Australian Politics II

[Yasuki Kanosei]

This is more for the Aussies here on the boards, but after the Federal Election (arguably the worst/most boring one ever), we now have a hung parliament. For those that don't know, a hung parliament is one where no party has managed to secure the required majority of 76 or more seats in parliament. As of now, the Labor Party has 70 seats, the Liberal/Nationals Coalition has 72, with 5 Independents/Minor parties as well. Three seats are still in contention, too close to call.

In the Senate, the Liberals lost one of their members in Queensland, with the Greens (heavily pro-environment and arguably the most left-wing mainstream party in the country) taking it. Senator Fielding of Family First has also lost his Senate seat (with much dancing and rejoicing from yours truly), meaning that the Greens now hold the balance of power in the Senate. Truly, we do live in some interesting times.

For the record, I'm a Labor voter (lefty, I am), so it kind of horrifies me that the Mad Monk (Tony Abbott) nearly secured victory. This was Labor's election to lose, and they fluffed it badly.

[Bayushi Keiga]

This week could either revolutionise Aussie politics (unlikely) or result in Abbot in power (Scary.) I will admit I cheered when the greens took Fielding's senate place - Good riddance you disgraceful idiot.

'Interesting times' indeed.

[Bayushi Keiga]

The Age has this article:

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/labor-leads-race-for-minority-government-20100822-13akb.html

If it's looking positive, then things might be ok.

I am absolutely behind a Labor-based minority government and a Green senate. It would mark the beginning of 3 years where Australia could move away from monolithic 2-party style politics.

[Yasuki Kanosei]

Good riddance you disgraceful idiot.

Please, that's practically saying you love him . I've got a mate who has gone on at length about the man repeatedly, and from what I understand, he was being restrained.

The Age has this article:

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-election/labor-leads-race-for-minority-government-20100822-13akb.html

If it's looking positive, then things might be ok.

I am absolutely behind a Labor-based minority government and a Green senate. It would mark the beginning of 3 years where Australia could move away from monolithic 2-party style politics.

Same here. If the Greens can help reign in Labor's shift to the right, and reaffirm its core voting base (which lost it Melbourne!), I'd be rather happy. It's kinda sad when one of the old leaders of the Left has to resort to Howardisms to get votes.

[Yasuki Yamakori]

Internets win election for Labour... Only weeks after the election.

Basically, the Labour party wants to improve the broadband infrastructure for the entire country, including remote regions.

This policy effectively broke the dead lock for one of the 3 independents that hadn't taken a side.

Hooray for internets!

[Yasuki Kanosei]

Thank God for that. It would be nice if Australia got a decent internet capability, instead of the one that developing countries laugh at.

[Bayushi Keiga]

Well well well!

Interesting times indeed, and with the internet plan being a deciding factor, hopefully we can guarantee that we never hear of Senator Conroy's misguided nanny-state filter again.

I was in a public place that had Triple-M playing when the independents were doing their speech, and I was completely floored when they cut the feed half way through, and the announcers pretty much said "Well, that's insanely boring, here's some music".

I mean, it was only the most important political speech we've had since the apology. Are they really that sure that their demographic is so ignorant and uninterested in who's running the country?

[Yasuki Yamakori]

Well, it was Triple M.

[Yasuki Kanosei]

I wouldn't be too surprised if it was, to be honest. There's a lot of people who don't care for politics, especially those on Triple M's demographic. Most people were just in waiting mode, wanting to know who was in government. Once the answer was given, I imagine a lot of people just turned off after that.

[Bayushi Keiga]

That's my point though - It was cut off before the result was given. Well before.

Oakeshott's speech went for 25 or 30 minutes, and he announced his vote somewhere in the last 2 minutes of that. Triple M cut him off somewhere around the ten minute mark.

But yes, you're right. I shouldn't be surprised by that...