Labour party is as close to irrelevent as they can get.
They need some credible leadership, some policies that are sensible and they can call their own... and a clean out of the ranks...
Hardly think that Bush loses any sleep at all at all about a possible Labour win in Australia.
Australia has been closely aligned with the US (I guess what upChuck refers to as 'lap-dog status" in his confusion) for many years... it hasnt done us too badly overall. It seems to have been a sensible choice that I would be happy to see continuing and deepening further.
Given that it is in our interests, and in reality almost a necessity for our survival, to be closely aligned with other more powerful countries, I cant think of a better group than the US and the US allies to be closely aligned with.
