The ALP ran an excellent campaign...once voting was closed. There was McMullan and Beazley and everyone pointing out that this line about interest rates was a big LIE. But where were these statements over the past 6 weeks? It should have been plastered across our ad breaks. We should have seen the clips of all our leading economists pointing out that Howard was talking out his arse on this. It was an excellent opportunity to point out that the lying rodent was at it again.
When the Libs ran that ad about interest rates always rising under Labor, why did Labor not loudly point out that when Howard was Treasurer they went up, that when Whitlam was PM they reached lower rates than the current rates, that interest rates were falling under Keating. Last night McMullan kept pointing out that it was Hawke and Keating’s management of the economy that had set up this position we are in now and that therefore the ALP can manage the economy. But why did they not do this for 6 weeks running? Too little too late ALP! And many Australians will suffer as a result of your ineffective campaign.
Latham has done an excellent job at restraining himself and showing himself to be mature and responsible. But at times this went too far. One of the weaknesses to be exploited about Howard has been that he has turned the Libs into an autocracy, as former President John Valder points out. So when Latham was asked about his inexperience, Latham’s response should not have simply been ‘Well no I don’t have experience at lying to the Australian people’. That played into Howard’s game of making this a US Presidential-style battle. What Latham should have pointed out is that the ALP are not exactly a new party!!! eg.
‘Well yes I am less experienced in Federal Politics, but Labor is a team with a great balance of experience and enthusiasm. People like Kim Beazley and Bob McMullan have a lot of experience in Government and I value their contributions to the Labor team’.
Latham is undoubtedly their best choice as leader. But they must emphasise their team. Labor has several talented frontbenchers. Use them! Where has Jenny Macklin been? After her excellent performance as Health Minister, she has become a shrinking violet, happy to stand next to Latham and smile as Education Minister. Why is the unpopular Crean in such a crucial portfolio? Finance spokesperson Bob McMullan is a much stronger performer, and even I have more faith in him.
Kevin Rudd, who is undoubtedly one of the strongest performers in the ALP, must be used. Rudd needs to be out there all the time to point out that Downer is a klutz at foreign relations, that Howard has completely ruined our relations with Asia and that only Labor can ensure national security in the region. Downer has made Asian leaders nervous and unwilling to help us. Only Labor has the negotiation skills to maintain relations with Asia. Labor should be at pains to point this out.
They have used their asset of Beazley, but not enough. He is undoubtedly in the best position for him as Defence Minister. But Beazley’s relationship with the US is excellent and shows how you don’t need to be all the way with LBJ to maintain ANZUS. Beazley is a strong figure who can make Australia safer because he can negotiate with Asia as well as the US and UK.
As for campaign mistakes, when they released that forests policy, they needed to really emphasise that they were forking money into retraining, to help the loggers who would lose their jobs. They needed to emphasise that the forests would create more long-term job opportunities as a tourist venue than as a logging resource. Maybe they should have even put money into new growth forests to support the industry.
Even many members of the Liberal Party have come out against this extremist refugee policy of Vanstone’s. Why did Labor not sell their moderate position? The racists aren’t going to vote for Labor anyway.
Beyond bulk billing and Medicare Old, why did Labor not have policies on health that were publicised? There was no mention of the fact that the Libs have forced everyone onto private health and that private premiums have risen under Tony Abbott.
This election is gone. But within hours, some members of the ALP have identified the things they need to start saying. They need to sell their team and get out there and be strong. They need to be critical of the Liberal Party. Latham is achieving good stuff as leader. They must begin work towards hacking away at the Liberals’ support now!!!!
The Not Happy John campaign in Bennelong shows what Labor can achieve if they put in more work. Imagine if they’d put the same effort in in Moreton and other marginals! I predicted that Bennelong would be a bit of a waste of resources for NHJ. But the same campaign in other important electorates could well have swept Australians up in a popular movement against Howard, away from this hardline Right position.
If Latham is ready, then he needs to be ready to start working towards victory in 2007 today.
Condolences and good luck ALP!