One of the visual delights waiting for GWB's visit to Sydney is a bloody great fence through the middle of town to keep the great unwashed in their place, ie "out". Australians as a stereotype have a rather laid back approach to politics, politicians and the nonsense that surrounds them. The sorts of security-based disruptions caused by visitors from the US Executive are not nearly as welcome (however justifiable) as the visitors themselves and there are many who regard GWB as not nearly as welcome as Al Gore. Whether they'd throw rocks, though, is not certain. Overripe tomatoes, perhaps. [I'm led to believe that is was an egg that connected with a politician that justified the establishment of the Federal Policce and/or ASIO.

It's quite possible that the hassle to those who want (or have) to use the centre of Sydney in the next week or so will cause many to regard Howard and his govt as too supportive of Bush and his policies (or lack of them) on various issues and become more hostile in their voting. This may support Rudd or it may support the minor parties; the latter may translate into increased support for Rudd.

But that's just the House of Reps. A majority there is important because that's where the govt is formed but the conservative Coalition would still control the Senate unless a landslide occurred.

Cheers, Rowan