It's a tough one.
Howard has repeatedly lied to us, and he's a pig of a man, but his Treasurer, Peter Costello, is a miracle worker. Our economy IS one of the strongest uin the western workld, interest rates ARE at historical lows, and the aussie dollar is doing pretty well too.
Latham is socially centrist and economically leftist; a populist. I dislike populists usually anyway, but add the fact that he comes from Sydneys' western suburbs and he's worse
I prefer his to Howard, but I like neither.
Because of preferential voting, there is also the realistic option of voting thirs party, and in the end if I could vote i'd probbabl;y vote for the Australian Democrats; socially moderate left, economically moderate right. Thn,l as a protest vote, i'd vote Greens, and have the Labor party as my first 'major party' preference.
Also, because we elect on a seat-by-seat basis, it adds the two candidates for my seat. The liberals have nominated a centrist, who seems like a nice bloke, for my seat-which has been Labor for every election after 1903. Every single election
.
The incumbent is Michael Danby, a great bloke who's been in parliament since 1998. He's the former editor of Melbourne's jewish newspaper, and is really involved in the community even though he's also in parliament. Because he is Jewish, he is good to represent the seat, which has a significant minority majority. Melbourne' Greek, Russian, Jewish and Spanish communities are based here to a large degree, although many yuppies and empty nester WASPs are moving in because it is a 'hot' region for property.
So basically, becuase of the local candidate, i'd definently be voting Labor above Liberal. In other seats, it would be dependent on the candidate too, and I would possibly consider voting for the Liberal in Lathams' seat if they were a centrist.
After all thatm, it's your choice. Latham is better then Howard, but is your local candidate for Labor better then the Liberal?
