Break out the golden syrup – Rudd is the Waffle Master

Kevin Rudd spoke for approximately 44 per cent longer than Tony Abbott at last night’s Rooty Hill people’s forum and yet Australia is still scratching its collective head wondering exactly what positive plans the Prime Minister intends to deliver if re-elected. In fact Mr Rudd made no sense at all as he waffled his way through pointed questions from Western Sydney voters, including whether he “honestly” believed he wasn’t destabilising Julia Gillard’s leadership. A 324 word response followed where Mr Rudd attempted to absolve himself of any responsibility for the grubby campaign levelled against his former leader. It took Mr Rudd another 369 words to fail to explain how he’d pay for his uncosted promises including his Northern Territory economic thought bubble and yet-to-be-determined company tax cut; the classic policy-on-the-run Garden Island Navy base announcement; and why he persists with his big black hole fib. And yet the audience left the forum none the wiser. Despite only being asked 16 questions during the hour-long debate, Mr Rudd was directed to either come back to the question or wrap up his response on 13 separate occasions. Mr Rudd sounded both confused and desperate – and there’s no doubt his policy-on-the-run Foreign Investment Review Board announcement would have come as a surprise to his Treasurer and Cabinet colleagues. Three more years of Mr Rudd would mean more debt, more taxes, more boats and more waffle. 29 August 2013