Opinion
www.westernweekender.com.au
LAURA JAYES Sky News Political Reporter news@westernweekender.com.au
Internal Labor woes hide Coalition kerfuffle
C
ould this be the week Labor fi nally got the clear air it needed to escape its self-suffo cating death spiral? On Tuesday, the party got the Newspoll bounce it needed. Its primary vote rose three points to 34 per cent and Julia Gillard reclaimed her position ahead of Tony Abbott in the preferred Prime Minister stakes. It wasn’t entirely unexpected. Sure, the PM copped a lot of criticism (including from me) for her ‘western Sydney blitz’. But after promising billions of dollars for aged care, jobs and the WestConnex project, if Labor didn’t get an opinion poll bounce something would be seriously wrong. Th is next sitting of Parliament is regarded as crucial for her leadership and it’s in the chamber the PM performs best. She came out all guns blazing on the fi rst sitting day, determined not to be bogged down by the dissenters, internal politics and naval gazing. Julia Gillard set a policy agenda, instead of being dictated by a political one. It was a message as much to the electorate as her own party. She’s getting on with the job and wants
everyone to know it. The proposed new media reforms and stricter approvals for Coal Seam Gas projects have already generated plenty of discussion. Yes, the Government has been criticised over them. But at least the critics are talking (mostly) about policies. And it forces the Opposition to put forward its own policies and policy responses. When major reforms or legislation are being debated, the Coalition can’t just sit back and allow its opponents to fig ht amongst themselves. Putting forward your own positions also invites greater scrutiny and the past few weeks have exposed plenty of confusion on the conservative side. One issue in particular is carbon tax compensation. Tony Abbott’s promised to scrap it, and replace it with his own tax cuts and pension increases. It’ll be costly. How will he pay for it? He won’t tell us until just days before the election. Then Joe Hockey wrongly claimed the Coalition would still compensate businesses who lose money under the carbon tax.
Julia Gillard has come out strong in Parliament this week after a visit to western Sydney.
Then again, there’s a Nielsen poll due next week. And you can bet if that goes backwards, the leadership rumblings will grow louder again.
Changes to the tax free threshold were also part of the Government’s compensation package. But Mr Abbott and Mr Hockey now say maybe that won’t be scrapped after all. Confused? Don’t worry – so is the Opposition it seems. You see – not only does Labor damage itself with internal woes, but the Coalition get away with so much more.
Laura Jayes will be writing for The Western Weekender for the duration of the 2013 Federal Election campaign
Need to Reduce your Energy Bills
89 Batt St, Penrith p: 4733 3330
06
CLOSING DOWN
LIMITED TIME SPECIAL $ 1.75KW Solar System (fully installed)
1599* orPer$34week
SALE
3.6KW Solar System (fully installed)
5.3KW Solar System (fully installed)
UP TO
50 OFF %
Bring your trailer
*conditions apply. See in store for details.
89 Batt St, Penrith
www.bedsrus.com.au
*
3190*
or $46 Per week
5150*
or $47 Per week
$
$
All Custom Size Systems Available WW1077
Friday, March 15, 2013
|
The Western Weekender
FIRST IN - BEST CHOICE
(* metering not included) Finance available on approved applicant’s only
Call Now 1300 738 673 (02) 4732 6629 www.sydneysolarinstallers.com.au
WW1225