Beattie seemed ropeable about the entire affair and naturally wants it resolved asap; he mentioned almost in passing that he supported Gillard, but obviously has to live with Rudd in Qld.

We live in interesting times, mayhap.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The government of Australia has been held ferociously to account; and even though some of our best and brightest candidates are tonight struggling to retain their seats, I feel sure that the postal and absentee votes will flow strongly to the coalition and that we may well lose only 20 seats. Calm down, you are an enthusiastic audience, but the tar and feathers are uncalled for.

The people of Australia have voted, and though we may not agree with the way the vote went, I call upon you all to abide by the verdict of the majority, slender though it may be.

My wonderful team, Joe Hockey, Christopher Pyne, Julie Bishop, and Warren Truss amongst others did their very best, and it is not their faults that we did not win.

But we did not lose, we came second – and we are close enough in the vote to continue to hold the government ferociously to account.

On behalf of my team I dedicate the rest of my time in politics to ferociously opposing every policy reasonably capable of being opposed, whatever it may be and wherever it may be found. We will fight them on the triathlon course, we will fight them on the beaches . . . and anywhere else.

Thank you and good night.

A reminder of what he said in 2010, election night included :

“There should be no premature triumphalism tonight. There should simply be an appreciation that this has been a great night for the Australian people and I thank the Australian people, wherever they are, whoever they voted for, for their commitment to this great democracy.”

“The Australian people want their government to end the waste, to repay the debt, to stop the big new taxes, to stop the boats and to provide a fair go for struggling families.”

“They also responded to our longer term agenda. They want local control of schools and hospitals. They want practical measures to improve our environment. They want strong policies is to help families and above all else they want a strong economy that’s managed by a government which understands the needs of small business.”

“Everything that I have achieved in public life has been achieved with the support and encouragement of my family, and I point out to everyone in I point out to everyone in this room who has worked so hard to bring about a good result that my darling angel wife, Margie, she was delivering to the food to the hungry booth workers of Warringah, and my other children up here were handing out how to votes in the electorate of Lindsay.”

“In the end, this election is not about us. It is about our country and it is incumbent on us to offer Australia the better government that a great country needs and deserves”

A fine mixture of triumphalism and humbug, along with wishful thinking and platitudes.

Expect more of the same.

I may write his real speech shortly – watch this space.

Rudd won’t quit his seat but he might absent himself from confidence votes pleading a throbbing aorta, which leaves the numbers tight and depending on the slippery Slipper. But on balance I think those whose power depends on this parliament will prolong it.

I was wrong when I said the challenge would be last Thursday but right when I said it would be next Monday. Rudd will be smashed by the vote and Gillard get a surge I think after Bligh survives.

And oh yes, Bligh will survive.

Will Rudd pull pin if he doesn’t get his own way, to martyr himself and allow his electorate to decide the fate of the Government rather than the “faceless”? Bourke’s smarminess that of course Rudd wouldn’t quit and Swans nasty comments may push him this way.

Hawker Britton won’t get much work if Rudd loses will they?

By resigning he is free to do his worst. Let’s see how those numbers fall next week. Maybe a surprise or two to come.

It is not to say that we are the default party and stand here only by the failure of the Gillard Government. The Australian people have also recognized in our efforts in Opposition during the last few years, our dedication to highlighting misdirected Government policy, our steadfastness to our principles of what is right, what is best for the nation, what is affordable, and that our word is our bond. We have presented a new approach, new policies honed by an experienced team and the people of Australia have invested their faith in us to stay true to them before we stay true to ourselves.

I can promise the Australian people what we say is what we mean, what we promise, we will deliver, what we achieve we achieve together with the Australian people.

Tony Abbott acceptance speech October 2012

You’re right about Rudd. What a cunt. Labor needs to elect Shorten, Combet or Smith and then get behind them. Beazley is the Man, but shifting McClelland is like one of those Monster Moves shows on SBS. He should resign and let Beazley take his seat.

Cheers

The reference to NSW Libs was elliptical; I meant to say that the infestation of Labor by the Christian Right is not unique in NSW/Fed politics but across the board.

For Jennifer Wilson’s blog, I suffered through reading the woman’s maiden speech, as fine a collection of motherhood statements and platitudes as ever I have seen in one place.

The ALP have always had a DLP element, except for the 30 years after the Split of the 1950s, and it seems to be resurgent.

I could lose my preselection.

And you’re right again, Mr Serve and Volley outspent and out-doorknocked her. That was my point.

All clean now?

Buffoon.

They will soon be just as accurate and useful as ninemsn and other “voluntary” polls – ie not at all useful, except in the propaganda war.

Perhaps they should be prohibited from publication by legislation.