The Labor Government has been kicked from office after only 5 years 10 months in power.
A government that came to power with so much promise has undoubtedly squandered it.
Where and why do you think it went wrong?
They in the end essentially kicked themselves from office. It is an instructive lesson in the notion that disunity is death. After years of infighting and leadership intrigue they forfeited the right to govern.
They also entirely underestimated and misunderstood Tony Abbott. They thought he was an unelectable, undisciplined and gaffe prone simpleton who would be easily dispatched. He exposed the fallacy of this view. Whilst Labor takes much the blame for the result, credit has to go to Abbott for running an amazingly effective opposition.
I don't think history will treat Rudd well. His personal temperament by his colleagues admission was chaotic. The government tried to do too much and as a result achieved very little. This is especially so in Rudd's case. A lot of hyperbolic talk and grand visions but they could never hope to meet the expectations they themselves created. (On a sidenote I think Abbott will be much more successful because he has set achievable, realistic goals for his government)
Gillard on the other hand will be remembered as a good administrator who tried to make the best of a tough situation. This despite the self inflicted damage she did which does need to be acknowledged. She wasn't any good at the politics.
People also took Rudd's 'popularity' the wrong way. In the end the electorate don't want a soap opera. He was media obsessed but the electorate just wants somebody who will put their head down and get on with the job. They don't want a rock star, they want a no fuss, competent administration.
A government that came to power with so much promise has undoubtedly squandered it.
Where and why do you think it went wrong?
They in the end essentially kicked themselves from office. It is an instructive lesson in the notion that disunity is death. After years of infighting and leadership intrigue they forfeited the right to govern.
They also entirely underestimated and misunderstood Tony Abbott. They thought he was an unelectable, undisciplined and gaffe prone simpleton who would be easily dispatched. He exposed the fallacy of this view. Whilst Labor takes much the blame for the result, credit has to go to Abbott for running an amazingly effective opposition.
I don't think history will treat Rudd well. His personal temperament by his colleagues admission was chaotic. The government tried to do too much and as a result achieved very little. This is especially so in Rudd's case. A lot of hyperbolic talk and grand visions but they could never hope to meet the expectations they themselves created. (On a sidenote I think Abbott will be much more successful because he has set achievable, realistic goals for his government)
Gillard on the other hand will be remembered as a good administrator who tried to make the best of a tough situation. This despite the self inflicted damage she did which does need to be acknowledged. She wasn't any good at the politics.
People also took Rudd's 'popularity' the wrong way. In the end the electorate don't want a soap opera. He was media obsessed but the electorate just wants somebody who will put their head down and get on with the job. They don't want a rock star, they want a no fuss, competent administration.
