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2010-06-23

Timing is essential for Gillard

Comments on Peter van Onselen “Julia may have missed the bus”, 23/06/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/julia-may-have-missed-the-bus/story-e6frg6zo-1225882964227
Gillard has not missed anything!

Anything can happen from now to the polling day.

ALP may still change the leadership at any moment.

I think Gillard's strategy is the correct one, that is, to wait further for Rudd to step aside, or other people to remove him as opposed to her standing up and challenging Rudd. Her strategy would give the voters more sympathy for her. Also voters will not be too harsh on her BER role.

I think Gillard will lead the ALP to the next election and will win it, but not by too many seats probably.

But she will need to change leadership style, be more consultative and inclusive of the whole ministry. That will be assisted by having some more competent advisors.

She will need to build a more effective and cooperative federation. That will require the federal government work with the States on areas where efficiency can be achieved.

There is no need to further centralise powers to Canberra. Every state can contribute to make a better federation.

There is a need to clarify revenue and service responsibility. But that does not mean further centralisation and possibly means decentralisation of revenue powers or sharing revenue.

When differences among the states are detrimental to cooperative and competitive federation priority should be given to encourage harmonising different regulations among them.

It would be better to leave health and public hospitals with the States, but clarify a funding mechanism.

There is a need to have a federal agency for Indigenous people, to work with the States to improve Indigenous wellbeing.

Forget and ignore the Henry Tax Review because it is too damaging. Alternatively, set up a wider and more inclusive panel to study the report and recommendations and start with a new set of recommendations.

Industrial relations need to be more balanced. While workers’ rights need to be protected, efficiency and productivity must be given more weight. That is because in the long run only productivity matters in any given equity considerations.

It is important to aim at small and efficient government. Government spending should be further scaled down and concentrate on essential areas.

More independent public institutions should be encouraged. Those institutions should not be tied to bureaucratic agencies and should be oversight by parliaments.

Another point, deliver more and promise less. That is an important and enduring lesson from Rudd’s Prime Ministership.

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