Talking in my online community - the state of play in Canberra

The Libs can only move to the Centre.

Being in Opposition you have to take the cat and mouse approach. You're the cat and you hunt down the government, who is the mouse. And on every possible issue you try to trap the government in a corner.

Christopher Pyne who is running for Deputy, was applying a strategy like this yesterday in an interview on SKY News Agenda. Pyne wouldn't comment on policies of the past nor give insight into policies for the future. Pyne took the position that now his party is in Opposition they have to see what the Government do on policy and take up their position on the issues from there.

With this approach the Opposition let the people watch what the Government does, then give themselves traction with the voters by outlining how they will improve on what is happening. It makes them appear progressive and active. It's a basic game of one-upmanship.

Again from SKY News, the Victorian Liberals are pushing for a Turnbull/Robb leadership. Turnbull's vision and profile, complimented by Robb's political nous and vast experience.

Also SKY News think Peter Garrett won't get the Environment portfolio, but rather the Arts and Indigenous Affairs. Personally, I think Garrett is competent enough for a major portfolio, but his past history as an activist would make him a too large target for the conservatives who would take the line that Garrett's agenda on environmental issues could undermine the sustainability of the coal industry re emissions and the farming industry re water availability.

I'd like to see Rudd go with Garrett in Environment, because he would be a very effective public relations figure head who could educate young people on an issue that is relevant to and of concern to generation y. With a relateable spokesperson like Peter Garrett, this could really portray a Rudd Government as being progressive, but I think the new PM will err on the side of reducing his new administration as a target from Opposition fire.

I think the realities of politics will, as they most often do, override the potential of progressive policy and appointments, but hey, if Garrett's appointment is to Aborigines and the Arts, he can work to bring these communities further into our society. If Garrett is appointed to this portfolio it will be good for these members and the whole country.