(a) it seemed to me that Rudd was quite beneficial of timing, which is a political asset in and of itself, rather than anything else (work choices, maybe, excepted).

(b) he did though at least project an image of competence. I’m not sure if this is true here but in Canada, a journo named Paul Wells always says that the opposition has to act like a government in waiting to win an election.

(c) his expertise in China is one of the things that seems to be mentioned but not fully appreciated in the election coverage. This is perhaps the biggest reason to celebrate his victory, at least for me.

(d) the fight is not over.

(e) I worked for the AEC at a primary school during election day doing absent and provisional ballots followed by endless vote counting (16 hours of names, addresses and numbers!). The scene during the day was maybe more joyous than after the result.

Dancing on Saturday night after Howard’s concession speech was the most free and joyous I (and the friends I was with) can remember feeling. I am still wary of putting all my faith into the change, but for the first time in years feel as though engaging with political processes through work, activism and debate will be the fruitful and enjoyable experience I believe it always should be, as opposed to the soul destroying pain of dealing with the former Government. And this feels so damn good I still can not wipe the smile off my face!