“I would say to the borrowers of Australia who are affected by this change that I am sorry about that and I regret the additional burden that will be put upon them as a result.” (source SMH)

Yes, Howard has said sorry to the mortgage belt. He even did a back flip the other week and proposed recognising indigenous people in the preamble to our constitution.

But he still refuses to say sorry to the stolen generation. His reason for refusing to say sorry was (and still is) that it may expose the government to costs or litigation from those who were stolen. So does his saying sorry today mean that he accepts responsibility for the interest rate rise and acknowledges that the government could be liable for compensation for those who are effected by it?

Or is he just doing a Bob Hawke “me too” by crying in front of Australia?

Update 8 November: Howard has denied that he apologised. “I said I was sorry they occurred. I don’t think I used the word apology.” (Source SMH).

He also took pains to point out that taxpayers had received money from tax cuts back in July.

We get a share of the nations prosperity from tax cuts, but because of that very prosperity we have to give it to the banks. This dodgy accounting comes from someone we are asked to trust to run our economy!

Proof that political donations are not in the interests of democracy:

THE hotel industry is furious about the Government’s move to allow small bars to be introduced throughout NSW, claiming it has received little in return for the millions it donates to the ALP.

Source SMH

Me too! Me too!
I am also blogging on the “Me Too” phenomenon.

Two points:

First, this is a poll driven election. Both L & L appear to be formulating their policies based on polls and probably focus groups. IMHO this is why their policies are so similar.

Second, ideally elected members reach some sort of consensus on the bills before parliament. If they substantially agree now then it can only be a win for Australia.

Unfortunately, neither L nor L go far enough with environmental policies or GLBT rights. Neither will be getting my primary vote. But in preferences I will put L ahead of L.

We need money to put into health.
We need money to put into education.
We need money to put into indigenous communities.
We need money to put into the environment.

What will you vote for?
Money in your pocket!