Credible Opposition

This current Federal Opposition seems to be the first to pursue a totally opportunistic and partisan approach to everything - regardless of merit.

They take an opposing view of everything our government does - mainly because that generates "free" airtime for them. And airtime is the thing they desperately need to keep their faces in front of the folks who do the "actual" voting every three years.

Their approach is simple - and it can be summarised as "all publicity is good or bad - who cares". So you will see the Opposition circus animals doing all those weird and wonderful things that they somehow couldn't manage to do when they last were pulling the levers in government.

You will see many more things like "The Mad Monk" promising to deliver unlimited maternity leave - in the hope of capturing the support of a particular constituency - in this case young women. Of course when he was last in government he vowed and declared that "maternity leave" would be delivered over his dead body - but hey never let the facts get in the way of a bit of free publicity from a media that needs stories.

My guess is his next target will be younger folks - who seem to have already seen through "The Monk's" particular brand of smarmy, opportunistic and conservative self interest.

They don't produce any policy substance of their own - what spew’s out are "thought bubbles" that they dreamed up over a bottle or two of "jungle juice" at their favourite Canberra restaurant last evening and then get a run in the media for a period of between 30 seconds and 24 hours.

They have a series of *numbnut* members who run with particular themes - because that is what gets them media attention. Think Barney Rubble and the Mad Monk.

Between now and the election you will see Barney, the Monk and other assorted performers including acrobats, clowns, trained animals and trapeze acts running with the confected story of "The Federal Opposition" - 2010 edition.

Don't be alarmed - just look, listen, learn and laugh - because the one thing they seem to have left behind is the most important - credibility.

Malcolm knows that and has already jumped ship.