Social Media, Surplus & Shelter

MINORITY GOVERNMENT Lance Roger asked: Tony Abbott has said he would not be interested in leading any minority government following the election. Would Kevin Rudd? And if so, on what already announced Labor Party policies would he be prepared to compromise? MURDOCH AND MEDIA Michelle Slater asked: Today’s Daily Telegraph’s front page splashed “Finally you have the chance to Kick This Mob Out” regarding Labor. Is this a blatant breach of basic balance and journalistic ethics? Or is it fair editorial comment? ELECTIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA Leisa O’Connor asked: I have a 17 year old daughter who won’t vote this year but will next time – active debater, articulate, well educated. Like generations of youth before her she has strong opinions on refugees, gay marriage and social justice and recent policy changes on both sides have made her equally disgusted. But it’s clear she is influenced heavily because Kevin communicates so effectively in the world where she lives – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. Even if she doesn’t agree with the policies – she is swayed because she feels Kevin Rudd is more in touch. I wondered if the Coalition is fighting on the right battlefront? OBAMA’S ‘DIGITAL ATTACK DOGS’ Charlotte Regan asked: Just a few days ago we learnt Rudd has hired 3 overseas election campaigners, one of whom was dubbed 'Obama's digital attack dog'. Another, Matthew McGregor, was reported as being good at getting spoof videos online within minutes of a mistake being made by his opponents. How does importing US style negative advertising, square with Rudd's stated intention of 'no more negativity'? CAN ABBOTT BE POSITIVE? David Bright asked: Until now, Tony Abbott had been able to capitalise on Labor's policy mistakes and internal fighting. However, it seems the tide had turned and simple criticism and negativity may no longer be effective. Will Tony Abbott struggle to articulate a positive, policy focused message rather than simple negativity? LABOR AND SURPLUS Joshua Crawford asked: Despite raising taxes across the board, from the mining tax, to the FBT, the carbon tax, the smokers tax, and the banking tax, Australia's debt still seems to increase with every Treasury report. Kevin Rudd has asked us to trust him like we trusted John Howard, but can we ever have faith that a government he leads will actually be able to achieve a surplus? QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR Audience member asked: I just wanted to ask, in comparison to Greece and Italy whom have put in austerity measures which have made it worse, as opposed to what we have in Australia, they put money into the economy and it seems to have improved it? AFFORDABLE HOUSING Richard Bray asked: Housing affordability is the number one issue for voters according to a recent survey, yet Labor and Liberal have been silent on this issue. Successive governments have increased incentives for domestic and foreign investors, which has helped create this problem. Home buyers are constantly outbid by investors, turned away by high prices and remain renting. This keeps rents high and pushes low income earners into housing stress and homelessness. When will both sides of government make the hard, yet necessary, tax and policy changes to address this issue? ASYLUM – RACE TO THE BOTTOM Maeve McGregor asked: Mr Cameron, you’ve often reiterated the importance of developing refugee policy in accordance with international law and human rights. After Julia Gillard was deposed, you told Lateline you were ‘pretty convinced’ Rudd wouldn't indulge in ‘a race to the bottom’ on refugees. Given Rudd’s radical and entirely unprincipled change in position, which you support, are you not participating in rank hypocrisy for short-term political gain?