainly like to see more action in this area (particularly as I plan to buy sometime in the next few years and am renting currently)

tc says:

05:07pm | 14/01/10

We might also point out that the mining boom has not ended.

Kev however has manfully spent all that pesky money that was jamming up the place. Not content with spring cleaning the coffers, he’s bravely maxed out credit card to ensure the influence of his leadership will be felt for generations to come.

He must be exhausted after all that shopping. Does he take a rest? Noooo! Kev’s a workaholic. He’s gone straight to work on his memoires “The Great Australia Day Kerfuffle”. Now he can rest

Gary Cox says:

07:18pm | 14/01/10

@H of SA. Sentance. Says it all really. Funny actually.

fed up says:

07:20pm | 14/01/10

I feel the same way about Rudd as I felt about Howard - it’s just taken Rudd much less time to make me very very annoyed.
Why do we allow Australia to be run by fools?
Why don’t Australians demand better?
Does anyone else think there must be a better solution to this two party merry go round in Australian politics?
I see things getting worse and worse - no matter who is in power.

Sunnyboy says:

07:37pm | 14/01/10

Oh poor Mr Rudd history will not be kind to ypur leadership legacy….....

Macon Paine says:

08:06pm | 14/01/10

@ Timmo 3:19pm.

Look im not saying you cant have your opinion heard, infact I think you’ll make a colourful addition to the punch, nor am I trying to put you in your place. I was simply trying to point out that alot of what you said has no relevance to the article.
You do make a few good points about the Iraq war blunder, children overboard, the cost of home ownership, the planets resources/overpopulation (although the flea thing was very poorly articulated) and the potential for humanity to change the planets eco-system but to be honest there is a time and a place for those arguments and in response to an article critical of Kevin Rudd (yes I agree he is entitled to time off, he’s not called Kevin 24/7 for nothing!) doesn’t seem like the right time or place.  Anyway have a nice day.

Brian says:

09:31pm | 14/01/10

The difficulty with Mr Rudd is that, when he is on holiday, government stops, because he is not around to micromanage anything but, when he is at work, government stops, while the work piles up on his desk while he micromanages everything.

I know where Rud is says:

10:13pm | 14/01/10

He’s out for a smoko, while Abbott is sniffing his vine. nuk, nuk, nuk!!

6clegs says:

11:36pm | 14/01/10

Be glad when any politician takes a holiday, and let the country run itself for a few weeks.

During the boom [howard years] I reckon I could’ve run the country, and it would’ve done just as well.

I would also like to add that whenever anyone bags the 2 Apologies, YOU also bag the very deserving people who were apologised to. (I am 1 of them; and it’s like a girly-punch to the gut.) I’m very glad for the people who’ve never had to have anyone else apologise for a past wrong; it must be a loverly world you inhabit ?

Some of you party staffers need to get out there in the real world, cos maties, you haven’t a clue! Abbot and his (newest) policies are as about as welcome as a does of Clap.

Timmo says:

05:16am | 15/01/10

Dear Macon, Thanks for you reply and the courtesy of it. I do agree with you over the flea thing. Maybe you are right towards that. I probably was a bit passionate there and I hope people were not offended by that but it was just a way to put something not to call us fleas but like fleas. I have nothing against Tony Abbott so it would seem unfair to make those comments but he is not in the Job Yet and if as most of the commentators are saying that Rudd is not worthy of the Job then they can vote him out next Time and if Tony Abbott gets it then we will find out his capabilities after he gets in. Let’s hope that whatever they they do is more fair an equal for all. And yes the Punch is a good medium for discussion and I did get away from the original subject matter a bit there and maybe better for another forum. You have a good life too and thanks for your pulling me up there. I can see your point regarding that.

D'oh says:

09:50am | 15/01/10

@6clegs:

“During the boom [howard years] I reckon I could’ve run the country, and it would’ve done just as well.”

I would like to see you try.  Just look at the state of the Labor states.  Believe it or now, they were actually here during the mining boom.  Perfect case of good economic management and bad economic management.

“I would also like to add that whenever anyone bags the 2 Apologies, YOU also bag the very deserving people who were apologised to.”

Apologies are indeed important, but all talk and no walk makes them shallow and hollow.  That would be the real “girly-punch to the gut” for me.

“Some of you party staffers need to get out there in the real world, cos maties, you haven’t a clue!”

For all these accusations about party staffers, I am beginning to think some of the accusers are actually the accused.

Seth Brundle says:

12:05pm | 15/01/10

I helped vote Kev 747 in, and I can’t wait to vote him out.

Lana says:

01:56pm | 15/01/10

Where’s Kevin Rudd? Who Cares, it’s been nice listening to Tony Abbott. I hope Rudd never comes back.

6clegs says:

02:27pm | 15/01/10

To “D’oh”,—- so you think micro-managing, which the PM is so often accused of, is a good thing?

As to me running the country; there are so many checks and balances in place, so many other Ministers doing their job that I think a lot of you think the job is more difficult than it is. Being able to read/comprehend copious reports, ability for long working days, being able to delegate, and being at ease and knowing ones subject in front of the media are the prerequisites for the job I should think.  OH, and being able to keep a team on the same page—So yes, I would have a go at it. But I think i’ll stick to training Sport horses and equestrians - theres more money in it and the horses don’t analyze every minor detail of my being on the internet (their owners on the other hand, well… ).

luke says:

02:46pm | 15/01/10

Kevin’s been found, I saw Kevin, commentating on cricket in Hobart on Channel Nine. Memo to Rudd, asylum seekers, river murray, whaling, Tony Abbott now preferred PM. Your are found to be wanting or do I mean missing.

D'oh says:

02:55pm | 15/01/10

@6clegs, when you put it like that, I would definitely stick with the Sports horses too!!

“being at ease and knowing ones subject in front of the media”

Just like the infamous ‘firm but fair policy’??

“OH, and being able to keep a team on the same page”

Remarkable comment considering Rudd’s staff turnover rates.

jones says:

11:08am | 16/01/10

the less we see of him the better…. I can’t wait to see the back of him and the rest of the waffling weasles… it is just all smoke and mirrors, lies, deception, blame shifting, more reviews and management by committee… but it is good to see the old industrial strikes back!! weren’t we supposed to be modernising our IR system? ALP, what a pack of losers.

gazza says:

03:23pm | 16/01/10

Old Jellybacks gone missing. Probably on a secret mission to China with the wife to secure dealings that will set them up for life after politics once we all throw him out at the next election.

Not even a message for Haiti victims. Hillary cancelled her trip for gods sake..

Kevin Rude has got to be the most arrogant, self serving, hot headed, derogatory twit we’re ever seen. Australia’s George Bush.

Good example of a nerd with a giant ego.

A picture says a thousand words says:

06:05pm | 16/01/10

Kevin Rudd allows a photo opportunity of his grinning face, laughing at all the suckers who voted for him. No interview or comments allowed. I think it is shameful that the only time the PM appears in the news is to promote himself instead of fronting the media/ people of Australia to answer questions about his trip to Copenhagen and to offer condolences and aid to the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. Obviously, nothing is more important to Mr Rudd than Mr Rudd.

Phil says:

07:44am | 17/01/10

Apparently he was at the cricket. After all John Howard went to the cricket as a cricket tragic, so Kevvy’s gotta follow to appear normal.

No word on Haiti yet from Rudd. Mind you he would be busy with all the Cate Blanchet BBQ’s and all.

ON Jane McGrath’s day at the cricket he had to be in the spot light could not have stood in the background and let Glenn soak up the atmosphere on Janes day.

Arbib must be proud of Kev’s spin and media manipulation.

Starchamber says:

02:28pm | 17/01/10

Wheres Wuddy

nora scott says:

02:31pm | 21/04/10

i for one hope he goes missing for ever i have never seen such a agorant up himself show pony worse primister ever hope people are happy they put mungle there bet he gets in again people are so stupid he sweet talk them with his lies they beleive and do nothing everything he touched gone up in smoke dudd the one we dont want god help us

nora scott says:

10:06am | 29/05/10

i hope rudd goes missing for ever also never seen such a usless primister we have small business and every thing gone to stand still since labor been in no one has money to spend this show pony ripped all money out people and keep putting prices up never been worse off at least howard had every thing running nice and smooth that wasnt good enough for you idiots had to have change you certainly got that i said day the mungles got in god help us think we have to go through what keating put us through 11 years ago people have short memories