As I watch John Howard concede defeat but not without inserting a good swag of sentimentality, I realise that we’re headed for a change of government in Australia. I’ve been watching ABC’s coverage on and off tonight and one broad attitude seems to be prevailing as the chief cause of the swing toward Labor, and that’s the “it’s time” factor. For a while towards the end of the election campaign, I was starting to worry that Aussies would get the last minute jitters and give in to the Coalition’s “strong economy” fear campaign. But they didn’t, and for that I’m thankful.

I don’t have a huge problem with the Howard government, but one obvious factor stands out as indicative of an underlying agenda with mildly malicious undertones. It reared it’s head like a dormant serpent in 2006 after the 2004 election saw the Howard government win the balance of power in the senate. It’s as if Work Choices had always been lurking there in the back of Howard’s mind, just waiting for an opportunity to force industrial relations reform completely unopposed. Is it just me, or does that just seem a bit tyrannical? As the full “potential” of Work Choices became apparent, it seemed obvious it was designed to take away worker’s rights rather than achieve anything else.

I’d like to think the swinging Aussies felt this too, and didn’t like it. I’m sure there are other factors, but I’m willing to call this election lost on the basis of Work Choices alone. That is to say that if it hadn’t been introduced, the Coalition would have retained government. That aside, I personally feel the current government has been in power for too long, and that Labor has finally got its act together, found a decent leader and deserves the victory.