Election 2010 August 21

[Moody]

It is pretty clear that State government education departments mismanaged the BER, based on all the reports of value for money that independent schools achieved.

As for voting greens. Just remember that whoever you put at number 2 is likely to get your vote. An informal vote is the only way to prevent either the alp or liberals ending up with your vote.

I find it a pity that all the focus is on the faults of the BER, rather than its benefits, but that's politics/media for you.

But I am appalled that you are advocating an informal vote. Regardless of the dearth of choice at this election it is no excuse for abrogating our duty to make the best choice of the options we have. In my electorate (Grayndler) there is a slim chance that the Greens might pick up the seat, but if they don't then I would rather have one of the major parties picking it up than some monster raving loony party (of which there are a few). So the preferential voting system is a great way of saying "I'd rather have Alice in Wonderland being my rep, but if it has to be one of Tweedledum or Tweedledee then I'll go for Anthony Albanese(*).


(*) No offense Tony.

 

[drron]

I find it a pity that all the focus is on the faults of the BER, rather than its benefits, but that's politics/media for you.

But I am appalled that you are advocating an informal vote. Regardless of the dearth of choice at this election it is no excuse for abrogating our duty to make the best choice of the options we have. In my electorate (Grayndler) there is a slim chance that the Greens might pick up the seat, but if they don't then I would rather have one of the major parties picking it up than some monster raving loony party (of which there are a few). So the preferential voting system is a great way of saying "I'd rather have Alice in Wonderland being my rep, but if it has to be one of Tweedledum or Tweedledee then I'll go for Anthony Albanese(*).
(*) No offense Tony.

I'm sorry but there are times when an informal vote is an informed option-though if you collect a ballot paper write your reasons on it.At least some party hack scutineering will get the message.
In my electorate the choice is a sleaze,a dodgy character and an idiot-yes I know them all.To vote for any of them simply on the basis of least bad I dont regard as being necessary.But hey I am off overseas and probably dont have to vote.The AEC did promise the prepoll voting details would be on the website this morning-not yet though.
Any way this election really does remind me of an old saying-"An election is just the pre-auction of stolen goods."

 

[medhead]

But I am appalled that you are advocating an informal vote. Regardless of the dearth of choice at this election it is no excuse for abrogating our duty to make the best choice of the options we have. In my electorate (Grayndler) there is a slim chance that the Greens might pick up the seat, but if they don't then I would rather have one of the major parties picking it up than some monster raving loony party (of which there are a few). So the preferential voting system is a great way of saying "I'd rather have Alice in Wonderland being my rep, but if it has to be one of Tweedledum or Tweedledee then I'll go for Anthony Albanese(*).


(*) No offense Tony.

I didn't advocate an informal vote. Just mentioned the fact that regardless of who you pick first, in 98% of cases your vote will end up with one of the 2 major parties. The only way to avoid that situation is with an informal vote. As for the supposed risk of a loony party getting up because of informal votes, I'm sorry but one or both of the major parties will still get more of the primary vote, percentage wise regardless of the level of informal votes. Remember the informal vote doesn't count for any party. Hence the votes for the loony party will end up going to one of the major parties.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'm not sure about Abbott was cautious about workchoices. The political commentators I've seen have uniformly said Abbott backed workchoices 100% in his last book. I haven't actually read his book but I'm prepared to accepted these reports from a couple of sources.

The title of the chapter in Battlelines was actually "Work Choices wasn't all bad"

While I haven't read it either (though I will if he updates it with election campaign chapter(s)) I think the title of the chapter indicates that there were some things that he was not convinced of.

There is a little bit of analysis here about it: VEXNEWS 2010© | REVEALED: Abbott opposed WorkChoices in the Howard Cabinet

 

[Keith009]

There is a little bit of analysis here about it: VEXNEWS 2010© | REVEALED: Abbott opposed WorkChoices in the Howard Cabinet

Great to see a fellow Vexnews reader on here, good on ya patriot.

 

[drron]

Hey Keith what do you think of the new Julia?First day and she is wearing pearls,signing an aussie flag and saying amen to a prayer.OMG the real Julia is a Liberal!:shock:

 

[medhead]

The title of the chapter in Battlelines was actually "Work Choices wasn't all bad"

While I haven't read it either (though I will if he updates it with election campaign chapter(s)) I think the title of the chapter indicates that there were some things that he was not convinced of.

There is a little bit of analysis here about it: VEXNEWS 2010© | REVEALED: Abbott opposed WorkChoices in the Howard Cabinet

Thanks for the link

I gotta say that "workchoices wasn't all bad" sounds rather defensive. Also not likely that workchoices is dead, buried and cremated either. Sounds like at least some bits might rise from the dead. Anyway, without going into major details, the problem with workchoices for me was that, for all the other good points involved, it failed to protect good employees from bad employers. Sure the government correctly said that a good employer looks after employees, but they never seemed to consider the bad employer.

 

[taswegian77]

Just found out the MEL airport early polling booth is not open on Thursday. This means I need to pre-vote at an office before Thursday, bugger...

 

[drron]

Thanks for the link

I gotta say that "workchoices wasn't all bad" sounds rather defensive. Also not likely that workchoices is dead, buried and cremated either. Sounds like at least some bits might rise from the dead. Anyway, without going into major details, the problem with workchoices for me was that, for all the other good points involved, it failed to protect good employees from bad employers. Sure the government correctly said that a good employer looks after employees, but they never seemed to consider the bad employer.

But what it replaced didn't protect a good employer from a bad employee.From bitter experience.

 

[medhead]

But what it replaced didn't protect a good employer from a bad employee.From bitter experience.

Indeed the problem is getting the balance. It is those bad employees and employers that stuff it for everyone.

Having experience bullying and harassment by a dodgy supervisor who was backed by the employer, I found workchoices to be scarey. Before workchoices, the employer always had due process to fall back on. Yes, a long, complex, time consuming process. But if done properly, it should protect. In my case, luckily the supervisor was so useless he couldn't even get the paperwork right. Workchoices would have seen me out the door, with no job and a 6 month old baby and wife to feed.

The funny thing was when I went back 3 years later in a position of power over the employer and picked the former supervisor's incompetence to pieces, I got a "private friendly" chat about how they knew he was hopeless. Shame they didn't think about that before forcing me out and putting me through hell. (in hindsight) (umm bitter experience all around)

But still I agree the system is not as good as it could be.

 

[nlagalle]

I have to say i was over the campaign before it started..

I was glad that in the week in Delhi I didn't have to put up with listening to hollow promises etc..

Even the TV ads are shockers! I was ready to put my fist through the TV after 1 night of seeing Julia drawl on about "moving forward"..

I just kept thinking that line from the Simpsons where the aliens Kang and Kodos impersonated Bob Dole and Clinton:

My fellow Americans, as a young boy I dreamed of being a baseball. But tonight I say we must go forward, not backward. Upward, not forward. And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!!!

I smirk when I think of Julia doing the same thing!

 

[drron]

I have to say i was over the campaign before it started..

I was glad that in the week in Delhi I didn't have to put up with listening to hollow promises etc..

Even the TV ads are shockers! I was ready to put my fist through the TV after 1 night of seeing Julia drawl on about "moving forward"..

I just kept thinking that line from the Simpsons where the aliens Kang and Kodos impersonated Bob Dole and Clinton:



I smirk when I think of Julia doing the same thing!

And so Julia's campaign slogan is staight from the Simpsons-priceless!

 

[Keith009]

Hey Keith what do you think of the new Julia?First day and she is wearing pearls,signing an aussie flag and saying amen to a prayer.OMG the real Julia is a Liberal!:shock:

Real Julia and Real Tony have been stifled by their political minders. They were much more engaging before the campaign begun. Some of my fave Question Time moments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDfD4ybn9GA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFXE1wIS4yI

In other news, polls are pointing to a very possible loss of the seat of Melbourne to the Greens... I'm tempted to leave the campaign I've signed up for (in a somewhat safe seat) to battle 'em drug peddlers.

 

[Keith009]

Based on the latest polls, I reckon there are 3 scenarios:
1) Labor government with 1-2 seat majority
2) Minority Labor government with the Greens holding the balance of power
3) PM Abbott

I can't decide if 2-3 are worse - and I can't even escape to NZ if scenario 3 happens. :shock: (though I have to say John Key seems semi-progressive)

 

[oz_mark]

Based on the latest polls, I reckon there are 3 scenarios:
1) Labor government with 1-2 seat majority
2) Minority Labor government with the Greens holding the balance of power
3) PM Abbott

I can't decide if 2-3 are worse - and I can't even escape to NZ if scenario 3 happens. :shock: (though I have to say John Key seems semi-progressive)

If Abbott wins, they will just have to bring Costello back

 

[straitman]

This morning Joe Hockey challenged Wayne Swan to a live debate on Sunrise next week and Wayne Swan jumped at the challenge.
No details yet but I certainly believe it will have a lot more life than lasts weeks introduction to Master Chef.

 

[Keith009]

Hung Parliament In Federal Election | Federal Election 2010

Scary vision of the future....:shock:

 

[serfty]

... Scary vision of the future....:shock:

Not at all - anything that generally prevents legislation being enacted is a good thing in my book.

 

[coco50]

If Abbott wins, they will just have to bring Costello back

If Abbott wins I will look for a better place than Australia under Ayatollah Abbott to live like North Korea

 

[Keith009]

Not at all - anything that generally prevents legislation being enacted is a good thing in my book.

That's what we have the Senate for. :shock: (generally)