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| Has the PM found Jesus at last? Via Fairfax. |
It doesn’t matter if it’s true, though we can expect that it is, as a flat denial was not offered. Either way, the damage is done. It’s perfect for opponents, be they internal or Abbott-lead, going straight to ‘fears’ about both Gillard’s ‘suitability’ (tip for future female politicos- be married, have children), but also exposing her as a political operator. Not that anyone else in the game isn’t. But in a leadership vacuum, it’s all the more telling. And on ideas that hit at the core of the electorate, issues affecting a better way of life, to be seen to be playing politics is trouble. Whoever they are, they knew how to push the button, and the button has well and truly been pushed. Gillard will spend today mopping up, and it might come to nought. Was it Rudd? Was it Rudd’s people? Who is reckless enough to risk defeat, and a defeat to Abbott, a party that was meant to be out of power for 10+ years if you read the editorials of late 2009? Who believes in something that much, and what is it they believe in- themselves? Himself? Kevin? Explaining needs to be done.
Rudd has, it should be noted, issued a denial- of sorts. A statement released last night reads "Mr Rudd has not made, nor will he make, comment on Cabinet processes or deliberations." Which is different from saying "I did not leak that leak", but fair enough. That's what we're getting. Both Peter Hartcher from the SMH and Laurie Oakes have said that the leak was not from the other side, but a source within the Government. Today's question is who- if not Rudd (still not a believable option, but...), then who. Tanner is leaving, but it couldn't be Tanner. Who?! I demand an answer!
Update 9:40 Gillard takes to the stage in Adelaide, viewed by a cameraphone that drops in and out on Sky News. She says she wants to address the allegations directly, not 'shilly-shally' (Adelaide slang?). She joined the party because she believes in fairness, for the old and for the parents.
She then spins the leak as a process of fiscal responsibility- ensuring that everything was covered in the budget before anything was launched into, paid parental leave or pension increases. This is the reason she 'asked questions'. She attempts to bed down the belief question, and seems utterly believable in this, but this is not the denial the newscycle wants. Won't play on who might've leaked it. Says that she didn't issue anything substantial last night because some things are better delivered in person.
9:53 She says that it amazes her that people might think she wouldn't support this scheme considering 'who I am, what I have done with my life'. This is the point though, isn't it- in the bit of Australia that is concerned about the boats, Gillard is not old and not a mother. Horrible things are being played on. She is attempting to nullify. Says that the Government's money isn't theirs- it's the nation's, and she has to be responsible. But that doesn't mean she doesn't believe. Will 'they' believe?
9:56 Sky news link falls over- ABC24 is up. Thank you ABC!
9:57 'Kevin Rudd will be offered a ministry in my cabinet.' My cabinet under the stairs, where I will keep him bound with electrical tape and feed him a dog biscuit every second day.
9:59 'Look at Mr Abbott and the bind he's in with paid parental leave.' Ummm, not, it's you in the bind Prime Minister.
9:59 'I can't be easily confused with Laure Oakes.' Hmmm. I have no idea of who the source of the leak is. Let's call Julian Assange.
10:00 'I didn't ask Wayne Swan to mount an investigation' (Swannie? Hmmmmmm).
10:01 'Of course I'm angry. But I'm not gonna be diverted by it.' Except for now, doing this.
10:02 'I supported these measures because they were affordable. If they were not, I wouldn't have supported them, and I won't apologise for that. I'm not a soft option.'
10:03 'I did not ask Wayne Swan to have a word about this matter'. Flat denial that. Journos make note to follow up.
10:07 'My focus remains on the choices for Australians- it has become fashionable to say this campaign has become a boring one.' Till today it was...
10:09 A question on schools stimulus. Snowball? Gillard addresses with vigour.
10:13 Was as much rigour applied to the NBN funding? Gillard says yes, I was absolutely satisfied. Hooks are being baited.
10:14 'Abbott is turning his face against modernity'
10:15 'I'll have something to say about water later today'. Water torture.
10:17 'All I can is tell the truth, tell you what I believe and that is what I've done today'. Fin.
Enough?
Update 10:55 Katherine Murphy of the SMH liked what she saw this morning. It'll be interesting to see how shared this sentiment is.
Update 11:09 Abbott, Hockey and some other bloke take to a very prime ministerial looking lectern to announce a cut in the company tax rate- from 29% to 28.5%. Rolling with momentum, getting it done, etc etc. And they're cutting without a mining tax. It's a good line, though the figure itself is a little too transparent.
Update 11:31 Inflation is up .06%, taking it out of the target range. Sky news reports that this would make a rate rise next week very likely, but the SMH says it is less than predicted and therefore a rate rise would be unlikely. Labor will prefer the Fairfax vision.
Update 1:21 Sky News now saying that a rate rise is unlikely. Labor exhale.
Update 1:34 Nice piece from Tony Wright on the who the rat is doing the fucking, with an even better graphic. The Kevin solution is too clean, he and various sources suggest. Wright writes that "One current minister and one less senior Labor MP are suspected by those who place credence in this theory."
Shorten? Combet? Macklin? Ellis, K? Conroy? This guy?
Peter Hartcher agrees with Katherine Murphy's assessment of the Pm's performance, but suggests that there are big issues remaining. Likewise, various pundits and opposition toads are wondering whether the same fiscal scrutiny was applied to the school stimulus and the pink batt scenario. It's a good line. But Gillard's performance might be, if not the story of the day, certainly a contender.
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