Lacey, as has been said, politics will ALWAYS draw very lively discussions. (On some forums, in fact, politics are forbidden to be discussed, BECAUSE people have strong political views - usually opposing each other. I find that a sad solution; we must be able, I believe, to find ourselves able to disagree with each other, even very strongly, while still acknowledging the right of everyone to have different opinions, and without the disagreements of views becoming personally nasty towards any member here.)
Well, the administrative view here is to avoid gagging honest opinion re political figures (within the rules here, of course). Tony Abbott's been called a clown, a snake, etc., and Ms Gillard's been called a backstabber and a snake, etc. Both are, in my view, fair comments. (Not necessarily accurate, but fair in the context of the discussions here.)
As Poddy has said, everyone's opinions here is valued, even though there may be disagreement!