She's Called It

PM Julia Gillard v. Tony Abbott

Labor Leader & Liberal Leader

Not one to ever be a political pundit, I had to comment on the biggest news in Australia. It’s been a short-lived premiership and Australia’s PM of 3 weeks (she assumed office at the end of June 2010) has called an election for August 21st. This is somewhat peculiar to me.

Not quite familiar with the parliamentary system with exception to flashes of Comparative Politics AP (thank you Mr. Greer), I know that the leaders of the two leading federal parties, Labor and Liberal, will be going head to head for the biggest seat in the government.

What I don’t understand is, why now? If you have your cake, why tempt to give it away? The only reason I could find is that the Australian government must have a general election every 3 years when there is a change of power in the parliament. In this case, Gillard, who was never elected, but appointed because former PM Kevin Rudd stepped down, must now have an election for the sake of democracy.

According to weekend polls, this contest is pretty split. 52% of the public favor Labor while 48% favor Liberal. However, the story is different in terms of who the public favors as their PM. 55% of the public favor Labor leader and current PM Julia Gillard against a 32% rating for Liberal leader Tony Abbott. All I know is that whichever side wins the majority, their leader takes the premiership.

Some of the core issues, more like buzz topics, are education, climate change and refugees (or asylum seekers as the media calls them). Julia Gillard tried to persuade East Timor’s president to allow Australia to create a detention center there. Questions loomed of who will pay for it and who will govern it circulated the minds of tax-paying Australians. One town in the state of Victoria wants to house the asylum seekers by creating their own detention center to improve their economy. Does that mean that they intend on giving these people jobs? Without proper citizenship, won’t they be treated like second-class citizens, a form of slave labor? Aside from the circular reasoning, the reason why they want to bring in the asylum seekers is that rural life is hard right now. The news reports that Australia is heading into a 3% budget surplus. Urban areas are doing great, but what about those drought-driven farmers in the rural areas? Employment is high in the urban areas, but extremely low in the rural areas, thus affecting productivity and the economy of the interior. It’s a double-sided coin really. Rural areas are at times even giving favorable treatment to immigrants for farm work allowing for them to earn much more than they would in their home countries, but these farmers are discounting Aussie residents or even Working Holiday Visa holders from the opportunity to earn some cash and extend their visa.

*Working Holiday Visa allows outsiders to work in Australia for a year, but cannot work under one employer for more than 6 months. It is a visa meant for travelers who want to earn more money while they travel. I have said visa, but am seeking permanent residency through company sponsorship.

With this 5 week campaign underway, I watch the news anticipating the next mud-slinging political antic. First on the agenda is each side’s campaign slogan.

Labor: Let’s Move Australia Forward Together

Liberal: Stand Up For Australia

Abbott attacks Gillard for her party's slogan because it infers that Abbott will take Australia backward. Furthermore, he thinks the slogan assumes voters are simple-minded or stupid. Does that mean Abbott thinks the Australian public is a bunch of handicaps?

Despite the accusations, they both know this will be a tough fight. Gillard wants "a robust election campaign" because she believes that "election campaigns should test their leaders." Abbott affirms that he would face a "filthy campaign."

*Quotes in courtesy of the Herald Sun

The Abbott Family Parody
It Compares the Liberal Party to a Creepy Distrustful Family

Kevin O'Lemon Liberal Party Ad

It Compare Former Labor PM to a Lemon

A lot of commercials have shown anti-Abbott infomercials because he apparently cut $1 billion from hospitals and is a "liar" when it comes to work choices or union capabilities. These below-the-belt classless ads are my favorite part of this whole celebration of he-said she-said.

Another hot topic is the rise in income for PMs. What’s interesting is Gillard has yet to comment. I think they’re all filthy rich politicians who want more of our tax money.

*As a non-resident, 29% of my income for my first 6 months goes to the government. Then, I give 15% until I leave.

The deadline to get on the electoral role is 8pm Monday July 19th. Of the 20 million citizens of Australia, 1.4 million aren’t enrolled. This doesn’t leave much time for the last-minute crowd. She calls the election on Saturday and expects 1.4 million people to get on the role by Monday night? Even the electoral commission didn’t get a heads up. At least the U.S. allows its citizens to register up to 20-30 days (dependent on the State) before an election or primary.

On a lighter side, Tony Abbott loves working out and promises to teach surfing lessons. Each has gone all over Australia and kissed hundreds of babies.

Beyond what each party is saying pro their party or anti the opposition, the biggest concern for Australian residents right now is the debate on Sunday July 25th. Apparently, Gillard and Abbott are participating in a public televised debate on the same night and the same time-slot as the Master Chef Australia finale! Media speculation asserts that broadcasters will move the debate one hour earlier to appease the public and capture viewers. What will the public tune to? My money is on higher ratings for the cooking show. Can you believe the power of cooking show?