Redheaded ex-Socialist woman now Prime Minister

[topsywaldron]

And the country still hasn't spontaneously combusted after twelve hours with her in charge.

And to think they said Browyn Bishop would be our first female PM. LMAO.

[Psyber]

"Acting" please ... probably in more ways than the obvious one.

[bulldogproud]

Not only that, but she is a South Aussie girl!!

[Leaping Lindner]

First time I woman has ever been in charge of the country!!!!!......well apart from Janette Howard

[bulldogproud]

Leaping Lindner, if we can count George Bush as a bit of a girl, then a female ran Australia pretty much through the Howard times (even without Jeanette). Howard was a puppet after all.

[smac]

Leaping Lindner, if we can count George Bush as a bit of a girl, then a female ran Australia pretty much through the Howard times (even without Jeanette). Howard was a puppet after all.

My turn to LMAO.

Rudd's his own man is he?

[Punk Rooster]

Leaping Lindner, if we can count George Bush as a bit of a girl, then a female ran Australia pretty much through the Howard times (even without Jeanette). Howard was a puppet after all.

My turn to LMAO.

Rudd's his own man is he?

Agree Smac- if Bush is the puppet master, then whoever is Prime Minister is the puppet!

[bulldogproud]

Well, Rudd has the fortitude to go against Bush on Kyoto and on withdrawing troops. Two of the biggest 'puppet acts' now gone.
Cheers

[smac]

I wasn't referring to the influence (real or perceived) of Bush.

I was referring to influences more local. If you believe he is making as many of these choices for himself as he says then, once again, LMAO.

[bulldogproud]

Well, tell me a Prime Minister who would have made every single decision without consulting anyone? I think Rudd is wise to take the viewpoint of his Cabinet and constituents into account.
Cheers

[smac]

Well, tell me a Prime Minister who would have made every single decision without consulting anyone? I think Rudd is wise to take the viewpoint of his Cabinet and constituents into account.
Cheers

I am perhaps being too obtuse? I wasn't referring to them either.

[bulldogproud]

If you are referring to Mike Rann, then you are being very insular. It is only people in South Australia who believe there is any connection there.

[smac]

Nope, not him either.

[bulldogproud]

Okay, just that that is a rumour I heard in SA on the weekend. I think that even Mike would be surprised to think that some believe he is running the country!
Surely you do not think the unions are running the country, Smac?

[BIG SEXY]

im biting my tongue, ive been in too many arguments over ALP and unions on here

but still waiting for smacs response with baited breath

[smac]

Wasn't specifically thinking the unions BDP, but I'm sure they exercise some influence over the ALP.

I was thinking along the lines of expensive clocks and suits.

[bulldogproud]

Ahh, Paul Keating. The man who gave us Enterprise Bargaining which has been responsible for much of the success of the Australian economy. The difference between that and the Howard IR laws though were that Enterprise Bargaining gave us productivity improvements and were fair to workers.
Paul Keating had as much influence on John Howard's policies as he does on Kevin Rudd's.
Cheers

[BIG SEXY]

may well have been fair to workers but certainly werent fair for employers

[JK]

Well, Rudd has the fortitude to go against Bush on Kyoto and on withdrawing troops. Two of the biggest 'puppet acts' now gone.
Cheers

Well they were pretty important promises that helped bring him to power, naturally he would have to uphold them.

Little Johnny - and each individual will decide for themself if it was right or wrong - At least stuck to what he believed to be in the country's best interest even if it was unpopular.

Personally, I'm not unhappy with either of them and their direction.

[bulldogproud]

may well have been fair to workers but certainly werent fair for employers

Enterprise Bargaining sure was fair to employers. Remember that this system replaced the Award system and allowed employers and employees to negotiate conditions which suited ALL at the workplace - employer and employee. The first Enterprise Agreement was at SPC where workers took a pay cut so that the business could survive. In return for this, they were promised a percentage of profits once the firm had gained firm footing. I don't think there was a single employer in Australia that was against the move from Awards to Enterprise Agreements.
Cheers