A Clear Winner

According to the word on the street, I was one of the few people under 40 to sit through Sunday night’s debate. For those of you that missed it, I can give you a one sentence summary: Rudd dominated. The collective press are putting Rudd’s emphatic victory down to his position as the challenger (his fresh ideas and ability to stand at the podium without collapsing) – but for mine his win was all to do with substance and very little to do with incumbency.

For starters, Rudd’s a hell of a debater. He’s a polished, articulate speaker who has taken great pains to de-nerdify himself and to reach out to the common man. In general, his points were peppered with optimism and a sense of looking forward. In comparison, Howard seemed to be stilted (and at times petty) as he tried to deliver the same script that got him over the line last time. Economic management, low interest rates, national security, economic management….and so on. It was heavy going. Without having to sift through the whole 90 minutes of dialogue, I thought Rudd’s debate win was sealed in 3 areas in particular, finally highlighting some differences between himself and the PM.

1. Workplace Relations

This is undoubtedly a defining election issue. The Work Choices plan the government have implemented has been generally unpopular, particularly with workers (not so much with businesses) – as it seeks to cheapen the cost of labour in this country. Of course, as President, I would scrap it. On the other hand, Labor’s close ties with Unions have hurt them in the past given wide acknowledgment of the problems associated with the balance swinging too far back in this direction. Rudd did particularly well in navigating the mine field that is his 7/10 likely Union Ministers, while quoting Costello’s view that a minimum wage is the only working condition that isn’t negotiable. The public have the choice between likely expansions to work choices (and less guaranteed benefits) and the familiar yet icy grip of the unions. Expect to see much more on this.

2. Economic Management

Interest rates were 17% last time Labor was in government… I realise that, but I'm over it. That was a long time ago, and the sins of the father shouldn’t be visited upon the son (Rudd also noted on the night, that they were pretty high when Howard was treasurer during the Fraser years). I also don’t like the method the Libs claim is best for keeping rates low – fat budget surpluses. I would gladly see interest rates edge a little higher, if the coffers could be opened and some of the billions could be spent on health and education infrastructure – the very thing the Rudd suggested would help to strengthen the economy into the future.

3. Working Families

The clearest difference on the night was the overwhelming perception that Rudd cared about us battlers. He used his closing remarks to emphasise his concerns about everyday pressures: the cost of education, groceries, petrol and child care. In contrast, Howard claimed that his generous tax cuts were relief enough. The Libs mantra of we’ve “never been better off” was successfully spun to portray them as arrogant and out of touch. For the record, Howards closing remarks focused on national security, and a greater emphasis on Australian history in schools. An oversight, I would’ve thought.

Given Rudd’s dominance, I still have some concerns. Costello is planning to debate Labor Treasurer Wayne Swan next week – a match up that is much more in the Libs favour (I got a funny feeling Costello is going to crush him). We’re still also five or so weeks out from the election and poll leads have a habit of disintegrating as the intensity of the campaigns increases. The Liberal fear machine is still working up its momentum, and Rudd is one gaffe (or punched cab driver) away from obscurity. Kevin’s doing well, but this election is far from decided.