Australian Federal Election 2010

[naut]

Oh god, was that seriously on the tele? What are our pollies taking?

Yep. Who knows. Both major parties are horrible on almost every issue: climate change, asylum seekers, gay marriage, public transport, sustainable urban development, healthcare, etc.

Hopefully the Greens do well, but it is difficult to judge until we are closer to the actual election.

The Pitch this week on Gruen Nation was particularly good:

[aimlesswanderer]

At least that is funny, though I could really do without seeing Big Joe dancing in a sumo outfit! Most of the election ads have been seriously boring. Not to mention far too repetitive.

[Skullheadhq]

What's the chance the Greens are going to win?

[miotas]

0%

They could however get good numbers in the senate and be able to influence policy.

[Skullheadhq]

0%.

Why do Australians hate freedom?

[miotas]

They are still a relatively minor party. They are becoming much more popular with each election though.

[naut]

Why do Australians hate freedom?

Because there is a massive racist undercurrent here. And it often isn't very subtle either. Aussies tend to have a fear that Asia is going to consume it. Thus right-leaning parties are favoured. Which would be fine, if the heads of those parties weren't crazy religious nutjobs.

The other major issue is highlighted by this wonderful bit in Yes We Canberra (from 2 minutes, 12 seconds onwards):



Basically the entire opposition party, including their Treasurer, has got no grasp of economic policy and how to run a stable economy. Unlike the Labor party, which successfully guided the country through the GFC.

[aimlesswanderer]

Yes, the not so subtle racist undercurrent is, sadly, fuelled and encouraged by many politicians and media. Instead of confronting it head on, the govt decided to mimic the coalition.

The Coalition is full of the living dead (Phillip Ruddock, Bronwyn Bishop, et al), religious quacks (chiefly Abbott) and people who think global warming is a "vast left wing conspiracy to de-industrialise the West" (Cory Bernady, Tony Abbott and most of the rest - yes, one actually said that).

The "faceless labor machine men" are hardly ideal, but are, to me, definitely preferable to the bizarre collection of weirdos that is the federal coalition.

I hope that the Greens can win at least one lower house seat, as I think (or hope) that would make Labor less prone to go right wing. And I'd be very happy if Family First didn't win a seat. Actually I hope the Sex Party get more votes than FF!

I must say, the economic scare campaign about government debt is just surreal, given how we are doing both relatively and absolutely well. It sounds like the coalition wants to have a budget surplus and just hoard it forever.

[CountArach]

Oh god, was that seriously on the tele? What are our pollies taking?

No, it was one of the many online ads that each party has been producing in an effort to make things 'go viral' (I hate that phrase...).

EDIT: And I'm still waiting for Tony to say something absolutely moronic that will cost him the election. It is just a matter of time.

I hope that the Greens can win at least one lower house seat, as I think (or hope) that would make Labor less prone to go right wing. And I'd be very happy if Family First didn't win a seat. Actually I hope the Sex Party get more votes than FF!

They are the favourite to win in Melbourne according to betting markets now that Faulkner is retiring (which I'm glad about because I'd hate for the Greens to win a seat solely at the expense o one of my favourite parliamentarians), but I personally don't think it will happen. That wouldn't have any bearing on Labor policy, however, as Labor are still likely to have a thin majority. It is in the Upper House where things really mattter - the Greens are almost certainly going to be holding the balance of power after this election.

[aimlesswanderer]

EDIT: And I'm still waiting for Tony to say something absolutely moronic that will cost him the election. It is just a matter of time.

They are the favourite to win in Melbourne according to betting markets now that Faulkner is retiring (which I'm glad about because I'd hate for the Greens to win a seat solely at the expense o one of my favourite parliamentarians), but I personally don't think it will happen. That wouldn't have any bearing on Labor policy, however, as Labor are still likely to have a thin majority. It is in the Upper House where things really mattter - the Greens are almost certainly going to be holding the balance of power after this election.

Tony must be just bursting to unleash his "real" self - which would include a classic "foot in mouth" moment or 2. Likely to be about women.

I know the Greens won't really affect the lower house this time, but by winning their first lower house seat at a general election (they won one briefly after a by-election) they will be sending a big signal to Labor, especially. Labor would likely (hopefully) be more careful about going right after the liberals.

Yeah, the senate will be interesting. I hope the Greens can restrain some of their more idealistic elements. I'd hate for their campaign to be derailed by an unfortunate comment. They should know the conservatives (and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp) are just waiting for that, and would be all over them in that case.

[Beskar]

No, it was one of the many online ads that each party has been producing in an effort to make things 'go viral' (I hate that phrase...).

It makes it like they are an STD.

[naut]

EDIT: And I'm still waiting for Tony to say something absolutely moronic that will cost him the election. It is just a matter of time.

He's almost there. By the end of the week he'll really screw up.

Yeah, the senate will be interesting. I hope the Greens can restrain some of their more idealistic elements. I'd hate for their campaign to be derailed by an unfortunate comment. They should know the conservatives (and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp) are just waiting for that, and would be all over them in that case.

I think they know that, and they'll probably sit tight and say nothing.

[pevergreen]

Yes, the not so subtle racist undercurrent is, sadly, fuelled and encouraged by many politicians and media. Instead of confronting it head on, the govt decided to mimic the coalition.

Its actually quite disgusting how bad it is.

Ah well, this may actually be the first year I watch some sort of couting the votes show.

I support any third party holding the balance of power in the upper house, regardless of who they are (excluding FF)

I love how the media up is has basically said that labor has lost purely due to queenslanders being angry at Kev being knifed in the back.

[aimlesswanderer]

He's almost there. By the end of the week he'll really screw up.

I think they know that, and they'll probably sit tight and say nothing.

The coalition plan for el cheapo broadband is rather, well, primitive. And all to save a few $ now, never mind the future.

One problem with some of the young, hyper idealistic Greens, is that they haven't quite figured out how to operate and get things done in the real world. Bob Brown is an example that the idealists should consider emulating.

Its actually quite disgusting how bad it is.

Ah well, this may actually be the first year I watch some sort of couting the votes show.

I love how the media up is has basically said that labor has lost purely due to queenslanders being angry at Kev being knifed in the back.

Yes, it has gotten really bad, to the extent where people who were already prejudiced are starting to think that they are totally normal and mainstream - hard not to with all the politicians (coalition especially) fear mongering, and sections of the media pouring oil into the flames. In a way it reminds me of the One Notion episode, where Hanson was spouting prejudice, the media was giving her lots of airtime, and the PM said nothing. At least Costello had the guts to come out and say she was a quack.

I normally have it on in the background while gaming. Last time I was soooo happy when Howard got unceremoniously dumped last time.

I'm not sure about this "she knifed Kev" protest vote. The coalition and the media mention it every second sentence in QLD related coverage, and I don't doubt that it has had some effect, but is it really massive? Labor did very well last time in QLD, and now the situation has reversed, but there are other factors in play.

[CountArach]

One problem with some of the young, hyper idealistic Greens, is that they haven't quite figured out how to operate and get things done in the real world. Bob Brown is an example that the idealists should consider emulating.

Just for the record, the average age of Greens members is over 50. They just draw a lot of support from young University students.

I'm not sure about this "she knifed Kev" protest vote. The coalition and the media mention it every second sentence in QLD related coverage, and I don't doubt that it has had some effect, but is it really massive? Labor did very well last time in QLD, and now the situation has reversed, but there are other factors in play.

I see it only affecting a very very small portion of people, many of whom were probably unlikely to go for Labor anyway. Labor has never performed well in Queensland, as with Western Australia and there are broader societal issues for that.

[tibilicus]

I like the look of the Ozzy election cycle, it's so much fun. Politicians running around in speedos, election ads which would never get passed the censors here and all in all a more upbeat environment. Over here it's all doom and gloom, with each politician telling us how the other politician will destroy the country in a sombre and serious tone.

I guess I just think ignorance is bliss though when it comes to political realities.

[pevergreen]

I see it only affecting a very very small portion of people, many of whom were probably unlikely to go for Labor anyway. Labor has never performed well in Queensland, as with Western Australia and there are broader societal issues for that.

?

Labor has been in power in Queensland (state) since 1989... Including the biggest win ever by any Labor government in qld, and one of the best in Australia

Party Vote % (change) Seats (change)
Labor 48.93 ↑10.07 66 ↑22
Liberals 14.32 ↓1.77 3 ↓6
Nationals 14.16 ↓1.02 12 ↓11
One Nation 8.69 ↓13.98 3 ↓8

Yes, One nation has 11 seats in the 1998 election. Biggest third party hold ever.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This election was the first in which One Nation Party supporters were elected into state Parliament, with the controversial party winning 11 seats. With nearly 23% of the vote, One Nation gained a higher percentage of the vote than any other third party (non-Labor or Coalition) in any State or Territory since Federation. This was also the only election where a third party has gained more votes than both the Liberal and National parties (considered separately).

I can't find the federal results easily enough, but QLD has been labor heavy for quite a while now.

[miotas]

I like the look of the Ozzy election cycle, it's so much fun. Politicians running around in speedos, election ads which would never get passed the censors here and all in all a more upbeat environment. Over here it's all doom and gloom, with each politician telling us how the other politician will destroy the country in a sombre and serious tone.

I guess I just think ignorance is bliss though when it comes to political realities.

Nah we get those doom and gloom ads too.
A spoof ad on how to make a liberal ad


and an actual liberal ad


and a labor scare ad

[aimlesswanderer]

Just for the record, the average age of Greens members is over 50. They just draw a lot of support from young University students.

I have heard that there is a real age gap thing happening. The uni students are far more likely to be the naive hyper idealistic types, and are thus much more likely to say something unfortunate.

And seriously tibilicus, you call our election fun??? The only "fun" has been the occasional foot-in-mouth moment, Gruen Nation dissecting the advertising, and the Chaser harassing politicians. Most of the ads are way boring and, by this stage, have been seen/heard far far too many times. Most of us can't wait till it's over!

I shudder to think how boring UK elections must be. Your last one was gloomy because the government had massive debts already and the economy was down the crapper. Hard to be upbeat about that...

Oh, and I think Get Up do the best ads by far.

[Furunculus]

it was an awesome election in the UK, most fun i'd had with politics in a long time.

[naut]

So I received a "How to Vote Liberal" brochure in the mail today. I set it on fire. It didn't burn well. Disappointing.

ASP ad:

[Beskar]

They should go in coalition with the greens, if they get anywhere.

Main issues are - Environment and Sex, perhaps even Sex in the Environment.

[aimlesswanderer]

Well, it's nearly over. Fellow Aussies, don't forget to vote tomorrow!

[Furunculus]

exit polls suggesting narrow win for labour with 52% of the vote...................

[pevergreen]

Greens may win a few lower house seats.

I went through the senate form, filled it out 1-60.

I had to make sure that One Nation and Family First were the absolute lowest.

[Raz]

Gah, why settle for a mere Prime Minister when you can have a Führer:

Vote Family First!

[pevergreen]

Vote Family First!

Vomit.

Anyone but abbott as pm. QLDers are voting for libs because of kev's backstab, no other reason.

[aimlesswanderer]

Looks like a hung parliament as neither major party gots enough to govern in their own right. The postal votes and recounts will be interesting, and who knows about the senate, that is a very mysterious beast indeed. Though I think the Greens picked up lots of seats.

At least if the coalition form government, the Mad Monk will hopefully be less able to do strange things.

But the Greens won their first lower house seat at a general election.

[tibilicus]

Question: Both times I've seen Julia Gillard on the news, she's used really bad anecdotes from American presidents. The first was a completely shameless rip off of the whole "yes we can" speech and today it was a Bill Clinton quote which didn't seem to have much relevance. This all makes her seem a bit "lightweight". Is this the case?

[drone]

Question: Both times I've seen Julia Gillard on the news, she's used really bad anecdotes from American presidents. The first was a completely shameless rip off of the whole "yes we can" speech and today it was a Bill Clinton quote which didn't seem to have much relevance.

Was it "I did not have sex with that woman"?