24 hours is a long time
The days are slipping by fast. Each one blends in to the other, and it's difficult to recall what happened over the previous 24 hours. Keeping up with the growing demands of the 24-news cycle has already proved far more challenging than just three years ago, during the 2010 campaign.
As the commercial television networks continue to increase their number of news programs, it follows that more is required of reporters on the road. Gone are the days of filing one story a day, then heading to the pub! It's only now, as I type while sitting on the plane, that I finally get time to take stock of the day that was.
I think back to the start of the day, and quickly realise I'm in no position to whinge. As I headed outside of my hotel to do a live cross for Sunrise, I bumped into Tony Abbott returning from his early morning bike ride.
I don't know how he does it. Regardless of what you think of him as a politician, Abbott's discipline and stamina to maintain his exercise regime during the campaign is phenomenal and is something to be admired. Like Kevin Rudd, he seems to survive on five or less hours of sleep each night.
In Australia, we have a considerable lack of respect for our politicians. Sometimes, it's a healthy irreverence that we treat them with. Many other times though, it is over the top. Of course, politicians do bring this upon themselves with their petty political games and short-term, self-interested policy making. But most of them do have a burning desire to make our country a better place. It takes an incredible level of motivation and passion to do the job that our national leaders do, especially in the brutal public spotlight.
Jobs is quickly established as the theme of the day. With the national unemployment figures to be released later in the morning, Tony Abbott makes a pledge to boost jobs in Tasmania his centrepiece. His plan involves providing subsidies to employers who hire the long-term unemployed and keep them in work for at least six months. Tasmania has the worst unemployment rate in Australia, so the Coalition believes the policy will be a winner.
Of the five federal seats in Tasmania, the Coalition holds not one. This election, it is hoping to pick up at least two. They are Bass, which centres on Launceston, Braddon, which centres on Devonport. The feeling I get on the streets in these electorates is that there is a mood for change. One issue that could discourage them from voting for the Coalition is the GST.
As I wrote yesterday, opening the door to a discussion on the Goods and Services Tax is a dangerous strategy for the Coalition. Using phrases like "we have no plans" to change it sounds like weasel words. Abbott finally toughened his language today, saying "the GST is not going to change, full stop." For his sake, it was about time.
