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Day 5: In The Arena

Jul 22, 2010

As I prepare to leave home to drive to Boronia, the Labor leaning northern part of the marginal electorate of La Trobe, in Melbourne’s south-east, Julia Gillard is speaking to nurses in Sydney. Without warning, Sky News switches to a Brisbane school where Kevin Rudd is surrounded by cameras and engaged in a detailed conversation with the Principal about the stimulus spending which has delivered a new assembly hall.

Rudd’s return excites the commentators but it seems a long way from the concerns of people at The Alchester Village, a nondescript shopping centre which derives its name from the junction of Albert and Colchester Roads in Boronia Heights, nestled at the foothills of the Dandenongs. Internal political party rivalries rate poorly here against the concerns of local traders, small business and suburban home-owners. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2010 Federal Election, A.L.P., Campaign Techniques, Elections, Gillard, Greens, Opinion Tagged With: , , , , ,

Day 4: On Message

Jul 21, 2010

In Papua-New Guinea yesterday, armed police patrolled Parliament House. There was talk of the Prime Minister being toppled. The Parliament met, but the Opposition lacked the numbers and 74-year-old Michael Somare remained in control. There was much activity but nothing much happened. The old pro who first became Prime Minister in 1975 lived to fight another day.

On Day 4 of the 2010 Australian election campaign, it was much the same: lots of activity but a sense that the real events were taking place elsewhere.

For Gillard and Abbott, it was time to focus on bread and butter issues. Time to shake off the distractions and target the message. Time to ready for the grind that is coming.

Abbott began and ended the day well. On Channel 7’s Sunrise, in an interview that lacked the danger of Monday’s encounters with the media, he once again killed, buried and cremated WorkChoices. The Channel 9 evening news in Melbourne led with Abbott cycling the streets and announcing expenditure savings.

Julia Gillard also appeared on Sunrise, her lines now perfected and rolling forth in a torrent. “I don’t want to see a big Australia … I want to see a sustainable Australia… we’ve announced a modest measure to take a bit of pressure off … Tony Abbott is strongly supportive of WorkChoices…” [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2010 Federal Election, Gillard, Liberal Party, Opinion Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Labor Lead Dwindling; Majority Of 16 Likely; 8 Seats Still Undecided

Dec 07, 2007

Nearly two weeks after polling day, counting continues for all electorates in the House of Representatives, with absentee, postal and declaration votes trickling in.

The Australian Electoral Commission now has the ALP on 80 seats, the Liberals 50, The Nationals 10, and independents 2.

There are 8 seats still in doubt.

La Trobe is no longer regarded as doubtful, retained by the Liberal member, Jason Wood, by 889 votes. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, A.L.P., Rudd Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

“Don’t Risk Rudd” – Roadside Billboard In La Trobe

Sep 26, 2007

According to the date-stamp, I took this picture on September 26, 2007.

I’m not certain but I’m fairly sure it’s on a road leading into Ferntree Gully in the electorate of La Trobe.

Two months after I took the picture, Rudd defeated John Howard and became Prime Minister.

La Trobe was retained by the Liberal member, Jason Wood, in 2007, although he lost it to Labor’s Laura Smyth in 2010.

Don't Risk Rudd

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Political History, Rudd Tagged With: ,
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