IT AIN'T ALL BAD

David Speers, Sky News Political Editor

10 September 2010

It's been 6 weeks since I updated this blog.

Apologies.

But it's been, well, a rather busy six weeks.

As things finally start to settle down, it seems to me there's reason to be more optimistic about the new “paradigm” than many appear to be.

Yes there will be plenty of examples of division between the “rainbow alliance” of Labor, Greens and independents.

And there's a good chance the whole experiment could fail in 12-18 months, ending in a change of government.

But this bizarre election outcome also presents a genuine opportunity for a new style of governing.

And I reckon we should give it a chance.

Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor have shown great courage in backing Labor.

It's a huge risk to them personally.

But in a political culture that's become so risk-averse, this is refreshing.

Together with the Greens, the Indies need this experiment to work.

If it doesn't, all will suffer.

Of the major reforms we know are on the agenda in this term, the outlook is more promising for Julia Gillard than some have suggested.

Labor's broadband network is strongly supported by the Indies and the Greens.

The mining tax is also supported by the Greens. The Indies have given qualified backing to a profits-based tax.

And the government's chances of putting a price on carbon actually look stronger than they did in the last parliament.

Most importantly, any legislation that does win the support of this “rainbow alliance” will carry a broader spectrum of legitimacy than bills in previous parliaments.

Tony Abbott has so far defined his leadership by the strength and success of his attacks.

On the emissions trading scheme, pink batts, the mining tax, debt and boats.

It could be harder for him now.

The Opposition Leader will rightly hammer any sign of parliamentary gridlock.

But if reforms do succeed, Tony Abbott will risk being seen as Mr Negative.

Share your thoughts on this blog:

Comments are moderated and will not appear until they have been approved.

Bob Gregg, hunter valley (6 October 2010 4:04AM) wrote:
Of course Tony Abbott's best chance of success lies with the support of David Speers , who spends most of his time apologising for the iwannabePM at any cost. Abbott has proven he can't be trusted with Speers as his no2 banana a new comedy team emerges .

terry cockrane, dandenong south (28 September 2010 5:01PM) wrote:
David Spears i watch you religiously every day but you are getting boring when you attempt to get a politician to give you answer to a simple question, talking to Andrew Robb is like talking to a school boy. why bother. I would rather you interview political journalist. At least they should tell it as it is and not the spin you let the Polly's get away with.

Monica, Sydney , Sydney (21 September 2010 10:34PM) wrote:
Sorry Mr david Speers - but i think your a bit biased and could be fairer. Tony Abbot is not negative - if you care to read his latest updates you will see that he is a man of policy and ideas as well as oppositon. Remember, Gillard now feels its fine to junk her pre-election policies because this i a monority government. That is what I call a dishonet and negative government.

lyn justin, adelaide (16 September 2010 9:40PM) wrote:
This is not about your blog but i have just watched you on The Nation and would like one day for you to explain on air who are you people. Their is 5 people sitting around a table gossiping,psycho-analysing,criticizing all and sundry and all with your own bias. Is it for your own egos or are your trying to educate the masses as we are so dumb. If you all know everything why arent you putting up your hand to get into Government and become the Prime Minister or is it easier to pull people down then to stand up to be counted

simon hudson, mooloolaba (15 September 2010 12:33PM) wrote:
just listened to kev's first press conference since getting a front bench portfolio.in the short time since he was knifed i had forgotten how uninteresting and uninspiring he is. it all came flooding back.please dont put us thru too many more of those.

Amalia V, Canberra (14 September 2010 6:58PM) wrote:
David Speers you are such a champ. You are always so positive, diplomatic and intelligent. I think you are simply fantastic. Good on you for supporting Windsor and Oakesholt - it is about time these two were given some credit. It wasn't their fault that the two major parties were so bad, neither of them won the election in their own right. Let's face it, Australian's did not vote Labor or Liberal in because they did not believe either of them would make a good government. Australian's left this decision up to the poor indies who simply are not paid enough to take on that sort of responsibility.

Zardos, Brisbane (14 September 2010 3:07PM) wrote:
David I just heard you say that the LNP were ahead on TPP. That is wrong! The current numbers are: Two Party Preferred Enrolment: 14,088,260 Turnout: 90.41% Coalition Votes Percentage % Swing % Australian Labor Party 6,016,858 50.10 -2.60 Liberal/National Coalition 5,992,014 49.90 +2.60 Zardos

des, melb (13 September 2010 5:15PM) wrote:
see your bias hasn't changed after 6 weeks.what skills have arbib(pushed unskilled from dole to pink bats)shorten (i'm in the safest labor seat in Australia with Labor council-for the last month a campaign has been conducted for more disability respite/beds-Vic bushfire recovery a disaster).O'Rouke-predictable, biased, ,value zilch, B/S.put off cacelling sub for Foxtel due to hung gov,but can hardly wait to get rid of the whole Sky Labor bias come Oct.

Trevor White, Sydney (12 September 2010 9:11PM) wrote:
David, Im glad you could write a balanced blog entry .. (But if reforms do succeed, Tony Abbott will risk being seen as Mr Negative.) Im hoping that you can now can look more closely to Mr Abbott and his team because Stop the Boats is not going to work in this government.. and you can not write of Ms Gillard she is a fighter... So please David be more balanced in your reporting thank you

Peter Messner, Adelaide (11 September 2010 12:13PM) wrote:
I have been recently in the United States (Washington D.C.) and I voted at the Australian Embassy. While I was there, President Obama called the Republicans, the "Say No to Everything Party" This I believe correctly also applies to Tony Abbott and the Liberal Coalition. They are negative towards everything.

Dave Saunders, Melb (10 September 2010 5:54PM) wrote:
That's it?