Election 2016: Is It Time To Call A Truce?

We are a little less than two weeks away from the election. Many people are still making up their minds who they will vote for. For those who have, the polls are close. A hung parliament is looking like a real possibility. Fantastic I say, another three years of chaos. 

From the liberal/conservative side of politics the lead up to this election has been like no other I’ve experienced. Conservatives attacking conservatives. The far right beating the c##p out middle to left conservatives. Abbott supporters attacking Turnbull and party supporters. Labor supporters haven’t had to do anything. They must be in hysterics over the land mining that has gone on within the conservative supporters groups. 

I will ask the liberals and conservatives who support the conservative side of politics to call a truce. These are my reasons. I believe we have stuffed up the last three elections. Wait! Yes we did vote the LNP into Govt but it wasn’t a parliament that enabled the Govt to do their job properly. So let's drop the, it was an overwhelming victory for the Abbott Govt. It wasn’t. It was the worst senate result for the LNP for many years. That is fact.

So what are those choices? 

We return the LNP to Govt. This allows them to continue on their path of economic reform, and debt repair. To make sure our borders are protected and to deal with climate in a responsible way. Plus, deliver on the rest of the initiatives in the policy plan. But to do that they must be given a parliament that works. Not one based on ‘hedging bets’ which will deliver an unworkable senate controlled by Labor/Greens, single issue parties and untested and untried new comers. 

The electorate DID NOT give Tony Abbott a workable parliament in both houses. Instead, they delivered a senate controlled by Green's and cross-benchers. I use the word “they” because I voted for the Liberals in the upper house. I marked one above the line because I did not want to preference any party. I will be doing the same thing again this election.

People can continue with their ‘strop’ over Malcolm Turnbull and vote informal. Or vote for new parties like Xenophon, ALA etc. Palmer is back running candidates in the senate. We have dozens of opportunists running. There are choices but I urge people to think about that and the likely outcomes of voting for these people. It's important to check policies. I know for a fact many people don’t. They protest vote. Not smart people. There are nasties hidden in many of the policies dependent on your views. I've discovered a few. Policies that true LNP supporters would not support. Check who they are giving their preferences to and who they will favour out of the major parties. I’ve been surprised by a couple when I’ve checked. Although with Xenophon who would know. He won’t give us that information. But from Xenophon’s own policies we find this.

I read an interesting comment to a column by Paul Kelley in the Australian. It was from one of the ALA supporters. His sole argument for recommending the ALA was the candidates had real jobs. Any job is a real job? It's a stupid term. Anyway, how does a ‘real’ job translate into a good politician. There was no mention of policies. There was no mention of who the ALA will preference. It's a worry. There are some concerning policies within the ALA suite. Their senate preferences in NSW are enlightening to say the least.

Another example I recently read. “I want to protect what is left of the Liberals, so I’m voting for Bill Shorten.” It's not the only comment I’ve read along those lines. Beggars belief and graphically highlights the lack of intelligent thought applied by this voter. He isn’t a lone wolf. 

Ex Libs you can vote for Labor or the Greens. But let's get serious. We are talking politics so let’s dispense with the I couldn’t live with myself if I voted for Turnbull BS. It’s a choice between communism/socialism or capitalism. It's that simple. The electorate has already tested six years of Labor. Let's not forget how painful that was. Apart from new leaders, it's the same bunch you are voting back in. You are placing a lot of trust in their ability to have ‘gone to Jesus’ in three short years. I belief we've had a glimpse of what the next Labor Govt will look like thanks to Daniel Andrews and Victoria. The unions control the puppet Shorten and the left are poised for a take-over. 

I have read many comments urging people to destroy the Libs in a vain hope Labor will be defeated in three years. Well, they weren’t last time. Labor carried on with another three years of destruction and chaos. Regardless, they can do a lot more damage in three years. As for a new conservative party rising from the ashes that could take years and years. I don't hold out much hope for that.

Whilst many cannot stand Malcolm Turnbull he is but one man. If conservatives do the right thing, we will have a good mix of liberals and conservatives in a new Govt. I’ve said before I am not a big fan of Malcolm Turnbull. I wasn’t a big fan of Tony Abbott either. I vote for the party. It’s very important that Barnaby Joyce retains his seat. He brings balance. I would much prefer a Turnbull led Govt over the possible alternatives any day. We can deal with Turnbull. It will take three years perhaps more to remove what replaces the LNP if it comes to that.

Malcolm Turnbull has shown a lot of courage. He could have called an election earlier when his stocks were significantly higher than they are now. He didn’t. Anyone who believed Turnbull’s approval rating would stay in the 60’s plus for any length of time has rocks in their head. Malcolm Turnbull knew that and his advisors encouraged him to go earlier. He ignored that advice. Gutsy decision. 

Kitchen Cabinet this week with Senator Cash was interesting. Her comment to the question about Malcolm Turnbull just implementing Tony Abbott’s policies was spot on. Michaelia Cash pointed out, they are the policies of the party. It was a fair point. They are the policies of the party.

So to summarise the choice is:

A Liberal National Government.

A Labor / Greens Government. 

A hung parliament controlled by who knows who. It could be the Greens or Xenophon or a combo. It's the walking the plank solution.

I’ve said before when I asked the question, can we afford to gamble in this current climate with so much uncertainties. I believe the answer is a resounding no. I want no part in delivering chaos.

What the rest of you do is your decision and your business. But, I sincerely hope we can unite and call a truce until after the election when the LNP is hopefully returned? 

History teaches us that unity is strength, and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive, with all our combined strength to make our nation stronger. That’s what is really important. What is in the best interests of the country and therefore our future.

Doesn't Tony Abbott Deserve Better?

Tony Abbott as the deposed Prime Minister has put his unseating behind him. So why is Mr Abbott’s supporters campaigning against him? Urging people not to vote for the LNP. Urging people to vote for new micros and even worse telling them to donkey vote. Isn’t that another slap in the face and the ultimate betrayal? 

Mr Abbott still believes in the Liberal Party. His supporters say he is a man principle. He is encouraging people to stick with the party so it's safe to assume he believes the basic principles haven’t changed. 

Perhaps he’s reflected on when Bob Menzies was removed as Prime Minister by his party back in 1941. Menzies claimed the crown back in 1949 (after the conservative parties of the day merged to form the current Liberal Party). Or perhaps he knows more about the risks than we do. 

Mr Abbott has even declared he will work during the campaign to undermine Bill Shorten’s claims of a “civil war” within the Liberal Party. Mr Abbott was hurt. Understandable when the majority of your team informs you they longer wanted you as their leader. It’s a confronting thing to face. He did things following the change I suspect he’s come to regret. We’ve all been there. But Mr Abbott knows politics. 

Mr Abbott well knows the mess the Liberal National government  inherited from Labor. He’s experienced the impossible task of dealing with a senate that is obstructive and totally unpredictable and illogical in their behaviour and their decisions. He knows what potentially lies ahead if the Liberal National government is wiped out and replaced with an alternative. My God just consider for a minute what the alternatives might look like.       

• A Shorten led Labor government staffed with predominately the same group as last time. High taxing, high spending give, give, give party. We haven’t recovered from their last rounds of feckless spending and they want to inflict more on us? Their class warfare surfaces the worst in society; greed and envy. It's shameful. 

• A hung parliament with the Greens holding the balance of power? Open borders, high taxing, increased asylum seeker intake to 50,000 per year. Closing down the coal mines putting another 50,000 out of work.  This list goes on. 

• A hung parliament in the lower house. Greens holding the balance of power. A senate stocked with independents, and micro fringe parties holding who ever wrestles power in the lower house to ransom. We’ve had close to three years of the government being thwarted in delivering on their policies. Surely no one wants the same or an even worse outcome after this election.

Even Mark Latham was pleading with voters last night to pick either Labor or the LNP and give them a workable parliament in both houses. Mark Latham also understands the looming chaos if we get this wrong. 

Tony Abbott understands what it is at stake; communism and social engineering, restrained capitalism or chaos. No prizes for betting on what Mr Abbott is campaigning for. 

Back in 2009 Mr Abbott led the revolt against Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Abbott disagreed with the Turnbull lead opposition supporting Labor and their ETS/Carbon Tax. The Abbott led team upheld
their principles and opposed the direction the opposition was going in. In doing so he and his supporters were prepared to resign. Now that is standing up for your principles. 

In 2015 Mr Abbott chose to stay in government. He is still there in 2016 doing everything he can to help secure a victory for our government. I read that as confirmation Mr Abbott supports the current direction and current policies. Let's face it, with a few tweaks here and there nothing much has changed in key areas like; Sovereign Borders (nothing has changed) climate (minor change) and addressing debt. Tony Abbott has proven he was prepared to resign on principle when he fundamentally disagreed with our policy direction. This time he is staying, so that is good enough for me. 

So back to my original question. Why are the exLibs, basically Tony Abbott supporters doing everything in their power to undermine him, undermine the party and support sinking the government? It's a question that intrigues me. In particular given the often quoted justification, "it's a matter of my principles."

I think Tony Abbott deserves better, but that's just me applying my principles. But more importantly for me it's following what Joseph Heller said. "Rise above principle and do what is right."

Dear Prime Minister Turnbull

There is no doubt in my mind that Tony Abbott had to go as leader of our Coalition Government. Abbott was on a hiding to nowhere. He’d lost the confidence of the vast majority of voters, as well as the majority of our elected representatives. He simply became ineffective. The broken promises, bungled budgets and most importantly of all, the failure to listen and to take action all led to his demise.  That loss of confidence was highlighted in both the overall poll results as well as Mr Abbott’s personal rating and his personal performance suffered.

The Government under your leadership very quickly rocketed in the polls; both overall results and your personal rating as preferred PM. However, the tide is turning and whilst your personal rating is still extremely high and well above Bill Shorten’s according to the latest Newspoll the overall drop in party rating is of concern. After all, the party is bigger than the leader and when we start to drop against a pathetic opposition it's time for a reality check.

I declared my intention to stick with the government following the toppling of Tony Abbott. Whilst I have never been a fan I was prepared to give you a chance to show what you could do. Sadly, Mr Turnbull since you took over the leadership nothing much has changed. You certainly present much better than Mr Abbott and I prefer your approach to internal security issues. But, and there are many buts, our internal ‘bun fights’, ministerial falls from grace (as a result of events that happened under Mr Abbott’s leadership) are taking their toll. As a group of elected representatives our Coalition team has learned nothing. The behaviour of some simply disgusts me.

We were turning the tide, in an election winning position and there are those who will do everything possible to make sure we don’t win because of factional infighting. If it was the opposition driving this it would be understandable, but when it's people within our own party with an axe to grind it's unforgivable. Someone needs to yank some chains and quickly. That someone is you Mr Turnbull.

The ‘on the table, off the table’ budget reform water testing is also taking a toll. It's right to test the electorates appetite for change and reform, but the communication around that needs to be much, much better. It is looking suspiciously like indecision and the rumours that you and Scott Morrison are not on the same page isn’t helping. Labor is going a good job of turning the tide back on us. That needs to be addressed.

We have a foreign affairs minister who I think does a great job. But sadly, Julie Bishop is starting to look like an international party girl probably better suited to working for a fashion house than driving our foreign relationships. It’s the old ‘perception’ factor rearing its ugly head.  A lot of that press is down to the media, but Julie puts herself in the position to start with. It needs to stop.

Then we have the back-down on the baby Asha issue. The headlines didn’t really tell the full story but we know that many people don’t read below the headline. The mere hint that we are softening our stance on asylum seekers results in concern that our borders will be weakened.

I am 100% in favour of change. Without change and renewal, we will stagnate and die. But, with that comes the vision. The vision story is sadly lacking. You are an excellent communicator, Mr Turnbull, but we hardly see or hear from you. Whilst you are still the preferred leader by a mile, it won’t last if issues are not addressed and if the vision for the future isn’t crystal clear, understood and re-enforced continually. Basic driving change 101 stuff.

We will no doubt be regaled with shouts of  ‘bring Tony back’. No, thank you. But I don’t think I’m out of step with many others who were prepared to give the new look leadership a fair go and who are now becoming increasingly concerned. If Scott Morrison’s budget flops in May we are gone come the election and Labor will regain power. What a nightmare that would be.

I’ve said many times the popularity of the leader is an important factor, but the party is bigger and the party is losing its way. The promised changes under your leadership are not manifesting and it is taking its toll. Recalcitrant senators are blocking good policy and we seem incapable of getting them on side. Labor’s stocks are rising despite sub-standard leadership and stupid policies and the polls are inconceivably turning against us. Your popularity won’t carry us to victory.

We have time to turn this around, but we don’t have forever. We have to start getting ‘some runs on the board’. I won’t stay loyal forever and I suspect many others are feeling the same way. I’m also one of those who will be losing their long standing member in Philip Ruddock come the election. So I’m in a quandary. In the absence of personal loyalty to our effective sitting member and in the absence of necessary change I’ll be forced into an informal vote. That prospect fills me with no joy but I feel I don’t have an option.

Our future is in your hands Mr Turnbull. Don’t let us down.

ENOUGH POLITICAL BULLYING

It has been a while since I put pen to paper, but I feel compelled to raise the issue of political bullying and intimidation. What has prompted this, is the number of people who have contacted me privately to voice their concern over the level of intimidation and the hate speech they are being subjected to on social media. To the point that an alarming number of people are at the point of considering closing their accounts. I sympathise with them, because I’ve felt the same over recent weeks, but my resolve never to bow to intimidation kicks in and the kind words from others gives me heart. 

The responses to the recent change in Liberal leadership has shaken a few of us to the core. The level of vitriol and accusations levelled at (for the want of a better term) Liberal loyalists has been challenging and deeply distressing to say the least. It’s been vicious and nasty and frankly there is absolutely no excuse for it. 

A few weeks prior to the leadership change, I was contacted by a number of followers on social media, who like me were frustrated with the Government and Liberal leadership. Whilst we all acknowledge the Abbott led government chalked up a number of successes, we were being roundly flogged by the media, by polls and by the constant leaks coming from the PMO. The call for a spill back in February was a stark warning that all was not well and that something needed to change. Those of us who had the temerity to say it were attacked for doing so. More than one person told me in private they were too scared to even speak up because they had seen the treatment handed out to others like me who had. So I guess the alarm bells should have rung at that point because it was an indicator of how some people would respond if in fact the inevitable did happen.

I sincerely hope Liberal loyalists don’t bail out and leave social media because it’s a very important part of the political landscape today.  I sincerely hope the many who are out there will have the courage to speak up and to band together and to support each other. We don’t have to accept the criticism being hurled our way for merely saying we are prepared to give the change a chance. That doesn’t mean we hate (the favourite word of the anti/brigade) the previous leader. In fact, to the contrary, he did a good job, but he simply wasn’t able to marshall the necessary support to be a great leader. To his credit and to Joe Hockey’s credit they have both publicly asked supporters to do exactly what I and many others are doing; giving the government a chance. So far, things are going OK, that gives me hope. Furthermore, it’s a refreshing change not to wake to another day of gaffes, infighting and senate standoffs.