Article by Cameron Spink

I seem to recall Julia Gillard promising us that “there's more chance of me becoming the full-forward for the Dogs than there is any chance of a change in the Labor party”. Now she is the Prime Minister and it still remains impossible for her to become the Bulldog’s full-forward (what with all AFL stars being male). However, she has now become the first female Prime Minister so in that regard she has certainly broken through the perceived sexism of federal parliament perhaps it is not such a big stretch that she would oust Barry Hall and spearhead the Dogs.

In all seriousness this is bad news from the Australian public. Aside from her deliberate manipulation of the Labor party whilst remaining in the background Gillard is also an outspoken Fabian Socialist and does not prescribe to Christian ethics. For some Christians this seems best, that Australia be run by secularists rather than Christians. However, this logic is lost on me. I’d prefer to see someone who will represent this nation who adheres to our Creator.

Julia Gillard does not fit the profile of someone who gives one jolt of her times considering God’s plans for this nation. Tony Abbott does. Although he may not be the incident-proof leader he does offer a decidedly more significant adherence to Christ than Gillard.

Julia Gillard has managed to remain incident-free for the better part in her time as Deputy Prime Minister. Where Kevin Rudd was challenged over his Emissions Trading Scheme, the insulation debacle and, most recently, the super-profits mining tax Gillard has done her best to become a chameleon and blend in with the background. Gillard, however, must be accountable for the education revolution that she lead causing $16 billion to apparently vanish from the federal budget. Many political commentators describe it as “rorting” funding and label it as the biggest bungle in political history.

In the end what helped Gillard achieve what no other woman in a de facto relationship has done has, perhaps, more to do with Rudd’s mistakes than Gillard’s accomplishments. Ever since the super-profits mining tax Rudd and Labor have been on the back foot. They have received pressure from every direction and taken a hit in the polls. So much so that Gillard must make up ground to remain competitive in the coming election.

Julia Gillard has been biding her time. She waited patiently to step into the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party and ever since she has waited for the Rudd slip-up that would allow her to take control. Now she is feasting on Rudd’s political carcass. Maybe that is the way all politicians would act given the chance. Were I a secularist that prescribed to evolution it would make sense. The strong survive and anyone with the slightest weakness is destroyed. However, I am not, and the power that Gillard has been and will exert makes me very distressed.