Er, Kim, can we just get this straight?
You’re the leader of a party that has been representing the interests
of working men and women, the lowest paid, the worst off, for over a
century. yet it’s lost its way, it’s lost its traditional support base,
it’s lost four elections in a row. And now you’re saying that you’re
intend to block tax cuts for these very same people. That you’re going
to take an unpopular stand that, in seven weeks and one day, can be
overruled if the government convenes the new Senate early and shoves
its legislation through.

Just what other advice is your shadow
treasurer Wayne Swan giving you? That you give your Address in Reply to
the Budget this evening and then fall under a bus tomorrow?

The Consulting Room

Meanwhile, the ailments of the body politic get picked over in Budget
week. Is anything a mystery to you? The Crikey Consulting Room will be
open tomorrow, with the doctor, Christian Kerr, answering your queries.

Questions, please, to consultingroom@crikey.com.au.