Prime Minister Rudd has given himself a pat on the back for honouring and implementing many of his pre-election commitments, yet we are experiencing increasing interest rates, high petrol prices and spending more money at the supermarket.

Mr Rudd has moved to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, but we haven’t yet seen any legislation which would lead to a decrease in carbon emissions. Similarly, Mr Rudd has said “sorry” but we haven’t yet seen any new initiative for Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

In Mr Rudd’s 100-day report card, he has also failed to mention the programs he has cut which directly benefit rural and regional Australians such as Investing In Our Schools, Growing Regions and AAA FarmBis.

Residents of regional NSW should hold their judgements on this new Government. After all, actions speak louder than a self-written report card, especially when given by the “student” before the term has begun!

Mr Rudd should perhaps be reminded that self-praise is no praise at all.

Sandy Macdonald

TAMWORTH