Big Green Ogres

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Brimming over with wrongosity.

CATHERINE MCGRATH: No, but their incomes are going to be reduced under a Labor Government, particularly for those earning under about $35,000 a year?

BOB MCMULLAN: Don't just be trite. These people don't live in segments to say, this is me in the tax package, and this is me, a different person in public housing. And this is me, a different person trying to go the doctor, and this is me, a different person worried about my kids going to school.

They're the same people, and I'm saying they will be the significant beneficiaries of what we're going to do in the tax package about finding them jobs, about public housing, about public schools, about Medicare, about all the other programs that we've got still to announce.

...

BOB MCMULLAN: I have not found the low income people in my constituency as unable to understand the range of benefits from government they benefit from as people who try to live their life in segments and say, but there was a decision you made over here that might affect these people adversely, which we don't accept.

But even if it were true, it is more than compensated by substantial improvements in public health, in Medicare, in public schools, in public hospitals, in the availability of dental care - the people on low incomes are the beneficiaries of all the major programs we've announced and they will continue to be. And fortunately for us, they know it.

Silence, plebs. The money is going to be used for the common good. It's not like the money belongs to you.

Bob's attitude to the media is equally charming:

The people on low incomes are the target of the public housing policy we've already announced, that the critics seem to have forgotten.

...

Don't just be trite

...

BOB MCMULLAN: Look, I have to say, they are smarter than the Press Gallery.

BOB MCMULLAN: It means they understand even if you don't.

BOB MCMULLAN: I have not found the low income people in my constituency as unable to understand the range of benefits from government they benefit from as people who try to live their life in segments and say, but there was a decision you made over here that might affect these people adversely, which we don't accept.

But even if it were true, it is more than compensated by substantial improvements in public health, in Medicare, in public schools, in public hospitals, in the availability of dental care - the people on low incomes are the beneficiaries of all the major programs we've announced and they will continue to be. And fortunately for us, they know it.

I don't have a high view of the media, but this criticism lacked style.