Kev's World

Teflon Kev

Hunter W.

Banned
I am back to write another timeline after many failures, but I am back to try again.

The end of the Howard years in the 2007 election heralded a new page in Australia's short history. The
newly elected Labor government, led by its Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd faced immediate economic pressures. The economy showed signs of contracting throughout September 2008, as the economy lurched towards recession. One by one, American investments were withdrawn. In an attempt to contain the crisis, a series of Keynesian initiatives were implemented, these included an immediate $10.4 billion stimulus package, almost entirely directed at retails and large sums of money for the poor and disadvantaged. Others included another $42 billion for temporary work programs. Announcing the government would "move heaven and earth to reduce the impact of the global recession". Education and housing recieved significant boosts, including $28.8 billion extra. Whilst the deficit was projected to reach sixty billion, this was largely forgiven as his popularity entered a honey-moon stage.

Most controversially, his government, the first in Australian history, apologized for the suffering endured by the indigenous people of Australia. Collectively known as the "Stolen generations."

The Building Education Revolution, or "BER" for short, which included substantial increases in government investment to train skilled builders for building the desperately needed houses. Direct government grants for road building and other regional infrastructure projects. Along with his renewed emphasis on the "Digital Education Revolution," which placed new directed funding to replace outdated education methods, and the introduction of laptops in classrooms. Tax rebates for working families with children were increased from 30-50%, Medicare surcharges were reviewed, with the introduction of means testing.

Other areas of government investment included insulation of the estimated 40% of Australian homes without adequate forms of heating. However, this didn't come without controversy. The revelations about the four deaths of workers whilst installing it caused public anger and condemnation. Rudd responded by sacking the minister responsible. That being, Peter Garret.

The issue of immigration was discussed extensively, with Rudd expressing support for the "Big Australia" concept, increasing average immigration to 300,000. And after several tragedies at sea, allowed large amounts of women and children refugees to settle in Australia, at the behest of the Coalition and other right-of-centre parties.

By mid 2009, some polls suggested the prospects of losing the next election were virtually zero, though the scandals over the insulation program had effect the popularity of the government as a whole, he remained comfortably high in the polls. However, unknown to the media, growing dissatisfaction within the Labor caucus about his authoritarian style and rudeness to colleagues caused resentment from his own deputy. By September 2009, he had been informed by fellow MP's of her possible future ambitions, as she and Labor rebels, frustrated by his "chaotic style" plotted to remove him. Rudd immediately worked on plans for her replacement, after consulting the Treasurer Wayne Swan, he removed her in front of a large press gallery. Effective immediately. This was done without the explicit approval of the Treasurer, and expressed his rage. Thereafter, after much debate Rudd convinced him to stay, promising to work on his behavior. This had the immediate effect of reducing Labor's standing in the polls.

The Coalition, still licking its wounds after it's defeat wasn't catching up, the numerous gaffes by its leader, Tony Abbott. By early 2010 it was still behind, sometimes by over ten points. Fearing his colleagues would take advantage of this, Rudd called an early general election for the 13th of March 2010. With hardly weeks to campaign the two leaders both engaged in "walk-about's" meeting constituents and scoring political points. Abbott mounted an alarmist campaign directed at the Labor government's immigration policy, whilst Rudd frequently criticized Abbots inflammatory personality and supposed lack of intelligence. By the Friday prior to the election early polls suggested Labor well ahead of their opponents. His government also formally signed the Kyoto protocol in its first term.

Kev and his 2010 election.png


The second term of Rudd was expected to be tough, the push-back over his proposed super profits tax on mining caused anger among both miners and their respective executives. Internationally, however, his success over his handling of the financial crisis and his diplomatic style was applauded. Unemployment also began to fall as the economy began to expand after a short period of stagnation, despite his often difficult personality, his colleagues managed to continue working with him (mostly due to his popularity).​
 
Last edited:
Stratosphere Kev

Hunter W.

Banned
The_Hon._Kevin_Rudd.jpg


In his second term, Kevin Rudd expressed his interest of increasing bi-lateral ties with Asia, specifically more emphasis on improving relations between China and Australia. The environment was also a main priority, including new initiatives to control pollution and putting Australia at the forefront of combating Climate change. In an effort to secure his position he demoted Wayne Swan, replacing him with the youthful Chris Bowen. To appease the Gillard loyalists within Labor, he offered Bill Shorten the post of Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, which he agreed. Other areas of concern were the continuing deficits in government expenditure. The means testing legislation designed to reduce the deficit never eventuated, as its unpopularity became apparent. In a policy stunt, Rudd adopted the Green's proposal for a emissions tax to provide more federal revenue, though this was later ruled out after significant media attention. He however clarified that he was confident the budget would return to a state of surplus in 2013.

The Liberals, after losing for the second time were desperate to find a new leader. In February 2011, former leader of the opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, rolled him after the recent polling rates had been released, which showed a significant decline in Coalition support.
 
Last edited:
You know, I was actually rather fond of Rudd. He's the only minister I remember seeing actually helping during the Queensland floods, instead of merely showing up for the news, and he was certainly more competent than his successors have been.

Not much to say about the actual TL so far, but I'll make sure to keep an eye on it.
 
I'll be watching this. Quiet interested to see how this goes (hopefully without any faceless men and Gillard and Co. deciding randomly that she wants the job).

Will be interesting to see how the coalition goes also with Turnbull returning to the leadership earlier.
 
Malcolm Turncoat

Hunter W.

Banned
There was however, touble ahead. The government balance of payments continued to drop against Australia's favor, unemployment rose in the second quarter of 2010 as economic confidence fell still further, the unwelcome media attention about the proposed Clean Air Act caused his personal ratings to momentarily fall. In response Rudd announced he would defer the legislation until 2012, citing the lack of bi-partisan support. Other complications included the perceived lack of success of his education revolution scheme, thereafter ordering an inquiry to research the claims. Whilst he promised renewed emphasis on health and education, his poll ratings continued to decline. In a press conference he offered his opinion on the issue saying "the government is having a bit of a rough patch."

The opposition, with its new leader accused Rudd of flip-flopping and suggesting that the proposed legislation would kill jobs, rendering many mines inoperable. While this had affecting his personal ratings, he was still by a wide margin, ahead in virtually every poll. Regardless of the fact, he was frequently attacked for his supposed lack of conviction, responding with an equally deep scythe into Malcolm Turnbull, saying "you know, I find it quite rich. He booted his mate out and then accuses me of having no conviction, and yet, has no loyalty for his leader, pathetic!, pathetic!", whilst Labor backbencher's roared with laughter. Coalition members attempted to assess the damage, as many glanced to the press gallery. While this was hailed as a watershed in his question time history it didn't come without criticism. The newspaper, the Daily Mail, printed numerous scathing attacks against Rudd for the incident, for trying to "reinvent himself as Paul Keating, and rest assured he isn't."
Ruddddd.png


He also accelerated offshore processing of refugees and asylum seekers. He also reaffirmed his belief in skilled immigration to a weary public, in September 2010 he indicated that immigration would be cut from the 300,000 target that he set when coming to power. The Labor government also re-opened the ETS, though it had been rejected in the Senate, he continued to gather support for it. Regardless of the fact Wayne Swan had successfully lobbied him to delay it several years previously.
 
Last edited:
Superman Kev

Hunter W.

Banned
By the end of 2011 the government, still popular after a year of turbulence, was still showing strongly in the polls. The threat presented by Gillard was minimal, as many of her colleagues within the government were now on the backbenches. Kevin Rudd continued to stress the need for a comprehensive government program to reduce emissions. In February 2012, he also promoted the implementation of same-sex marriage legislation. Thereafter, two bills were presented to the house on the issue that same month, while he was aware of the opposition within the Senate, he continued to support it regarding it as "well overdue."

With the support of Chris Bowen, and after consulting cabinet, he also announced his plans to reduce personal income taxes for the middle and lower brackets, designed to help parents who were struggling. Rudd, also delivered a national apology for the forced adoptions of Aborigines, something that was very much close to his heart. He thereafter pledged $7 million dollars for specialists whose job was to track down family connections. He also took a personal interest in education, with the implementation of the YourKids website, designed to help parents track the progress of their children, and while it had numerous technical difficulties, was instantly popular.

On the foreign front he supported the policy of containing the nuclear ambitions of North Korea. However, he was critical of intervention in Libya. Warning of the consequences of preemptive actions. He also sought to foster close relations with the American President, Mitt Romney. While making approaches to China frequently and engaging with Beijing. This attracted criticism from some media outlets, for his departure from total reliance on ANZUS for Australia's defence requirements. China also outstripped the United Kingdom as the largest source of immigrants.

r587779_3741639.jpg

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with the Vice President of China, Xi Jinping.
 

Hunter W.

Banned
Sorry for not writing that much, I am just 'not feeling it'. If anyone wants to pitch in that'd be great, PM me if you want to. I'll keep on going though.
 
Kev Gone Wild

Hunter W.

Banned
url-1.jpeg


As the year 2012 approached, Australia was one of the few best preforming economies in the OECD, despite a stubbornly high budget deficit. Unemployment began to fall too, with the total percentage of Australians out of work decreasing to 5.5%. In addition to the handsome 2.5% growth rate in the same period. He also placed emphasis on the integration and settlement of refugees, opening three new administrative centres across the country. In early 2013 he announced plans to settle 16,000 asylum seekers, most of whom were women and children. This was eventually followed by a supplementary pledge to settle additional refugees over the next three years, finalizing negotiations with the Malaysian government in 2011 on the subject. While the previous attempt to transfer refugees from Malaysia had been halted due to its supposed invalid clauses. In late 2012 he worked closely with Nick Xenophon to introduce poker machine reform, to tackle the issue of family gambling, this caused some of the parliamentary caucus to cross the floor on the bill. Regardless of the opposition, Rudd continued to lobby for support of the legislation, and was thereafter passed.

Other more contentious issues included his push to legalize same-sex marriage, which quickly became a conscience vote among both Labor and Opposition politicians, and eventually, after much debate, it failed to pass.

Regardless of his failure to legalize gay marriage he mounted his re-election campaign for the 2013 election, secure in his popularity and renewed economic confidence, the Coalition failed to gain any tangible traction.
 
Top