Let me just say this...

For those of you who are non Australian, the above line is the way in which our new Prime Minister pre-phrases many of his answers to questions which he doesn't want to give a straight answer.

Yesterday the people of Australia combined to vote in a new government. A government of young fresh ideas, most of which we haven't been told about yet. So I guess you could say we're a trusting mob here in Australia. We do know however, that we will be signing as a matter of great urgency a piece of paper that really has very little value. It remains to be seen whether the new young team will have the balls to actually do anything about environmental issues, or whether the major corporations will be able to seduce them like they did the former government. We also know that we will be sending warships to protect whales from our Japanese scientific friends, who some how need to slaughter hundreds of these animals so that they can research them and ultimately save them. Yeah right.... We will also be bringing home our troops from Iraq, well actually, I'm pretty sure if you read the fine print, that will be all our combat troops, which I think is about 30% of our total deployment.

For me, Iraq, the war on terrorism, and the "coalition of the willing", has been the most embarrassing part of former Prime Minister Howards' 11 years in office. I honestly can't believe that under international law, Blair, Bush and Howard weren't charge with war crimes. I mean, invading another country to liberate them, or their oil, surely must constitute a crime. I did notice our now new Prime Minister, just recently try to rewrite history by spinning the line that his party had vigorously opposed the invasion of Iraq. I seem to remember that the opposition leader of the time, Simon Crean was missing in action, from any debate on the subject.

My real concern about the new political scene in Australia is the lack of opposition the new government will have. Howard was a strong leader, no potential leadership depth in the party behind him. His demise will likely leave the now opposition floundering and self destructing in much the same way that Labour did after the Keating defeat. Government without opposition does none of us any favours. Democracy fails to work without effective and meaningful opposition. Hopefully someone will rise from the opposition ranks to provide us with alternative views and debate. Frankly I can't see Peter Costello, the leader apparent being that person.

Five or so years ago I believed that Kevin Rudd would be our next Prime Minister, as there was no viable successor to John Howard amongst the Liberals, and frankly there was only Rudd in the Labour Party. Let us hope that Prime Minister Rudd can lead his government for the benefit of Australia, and not be lead instead by a party full of factions all wanting their prize for helping him get elected .