The poverty of Australian Labor politics

In Australia we supposedly have a two party political system, with a few minor parties hanging around the periphery such as Greens etc... Unfortunately over the past decade or so the two main parties, Liberal and Labor, have become increasingly indistinct in their policies and philosophical approach. This is largely the fault of the Australian Labor Party which has abandoned all pretense at being a party of Social Democratic reform and simply pursues power at any cost. The main opposition in Federal Parliament appears to be liberal minded Liberal Party MPs on the backbench, and the ALP can't seem to connect with the wider community. Even an 'own goal' by the Liberal government with their disastrous workplace 'reform' legislation is unlikely to lead to their defeat in the next Federal Election due in 2007. Prime Minister John Howard is congenitally dishonest, hence the ironic nickname 'Honest John', and is the greatest teflon coated leader in Australian history. Major scandals such as 'children overboard' , the Iraq War, and the AWB wheat fiasco, simply slide off him and his government.

The Labor opposition is to blame. Kim Beazley is the most incompetent opposition leader in Australian history. Please, please give us some decent leadership in the ALP, and not just another faceless machine man bowing down to the faction leaders. Mark Latham was crucified by the party, and was also his own worst enemy, but at least he had a shot. Who has the guts to challenge Howard next time? Big Kim will probably just roll over and let Little Johnny tickle his tummy like last time.
What about Julia Gillard? At least she has balls...