Labour party is as close to irrelevent as they can get.They need...

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.