Is Rudd a dud?

It is also hardly surprising that Labor reduced the solar energy $8,000 rebate for families whose incomes are in excess of $100,000 after the growing popularity of the program exceeded budgetary allocations.

In the end, Rudd is not a remarkable politician inspired by the great Bonhoeffer. He is a politician with policy shortcomings - as measured against his rhetoric - and has brought Australian federal political leadership to a new low in terms of promising the world but delivering little. This is why Rudd gradually shifted his persona from being a social democratic to fiscal conservative during 2007, although Rudd will argue that he can be both.

Rudd’s 2006 essays in The Monthly may have indeed highlighted shortcomings associated with neoliberalism, but his inability to find effective solutions for many struggling Australians in a world of competing nations also struggling to balance national and international considerations, proves why he is hardly revolutionary in social terms even when compared to a conservative Howard.

It remains to be seen how successful a Rudd Labor government will be, but I am not holding my breath.

If Rudd is concerned with leaving a legacy to match his ego, he should uphold the traditions of Labor to shift the balance of assistance to those most in need, even if the demands of the international economy continue to force Australian governments to give ongoing attention to competitive taxation levels and flexible labour markets.