If there’s one thing we can be certain of in 2013, there will be a Federal election. According to most, there will also be a change of government.
Experts are predicting the election will happen some time between August to October, with veteran psephologist, Malcolm Mackerras, saying the Tony Abbott led Coalition has a 90% chance of winning.
On the streets of Australia’s cities, suburbs and towns many are saying they would prefer to see the Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd and the Liberal Party led by Malcolm Turnbull.
But the Labor Party is unlikely to swap leaders again – especially as so many Ministers under Julia Gillard vehemently expressed their dislike of, and their unwillingness to work with, Kevin Rudd when he challenged last February. The Liberal Party is not likely to swap back either when the Coalition is so far ahead that it doesn’t really matter who leads them - they will win.
But not everyone agrees.
“The Labor Government’s biggest asset is Tony Abbott,” one Canberra insider said.
“Their talk of a more positive, kinder, gentler political discourse is just that – talk. They know the harder they go after Tony Abbott, the worse it is for him unless he can turn around the impression people have of him.
“The fact is, the ‘misogynist’ tag stuck in 2012 – even though it’s inaccurate. A man with three grown-up daughters and a strong-minded, independent spouse is not a misogynist.”
Another challenge for an incoming Coalition government under Tony Abbott “is that he will become Prime Minister with very little personal political capital” according to another veteran Canberra watcher.
“Most new Prime Minister’s are popular and welcomed in the job, and so they have plenty of ‘wriggle room’ once they have to make hard decisions which Prime Minister’s inevitably must do.
“On the other hand, if Malcolm Turnbull was Coalition leader, the Labor Party would be annihilated at the Federal election – and that’s not a good thing for the democratic process.
“We need a strong Government and a strong, competitive Opposition.”
Experts agree that the Greens and Independents are likely to lose ground compared with the 2010 election.
Throughout 2013, Motherpedia will continue to bring you all you want to know: a mix of news, information, real life stories, tips, advice, fun and competitions, as well as maintain a watching brief on the big and little issues of concerns to mum’s.
Motherpedia won’t be taking a stance on the election. We know women and mum’s are smart enough to make up our own mind on what’s most important for us. But we will give you facts and evidence on all you want to know, from child care to aged care, education to health, the economy to living costs and work to living better.
When it all boils down to it, we all want to leave our children, our family, our community and our nation in a better place than where we began.
To kick us off for the year ahead, below are links to the New Year’s messages from Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.
Feel free to let us know what you think.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2013. We look forward to exploring and enjoying the year ahead with you.
***
Agree (0)
Disagree (
__small.png)
