Quote Originally Posted by CountArach View Post

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.