He is the lesser of two evils - but that is not good enough.

The victory of the Autralian Labor Party in last months federal election has already created some improvements in Australia's democratic health and our standing amongst other nation's opinions of us in the world.

First of all, the Kyoto Protocol was signed and ratified by our government, led by Kevin Rudd, on his first day in office. This is something that would never have been accomplished by Howard's administration. The US is still yet to sign the deal that looks to cut carbon emissions in order to alleviate global warming and other environmental changes.

The second move was a policy put forward by Kevin Rudd that will disallow federal ministers to engage in corporate trading or shares and other commodities. All shares currently owned by ministers will have to be sold. This is a great step in maintaining Australia's democratic constitution as it prevents ministers from making decisions that would benefit themselves rather than the electorate and, to in effect, the wider Australian population.

The third sign of improvement in Australia is the Prime Minister's promise to apologise to the Aboriginal people for the atrocities of the stolen generation. This is something that previous Labor governments and even Coalition leaders have apologised for in the past, yet Howard refused to do so. Howard's reasoning for not saying 'sorry' was that it would give Aboriginal people an excuse for the poor living conditions, criminal activities and non-existant work ethic that a percentage of their population are criticised for, and essentially, their entire race is stereotyped.

However, Howard failed to realise that as an individual with no responsibility, he would have had no obligation at all to say sorry. As PM, however, he is very much obliged to apologise on behalf of his administration and former Australian governments, including those directly responsible for the the white crimes of the past.

These are the three decrees that have comd down from Kevin Rudd and his cabinet so far. However, it is not all sweet smelling roses.

Rudd is a very passionate and dedicated Christian. Now although I believe that it is each individuals choice to believe what they like and to worship in any way and deity, it is not appropriate for that individual to impose their beliefs and values upon the wider masses (no pun intended).

Kevin Rudd has already outwardly stated that he is not in favour of same sex marriage. This is a major disappointment to us lefties who believe that any loving relationship should be allowed to enter that institution. I personally also believe that gay couples should be given every right to adopt a child if they are capable of raising them and looking after them, just the same as any other heterosexual couple.

This is going to be a large preventative to any legislation being passed in the future that would alter current laws in some states and territories. It is disappointing and very concerning to those in favour of a change to the current legislation and the building of a strictly secular government.

A nation can only truly be democratic and call itself 'free' if it has a secular government in office. That is to say, no legislation put forward, or bills passed, that are created directly from the values and beliefs of a religious order. I have always been an advocate of the separation of church and state, and Kevin Rudd's views, although he is allowed to have them, are no doubt going to get in the way of politics and the running of this country.

Howard was very similar, making it known that his Christian faith was driving his and his party's policies and opinions. Rudd, in this respect, will be no different.

Right now I just have to take solace on the fact that at least an ALP government will be a little more progressive than the conservative regime of terror we have been through for the past 11 and a half years.