It’s On!!
Battle is joined. John Howard has called the election for 24th November giving him 6 weeks to pressure Rudd, seek out his weaknesses and home in on them.
Some observations.
# From a comment at Andrew Bolt’s blog;
Yes, Kevin Rudd is “new”, and he’s here to capture the Easily Distracted by Shiny Objects vote.# Rudd in answer to a question about his 70% union bench replies saying 70% of Howard’s ministers don’t want him. Rudd definitely has a 70% union bench and Howard definitely doesn’t have 70% of his ministers against him Avoiding the question and using a lie as a diversion – he shouldn’t be able to get away with that now the battle is joined or is the media going to continue to give him a free pass. # I don’t agree with Keating as a rule but I like this quote in this mornings Cut and Paste
Paul Keating to then-foreign minister Gareth Evans in early 1992, on Kevin Rudd, who went on to lose the federal Labor seat of Griffith at the 1996 election landslide: CAN’T you find that little (expletive deleted) an embassy somewhere?The Battle of the Debates is the opening salvos of the campaign.
#RUDD: I’m happy to debate Mr Howard whenever he wants to debate me….But now he doesn’t…
“It is silly and just wrong for the government of the day … to set the rules, the timing and the contents of the debate as well, it’s just wrong,” Mr Rudd said on Channel 9.So Rudd will debate anytime……anytime, that is where he gets to set the agenda, rules, timing and contents. I’m prepared to believe Rudd only wants to debate when he can depend on a written script. Otherwise what’s with the YouTube debate he is offering. Set script….controlled setting…clever backdrop…media advise and time to prepare his answers. Thinking on his feet with riposte and quick retort to counter anything Howard says in any debate will prove not to be his forte. The thought of running a campaign on YouTube smacks of poor debating skills. Rudd will love it…..quote any exaggeration and those Easily Distracted by Shiny Objects and the standard Howard Haters will believe every syllable. Work Choices. I think the only people who hate Work Choices are rusted on ALP voters anyway. All the academic studies and the ACTU Terror campaign/litany of lies will be considered by any reasonable voter as having the potential of bias and not enough to counter the ABS stats that say the system is working and more people have jobs as a result. I don’t think Rudd will handle the pressure of the campaign and I predict a Coalition win with a reduced majority.
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Kev
Andrew Bolt infers that anyone who entertains the thought of voting for a party other than the Coalition is immature and/or incapable of reasoned thought. That’s a big call for a columnist. Given that he’s always very light on researched fact, and very heavy on opinion, he rates as B Grade entertainment. About the last time he said anything constructive was when he suggested last month on “The Insiders” that Howard should step down.
Part of the cut and thrust is determining the rules of the debate. Howard could be accused of arrogance in maintaining that there be one debate only. They will spar around – mostly for effect and eventually the event will take place – stage managed to the point of absurdity.
I don’t give a rat’s posterior about televised debates, or the negative portrayal of Rudd’s bench or Presidential politics in general. Last time I looked we lived in a Westminster style democracy. What I do care about is a generation of young Australians who will probably not be able to afford to buy a home even if they are in full employment, the increasing gap between rich and poor, the hundreds of thousands of carers of people with disabilities of all ages who live a second class existence, and the view that workers are productive units to be bought and sold, rather than people with lives and families. It’s significant that two respected clerics (Pell and Jensen) have said as much publicly – I wonder what axe they’re grinding.
In terms of ABS statistics and Workchoices, show me where the stats indicate that it has produced jobs? I’m on the road at the moment, and can’t access the web to do in-depth research, but if you take a look at – http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/6202.0Main Features2Sep 2007?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=6202.0&issue=Sep 2007&num=&view=# (Sept 2007 Labour Force Statistics)
you will notice graphs on employment trends. These ABS graphs fail to show any rapid change in employment trends for the period May 2006 until the present. If Workchoices was such a boost for employment there would have been a major trend shift. Instead there is a steady maintenance of the trend that has been in place for about three years now.
A rusted-on ALP voter? – Last time I voted Green. Now that the election has been called, I’ll line up my values and priorities with the policies represented by the candidates in my electorate, and if I can pin each of them down for twenty minutes, put some pertinent questions face to face. My decision will be based on the outcome of that process.
I have bet $100 on a Coalition win on the basis that most who lived through Whitlam and Keating do not want a repeat, and will vote against K007 when the pressure is on.
Moreover, I cannot believe that any reasonable person would want a government run by ex-unionists.
Moving on, 1735099 wrote “…..What I do care about is a generation of young Australians who will probably not be able to afford to buy a home even if they are in full employment……”
In about 1998 the Singapore Straits Times published a similar rumble. Lee Kuan Yew dismissed it out of hand as unwarranted pessimism and advised the young to get on with it. The home ownership rate in 1998 was 85% but is now about 91%.
My wife is in real estate and comes across many instances of parents helping out. This is not a recent phenomenon (I was helped 40 years ago), and will ensure that a whole lot of young will be able to afford a home now and next year.
the generation of young Australians line is ideological mantra that says if the economy is booming and the Coalition are in power then all steps must be taken to prove the economy isn’t good, or people are missing out, or (and I particularly like this one) people are suffering from Mortgage Stress!
Jesus! The economy is booming and whereas Hawke/Keating may have laid some groundwork the Coalition must be given credit.
I couldn’t get your link to the ABS to work so followed links from the error message. I had to answer in a post as comments don’t allow for graphics.
I see your anecdotal evidence and raise you ABS stats that i found with two mouse clicks.
A rusted-on ALP voter? – Last time I voted Green. Then maybe your problem at the moment is that Rudd has taken the ALP away from the Left
My decision will be based on the outcome of that process. and, can I suggest, so long as it isn’t a Coalition candidate
Kev
These are the questions I’d ask my local candidates –
1. What action will you take on industrial relations and “Workchoices”?
2. What would you do to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities
and their carers?
2. What would you do to ensure best quality of life for Australian war veterans?
4. What would you do to achieve national reconciliation with Aboriginal
Australians?
5. What would you do to ensure equity of educational access and outcomes for all
young Australians?
If I was that candidate.
1. What action will you take on industrial relations and “Workchoices”?
None for now.
2. What would you do to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities
and their carers?
You need be more specific?
2.1. What would you do to ensure best quality of life for Australian war veterans?
Insure the pension gives a standard of living equal to other citizens.
4. What would you do to achieve national reconciliation with Aboriginal
Australians?
Abolish all reference to race Centrelink forms.
Abolish all departments to do with race.
Encourage integration.
All children of any race must be educated under the the same standard and expectations.
Given true equal rites in the community.
5. What would you do to ensure equity of educational access and outcomes for all
young Australians?
I believe basic education benefits the economy.
Equity of outcomes is a virus of education. It discourages achievement and innovation. This has led to the creation of McIntellectuals not worthy of the institutions.
Institute a nation standards test for students.
Sack poor performing teachers as a result the this test.
Sack teachers that use the class room for personal agendas.
Increase wages to the teachers that are left.
Reduce the teaching work load by removeing curriculum items that have more to do with social engineering then education.
Discourage the attitudes that teachers are surrogate parents.
Dear kev
We might want to give a pat on the back to China for the boost to the economy. Of it wass not for China then the world econmmy would not be so buoyant.
In addiiton the goivernment may be rolling in money not ebacsue they are so clever but because of the GST.
It is our bloody money and not theirs.
Why do this rabble only open the purse strings when they might lose the election.
It is our bloody money not Howards and Costello’s.
Life must be so simple from your perspective Peter….GST brought in by the Libs with the ALP screaming all the way.
If it was just China feeding the boom then all countries would be as economically stable as Australia. They aren’t…the difference? Good economic management.
Gary
My rating of your policies –
1. What action will you take on industrial relations and “Workchoices”?
“None for now”
You’ll have to have another look at this issue if you want my vote.
2. What would you do to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their carers?
“You need be more specific?”
“Recent research has shown that the rate of clinical depression amongst carers of people with disabilities is at least three times that of the rest of the population. These figures are accentuated in the case of young carers (below age 21)
As a special school principal for eighteen years working with families in which there were totally dependant children, I observed a great deal of suffering and consequent despair. This was particularly the case once the young person with the disability turned eighteen, and had to leave school. Typically, there was no care available during the day, and many parents had to give up work to look after their adult children. These parents were often physically and mentally worn out by this time, and there was (and is) simply nothing available. They were often living in dread of what would become of their children when they died or became too old to continue to care for them.
This is disgraceful in a country with a large budget surplus. Surely, the wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our community counts for something.
2.1. What would you do to ensure best quality of life for Australian war veterans?
“Insure the pension gives a standard of living equal to other citizens.”
You get my vote on this one.
4. What would you do to achieve national reconciliation with Aboriginal
Australians?
“Abolish all reference to race Centrelink forms.
Abolish all departments to do with race.
Encourage integration.
All children of any race must be educated under the same standard and expectations.
Given true equal rites in the community.”
If there is one component of the population with markedly reduced life expectancy, poor general health, high rates of unemployment, and high rates of incarceration, and this component shares one common characteristic, namely race, to me it makes sense to try to do something about it. How is denying race going to solve the problem? A civilized and progressive society recognizes the problem and attempts a remedy. I won’t vote for denial.
The recent introduction of martial law in aboriginal communities in the NT will probably not do any harm, but it deals with the symptoms, not the disease. We need to support the schemes promoted by Noel Pearson, and encourage economic development, but the big issue is education. We need to make sure that all Aboriginal kids go to school, and have access to the best programmes, delivered by teachers with the requisite preparation, resources and commitment to the task. To get a handle on this go to -http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/stories/s2059997.htm?queensland
We also need to lower the rate of Otitis Media (middle ear infection) in these kids. If you can’t hear, you don’t learn. The sly-groggers should be staked out on bull ant nests.
5. What would you do to ensure equity of educational access and outcomes for all young Australians?
“I believe basic education benefits the economy.
Equity of outcomes is a virus of education. It discourages achievement and innovation. This has led to the creation of McIntellectuals not worthy of the institutions.”
I think my definition of equity of outcomes is different from yours. “Outcomes” is a buzz word for results. I’ve met very few parents who don’t want the best results for their kids. Sometimes it’s necessary to provide additional help to particular kids for them to achieve. Not all kids are the same. To use a simple example, before my wife retired she taught blind kids Braille. This is an additional “input” for these children to learn. I can’t see how that is wrong. How is that a virus?
“Institute a nation standards test for students.”
This has been happening for years, but not on a national level. In Queensland, there are tests applied at specific levels (years two, five and seven, for example) and the kids identified are given additional help and support. Schools whose performance is below the benchmarks are targeted for review and support. Most states have similar schemes.
“Sack poor performing teachers as a result the this test.”
Poorly performing teachers are sacked now (I was personally involved in this on a number of occasions). The process is called “Diminished Work Performance”. It can happen very quickly if necessary – in a few months. To link teacher performance directly with results without considering the multiple factors involved is crazy. How fair would it be to compare the results gained by a teacher in (for example) a remote community in the Gulf with those achieved by someone working in an exclusive private school in a wealthy suburb in Brisbane? It would make as much sense as comparing the mortality rates of Gerontologist with those of a Paediatrician.
One of the most difficult issues is retention of teachers. More than a third of beginning teachers don’t last beyond their first three years. This is a consequence of the demands placed on them, and the lack of support from the community. Unfortunately, many young teachers sack themselves. Anyone who wants my vote would need to turn this around.
“Sack teachers that use the class room for personal agendas.”
Most teachers don’t have time to scratch themselves – let alone pursue personal agendas. In nearly forty years in and around schools, I’ve seen no evidence of this behaviour.
“Increase wages to the teachers that are left.”
I’ll drink to that.
“Reduce the teaching work load by removeing curriculum items that have more to do with social engineering then education.”
Agreed – the curriculum is too crowded and has been for some time.
“Discourage the attitudes that teachers are surrogate parents.”
Good luck with this one. Plenty of kids turn up daily at school with no breakfast, some are abused, and many have house keys around their necks. Teachers whinge about this all the time. What’s a teacher expected to do? Most respond with compassion, not because they see themselves as surrogates, but because there is no choice. Maslow’s hierarchy kicks in – if a kid is hungry, frightened or neglected, he won’t learn. There is legislation requiring teachers to report neglect. When you do, abuse and threats of violence are often the result.
In all, some of your policies show promise, but Workchoices is the clincher. You might get a third preference.
1) I guess it s a programed idiolodgical block on your part.
I see nothing but positives in Workchoices but that can change. See ‘for now’.
2) Short of disadvantaging the able bodied. I have no problem with giving relief to the careers.
4) err “All children of any race must be educated under the same standard and expectations.”
Far from denial. The attitutde and policys of the the past thirty years that Aboriginals should be kept in the stone age. Is racisist and stinks of apartheid.
“reduced life expectancy, poor general health, high rates of unemployment, and high rates of incarceration”
As a result of encouraged welfare dependency and low expectations.
5) The virus is.
Don’t upset little Mike by praising Janes for getting high marks.
lowering the standards to equalize the outcomes.
This goes on all the time.
Teachers have to except some responsibility for the bloated curriculum. It is mainly Teachers and ex-teachers that think of the rubbish.
There are plenty of other departments that Teachers should refer kids to. They don’t have the training.
“Teachers have to accept the responsibility…………
Unfortunately, teachers no longer run the system. In Queensland, for example, the last time the Director General was a teacher was in the eighties. My bother ended up a Deputy Director General, and he’s an accountant! Education has become so politicised that most of the sane advice provided by teachers is ignored by the apparatchiks, unless they can see a quick media grab in it.
And nationally we have Julie Bishop, barrister and solicitor, the woman with the mad eyes to go with her ideas. She’s brought us five-point school reports comparing severely disabled kids with their able-bodied peers. The parents of these kids just love her.
Merit pay for teachers is an interesting concept much-loved by those who can’t hold on to more than one idea at a time. It maintains that teachers should be paid on the basis of results.
I was at my Dentist the other day, and the conversation got on to this merit pay idea, so I thought I’d suggest it to him for Dentists. There ensued an interesting conversation, especially given that I had a mouth full of metal.
“What would you think of a federal program to measure effectiveness of
dentists with their young patients?” I asked.
He didn’t seem too thrilled. “How would they do that?”
“It’s quite simple,” I answered. “They would just count the number of
cavities each patient has at Grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and average that to
determine a dentist’s rating. Dentists will be rated as excellent, good,
average, below average, and unsatisfactory. That way parents will know which are the best dentists. The plan will also encourage the less effective dentists to get better,” I said. “Poor dentists who don’t improve could lose their licenses to practice.”
“That’s terrible,” he replied.
“What? That’s not a good attitude,” I said. “Don’t you think we should try to improve children’s dental health in this country?”
“Sure I do, but that’s not a fair way to determine who is practising good dentistry.”
“Why not?” I asked. “It makes perfect sense to me.”
“Well, it’s so obvious,” he said. “Don’t you see that dentists don’t all
work with the same clientele, and that much depends on things we can’t control? For example, I work in a rural area with a high percentage of patients from deprived homes, while some of my colleagues work in upper middle-class neighbourhoods. Many of the parents I work with don’t bring their children to see me until there is some kind of problem, and I don’t get to do much preventive work. Also, many of the parents I serve let their kids eat way too much sweet food from an early age, unlike more educated parents who understand the relationship between sugar and decay. To top it
all off, so many of my clients have tank water which is untreated and has no fluoride in it. Do you have any idea how much difference early use of fluoride can make?”
“It sounds like you’re making excuses. I can’t believe that you would be so defensive. After all, you do a great job, and you needn’t fear a little
accountability.”
“I am not being defensive!” he said. “My best patients are as good as
anyone’s, my work is as good as anyone’s, but my average cavity count is going to be higher than a lot of other dentists’ because I chose to work where I am needed most.”
By this time I was getting worried, because he had sharp things in his hand, and was doing things with them in my mouth.
He went on –
“I’d be furious if they brought in a system like this. I would end up being rated average, below average, or worse. The few educated patients I have who see these ratings may believe this so-called rating is an actual measure of my ability and proficiency as a dentist. They may leave me, and I’ll be left with only the most needy patients. And my cavity average score will get even worse. On top of that, how will I attract good dental hygienists and other excellent dentists to my practice if it is labelled below average?”
He went on about it for quite a while, so I left the topic alone, except to point out that we had a Federal Education minister who was suggesting the same for teachers, and getting some support from some sections of the media.
Late seventies early eighty is when the rot set in.
“Teachers have to accept the responsibility…………
If you expect me to read another one of your tedious anecdotes do me the courtesy of quoting me correctly.
“Teachers have to except some” responsibility.”
Teachers unions(at least in SA) apposed standardised testing. And I know of some (bolded for your benefit) belittled the test to parents.
Gary
The standardised tests are not the problem – it’s how they’re used. If used to identify learning problems, to inform planning, to review school and system performance – no problem. If they’re used as they are in many counties in the USA, to classify and pay teachers, they are a very blunt instrument and the results are disastrous. Over and over again, experience and research has shown that faced with this way of using standards, teachers simply teach to the test. If your livelihood depends on it, you’d be crazy to do anything else. Consequently, skill levels fall and student outcomes drop. I can quote you any number of research papers on this – but you will probably find them just as tedious as my anecdotes.
Funny thing is, because it’s a simple concept, it appeals to a certain kind of Pollie – generally someone as thick as two short planks and without any knowledge of teaching and learning – (Julie Bishop is a good example). She’s also got mad eyes.