Two blokes on the rise

As I drove the 3 kilometres home from central Sydney tonight I caught a lengthy discussion (did someone say traffic jam) between Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten, and someone else (who runs Harris Farm Markets) on 702. Both Turnbull and Shorten were clear, concise, and articulate. Both put their points strongly but without invective or malice.

Turnbull, federal Liberal member Wentworth, for did a great job of simultaneously slagging Bob Carr and NSW and advocating greater investment in public transport. Turnbull neatly avoided criticising public/private partnerships but still made it clear he saw the cross city tunnel as a disaster.

Shorten, AWU national secretary, likewise was strong on public transport and infrastructure generally, but was at his best on IR. In what was close to the ideal radio grab he detailed the findings of a recent study that found almost 100 percent of respondents had lost conditions since the workchoices reforms were enacted. In response to the hosts challenge that the same study found that workers also report wage increases, Shorten noted that the research showed that for many this increase was only a few cents... (I'll track down the report).

These two blokes appear well placed for future leadership roles within their respective parties . Both would be a hell of a lot better than the incumbents.