Keneally, O'Farrell prepare for debate

On the eve of Friday night's debate, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and Opposition
leader Barry O'Farrell had one thing in common - an unblinking focus on the future.
Although Premier Keneally believes she has been cast as the underdog exactly a year
out from the state election, she's convinced Labor will mount a good campaign.
"This is about our future, this is about imagining our future and working together,"
she said on Thursday.
"Judging us on the practical and positive changes we have made ... its's about
judging us on the present. Imagining our future and working together."
Mr O'Farrell promised to Make NSW Number One Again, after years as the laggard of
the Australian economy.
"We know it won't be easy. We know the task is difficult. But we're committed to
providing the public with the real alternative at the next election," Mr O'Farrell
said of the Liberals new Make NSW Number One Again campaign.
It seems the big debate holds no fears for Mrs Keneally, who describes Mr O'Farrell,
as "affable".
"Barry is a very affable fellow. I've had dinner with Barry, he's a great dinner
companion he tells a great story over a meal and in that sense I think he's quite
affable," Ms Keneally told Nine News on Thursday.
Mr O'Farrell is just thankful the debate against Ms Keneally is in English and not
Italian.
Mr O'Farrell addressed an Italian seniors group in Sydney on Thursday, greeting
members in bad Italian.
"We're here to acknowledge the role of seniors in our society," he told Co.As.It
members at Burwood RSL Club.
"No community brings that home more than the Italian community."
"La vostra storia e la vostra storia (sic) - your story is our story."
Mr O'Farrell admitted his linguistic stumble to reporters after the event.
"I messed up `la vostra storia e la nostra storia,' but I corrected myself," he said.
"I knew as soon as I said it.
"I'll get it right by election day."
Mr O'Farrell said he was ready for Friday's debate, and challenged Premier Keneally
to further tussles.
"More debates would be even better," he said.
"I'm happy to debate Ms Keneally anywhere, any time and on any subject."
He said he would use the debate as a platform to talk about greater accountability
in government.
The government should stop "parachuting" ministerial staffers into jobs that should
be occupied by professional public servants, Mr O'Farrell said.
"In many instances they aren't up to the job," he said.
"They get in the way of promotions for professional public servants ... and they
inject politics into bureaucracy.
"What we need from the public sector is to be independent and give frank and
fearless advice."
Mr O'Farrell refused to name names on which political appointments he would be axed,
but said some people currently in the system would not want to work under a Liberal
and National government.
Mr O'Farrell also announced a new policy to require standard contracts for elderly
people buying into retirement villages.
"There are standard house contracts when people buy homes, we want to have a
standard contract for people making that next step in their lives," he said.
He said families and elderly people had difficulties with the present confusing
arrangements.