The
Government’s success is based on economic good times. And, as the markets
adjust to the certainty of an interest rate rise of two, it’s been enlightening
to hear the Prime Minister’s priority issues over the last weeks:

  • An identity card
  • The English curriculum in high
    schools
  • Citizenship tests
  • Tighter gun laws
  • The sale of Medibank Private
  • Uranium

What other
distractions will he offer before the Budget if the RBA lifts rates this week? Same sex
marriage? More on welfare? The flag?

John Howard will be keen to distract the battlers from the sixth
interest rate rise in a row – including two increases since the 2004 election –
particularly since if they go up as expected this week, rates will be at their
highest level in more than five years.