Rudd’s refugee media blitz is just confusing voters, because they don’t want confusing jargon filled explanations, they just want action. Kevin Rudd needs to dump the political cliches and rethink his media strategy, writes Christian Kerr.
Kevin Rudd 
Cassin: Time to reopen the republic wounds
The republic debate has fallen off the national agenda not because of the GFC, but because our nation’s leaders — most of them republicans — don’t want to admit the only preference that would pass involves a president elected by the people not the parliament, says Ray Cassin.
Rudd throws water on the asylum seeker flames
Kevin Rudd isn’t fighting the Opposition over refugees, he’s battling the media, and desperately attempting to depoliticise the issue. Look for the telltale Rudd fear fuelled top lip disappearance.
Grattan: Is this the end of the Coalition?
The Coalition is straining to stay together, as the Nationals — lead symbolically by Barnaby Joyce — try to forge their own identity separate to the Libs. But the Coalition would be better off staying together to fight Rudd, writes Michelle Grattan.
Let’s not abandon them to die at sea
Another boat has sunk, leaving desperate asylum seekers to drown in their attempts to get a better life. Amongst all the tough talking and negotiations with Indonesia, we mustn’t forget ourselves as a civilised nation, writes Tony Kevin.
Hartcher: The unstoppable tropical mess of Fiji
Fiji’s military ruler Frank Bainimarama has gone rogue, officially severing diplomatic ties with Australia. We’ve responded by putting on aid sanctions. But since historically sanctions don’t bring about regime change, why bother? asks Peter Hartcher.
Sheridan: Being hypocritical appears to be the Australian Solution
So, Indonesia did Australia a favour by agreeing to take boat people and house them in their detention centres and all they’ve got from it is a bunch of bad publicity? Time for the lefties to get over the fanatical hypocrisy and stop supporting people smugglers, writes Greg Sheridan.
Bob Ellis: Newspoll is the Bill O’Reilly of statistics
Why do we believe Newspoll’s latest results? asks Bob Ellis. The pollster has been clearly inconsistent, isn’t forthcoming with its methodology and has no checks — yet we view it as an independent authority?
Kerr: Rattled Rudd stops tweeting, starts talking
That crappy Newspoll rating must have really scared Kevin Rudd, because he’s gone on a media rampage. But none of that normal tweeting stuff for our PM 2.0, it’s back to traditional media and a television interview blitz, notes Christian Kerr.
Tough new restrictions on visits to detention centres
Serco — the company behind troubled UK immigration detention centres and prisons and now the contractor in Australia — has introduced a tough new regime to inhibit visitors to Australian detention centres, writes Trish and John Highfield.
Don’t kid yourself Kev, it’s not just the refugees
Yesterday’s damning Newspoll result wasn’t just because of the government’s “tough but humane” rhetoric on asylum seekers. What about all the other stuff ups by the Rudd government like climate change, Timor Sea oil spill and supporting a corrupt Afghan government?
The growing force of Barnaby Joyce
Queensland is critical to federal politics, with a growing population and influential seats, but its parties are a mess. The Nationals criticise the Liberals, the Libs fear the power of the LNP and Barnaby Joyce is just looking after himself, writes Scott Prasser.
Carney: Can the real Kevin Rudd please stand up?
For all his tweeting, Kevin Rudd is still a mystery to most Australians, says Shaun Carney. Political leadership isn’t just about setting policy and a workaholic attitude, it’s also about leading the national mood.
Kelly: How next year will unfold for Wayne and Kevin
Avoiding a recession has become both a gift and a burden to the Rudd government, writes Paul Kelly. Expect a battle between managing the economy recovery and spending on big ticket election issues — climate change, health and households. Can Swan reign in spending?
Costello: I agree with Rudd on refugees, stand tough
It’s easy to criticise government policy on asylum seekers from the comfort of your middle class life, which will never see the inside of a leaky boat. We need to take a clear stand against people smugglers, says Peter Costello.
Shocking. Watch punter Kevin go off
The PM was on Shocking in the Melbourne Cup. Which pretty much covers his response.
Eva Cox: Rudd losing high moral glow
There has been a lot of speculation about the causes of the big drop in the government’s popularity writes Eva Cox. Is it because it Kevin Rudd’s morals have disappeared and we see he’s just another expedient political animal?
Kevin Rudd knows nothing, even less than Alan Jones
The Prime Minister has developed a too-cute-by-half strategy of professing ignorance about the handling of events in Indonesia, reflecting his ongoing struggle to find a communications strategy that will enable him to get control of the issue again.
Finally, the Opposition stop looking like idiots
It’s taken the Federal Opposition quite a while, but it’s now making the government the issue, not itself, writes Lenore Taylor. Now Turnbull just has to make sure Coalition members keep their heads down and mouths shut until the next election. Good luck with that.
Is it time for Australia to become a republic?
It’s ten years since the republic referendum failed and it’s time to restart the debate, says George Williams. Let’s have an initial popular vote to establish we do want a republic, then vote again for the type of republic we want.
Crikey Says: Rudd leads the nation, not the ALP
The Coalition should give up — its best and brightest have left politics and now work for Kevin Rudd. And Rudd’s power as national leader now looks unassailable.
How will history judge Rudd?
Kevin Rudd cares deeply for his historical legacy, but it’s not yet time to pen History of Rudd the Great. Refugee policy, preventative health and tax changes will all mark his prime ministership, says Josh Gordon.
Mungo MacCallum: Mungo: Tough stance on boat people borders on the ridiculous
“Border protection” — the very phrase is ominous. It evokes a country under siege, its frontiers threatened by the rampaging armies of Attila the Hun. No wonder our politicians feel that they have to be tough about it.
