Gillard's great surge into the 'burbs LABOR'S generals are calling Julia Gillard's upcoming show of strength the "Sydney surge." But there's nothing panicky, desperate, sinister or even extraordinary about the five-day blitz, mind you. The Prime Minister's communications guru, John McTernan, has been out on the prowl in Labor's western Sydney dreaming: to sample the sights, press the flesh and read the (sullen) mood of the electorate.