Australian Election 07- A Choice has been made

On a mild wet & sunny day, Australian politic unfold a new chapter. After knocking out 3 attempts from two challengers, John Howard-led Liberal Party government reign was toppled yesterday.

Not only he lost his entire election campaign to Labor, the lost of his seat of Bennelong (somewhere in North Sydney) to a former ABC (government sponsored) news anchor woman Maxine Mckew - signals that majority of Australians voted for a change - for good. Or perhaps risky-but-it-worth-the-risk good.

The eventual winner is Kevin Rudd the leader of the opposition party, Australian Labour Party (the one that introduced GST 10% tax on almost every sales transaction before it was abolished but reacquainted by John Howard in 1998). He overcame the waves of scare campaigns by the Liberal that worked wonders for years. He prevailed when others collapsed without much of a fight. Liberal successfully, for over 11 years, campaigned to convince the majority of Australians that economy stability was something not to be gambled with the wrong hands AND constantly reminded them the dark years of economic doldrums. Kevin Rudd speaks better mandarin than I do, he flexed his chinese language skill when he gave a speech in Mandarin to delegates from China attending APEC in Sydney. Hu Jin Dao was there and so impressed that he choked on his green tea. But John Howard has his own sets of skills beside knack for economic wise decisions, his admirable tolarance as he put up with George Dubya especially the latter repeatedly calling him the Austria Prime Minister in public speeches.

Here are some fun stats.

1996 Election --> John Howard nuked Keating (I call this GST election)   
             (53.6% - 46.4% : votes), (5.07 : swing to Coalition), (94 - 49 : seats)

1998 --> John Howard lost Beazley  but retain the championship belt because of 8 seats
             (49% - 51%: votes), (-4.61 :swing against Coalition), (80-67 : seats)
             John Howard asserted GST led to the decline of support as he did promise not to                      implement it.

2001--> John Howard dft Beazley
            (51% - 49% : vote), (1.93 : swing to Coalition), (82-65 : seats)
          9-11 Attack on the US, Terrorism, Child over Board - John Howard outplayed                             Beazley & won.

2004--> John Howard humiliated Latham convincingly
            53% - 47% : vote), (1.79 : swing to Coalition), (87-60 ; seats)
            Tasmania Forest Industry, Latham Militant Style, Interest Rate, Economy

2007--> John Howard crushed by Rudd
            (47% - 53% : vote), (6.03 : swing to Opposition), (88-60 : predicted seats)
          Industrial Work Policy, High interest rate, Iraq, global warming, broadband,                            health system.

In my opinion, although I do not have any specific party or the right to vote, I think the change of leadership is good for Australia. John Howard steered Australia out of economic mess and generated so much momentum forward (proof - more Kiwi crossed over to Aussie than ever). Team Labor (must) have learnt from their past governing bungles, particularly the fiscal and monetary policy choices, could inject new ideas in improving in different sectors like Public Services. Formed in 1901, Australia, is a modern and developed country but is still new when we compared it to the US, Germany and Great Britain. Which to me, the main reason why John Howard did so well for the past 11 years as he read and mastered of the Book of 100 Economic Disasters - mistakes committed in the past by the Labor government. And they were not any ordinary mistakes, they were economic self-distruct choices. Some choices made by John Howard were really hard, such as the WorkChoice, to ensure rock solid commerce competitiveness that can be merciless hence rendered it so unpopular amongst middle and lower class. Unfortunately to John Howard its the majority of the Australians. So it is the flaw of democracy or demo"crazy"?

In my opinion, Labor defeat in the last election was a blessing in disguised. Mark Latham, aggressive and towering-over nature, could potentially single-handedly cast a perpetual and irreparable damage to Labor's already questioned economic management reputation.

What I support for are less unionised driven economy (just look at Chicago's shamble USPS), lower tax rate, channel defense spending to other public sector like health, transportation and education, federal & state government kiss and make up, out of  Iraq, renewable energy, kick arse broadband and yes much much lower tax! Can someone recommend me a party?