This Week

The bloggers lament: Not enough time! Caught between work, family and social obligations, the blog lapses.

Still, it's been an interesting week.

No election in August. Not surprising given the polls and the incumbent's lack of 'ticker.' My guess is 23 October. Howard won't risk going without George, who's on the block in November. Not much use pushing the scare line of risking the alliance with Labor if there's a new US president.

Speaking of the US, full marks to Latham for telling the US busybodies to keep their noses out of our domestic politics. You'd think they'd have enough problems of their own without worrying about ours, too.

Howard's policy speech in Adelaide tells us nothing new. Are we surprised? Not really. He serves up a lot of motherhood statements, and not much else.

All governments have a 'use by' date. Three terms seems to be the magic number. Once exceeded, the ruling party lacks ideas and drive, to be replaced by a born to rule arrogance. Unfortunately, some governments have to be elected for one term too many before it becomes obvious to the electorate. (NSW may be a current example.) Let's hope that doesn't happen before the end of the year.