Right Pulse

Interesting insight into the political views of Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop. I always considered Bishop left of centre, and her interview on Insiders has confirmed this view. When asked about Abbott’s upcoming book on conservatism, her response was vague enough to indicate that she does not care much for Abbott’s conservative views:

BARRIE CASSIDY: And just finally, Tony Abbott says that what the Liberals need right now is more conservatism. Is he right about that?

JULIE BISHOP:…He hasn’t yet brought this idea to the party room but when he does I certainly look forward to a healthy and robust debate.

In other words, ‘I disagree with Abbott’s social conservatism and will fight him in the party room.’ Bishop has previously given strong support for abortion rights during the debate over funding abortions in third world countries, that took place at the beginning of the year. Earlier in the interview Bishop basically came out as a ‘progressive’ in the same vein that Gillard implied that she is a ‘progressive’ during a recent talk in the USA:

BARRIE CASSIDY:…An article in The Australian at the weekend put the argument that when it comes to renewal, your own state is the real drag on the ticket with ageing backbenchers going around yet again.

JULIE BISHOP:…In the United States I think the US Congress average age is about 67. Nancy Pelosi would be thrown out under this scenario.

And that would be a terrible thing? So Bishop holds up Nancy Pelosi up as a role model, despite her radical leftist views on economics, not to mention social issues. Cassidy should have sought more clarity on Bishop’s response.

This interview is symptomatic of what’s wrong with the opposition. One might criticise Howard’s conservatism, but it brought the Coalition nearly 12 years of power. By contrast Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop as a pair of ‘progressives’ don’t even look like winning power anytime soon, despite the fact that the budget is a shambles and that Rudd governs like a PR consultant. Barnaby Joyce is doing his bit in the National Party, Abbott might have to do the same for the Liberal Party to give them any chance.