Focus and discipline

It's time to take half a step back and examine where we are.

All this news of poll leads, preferred Prime Minister, "star" candidates and policy leadership is all well and good, but we're a long way from from where we need to be come election time.

We have 16 seats to pick up nationally. That, historically, is a very tough ask. People have responded extremely well to our team, seeing us now as a credible alternative government. However, we cannot expect John Howard and the government to stand idly by while we march into office.

The increasingly personal attacks on us are only the precursor to a wave of negative campaigning. Howard will seek to divide and conquer, both within our team, but also with the voting public.

As I told caucus yesterday, we must hold firm, keep our discipline, focus on policy leadership and credibility, and keep away from engaging at the personal level. Whilst we would all love to shout down the crass and feral attacks from the conservatives, only by showing great dignity and resolve will we give ourselves the chance to pick up those 16 seats needed to form the next Federal Labor Government.