Whilst the culture was fostered by the 'biggest little man' ever to be promoted above his level of competence..Geoff, don't forget this culture had the unashamed supoport of the right wing think tanks that permeated the liberal party and created 'workchoices'
Without a change of government a pronounced downturn would see even more hardship than is currently evident. That hardship would as usual be borne by the rank and file.
As to AJ too early to drop your guard, big on words doesn't translate to any different in practice to his predesessor...