Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[Skyring]

Great numbers here Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

Well, I don't think anyone was surprised. They aren't likely to get any better - these things feed on themselves and we're going to see the next few months given over to two things.

1. In the near term, it's going to be the budget shenanigans. It's not the promised surplus and any moves to make the budget attractive to the voters is going to look shonky. There may be talk of black holes.

2. With Rudd out of the picture - in theory at least - there's going to be endless speculation about replacing Gillard.

Neither of those two factors are likely to improve her polling. In the end, the voters will punish her for staying on well past her time.

 

[Mal]

I can't see how gillard has any confidence in her reign. There must be plotters seeing this result and formulating a plan.

Unless of course the plan is to see how the electorate responds to the carbon tax cash handout for welfare recipients. More government waste...

 

[Skyring]

...Unless of course the plan is to see how the electorate responds to the carbon tax cash handout for welfare recipients. More government waste...

Crank up the advertising. If the voters don't like listening to the direct approach, see how they like the same message filtered through professional shills.

The last resort of the desperate. Wasting more of our money.

 

[Pushka]

There will always be a percentage of people who are barnacles.

 

[Moody]

There will always be a percentage of people who are barnacles.

And don't forget those that don't listen to Alan Jones, or believe everything they read from the Murdoch Press. They may not vote Labour this time but it doesn't mean the Coalition will necessarily get their vote. Some people do have standards ....

 

[Skyring]

Some people do have standards ....

Currently running at 70%...

 

[Pushka]

And don't forget those that don't listen to Alan Jones, or believe everything they read from the Murdoch Press. They may not vote Labour this time but it doesn't mean the Coalition will necessarily get their vote. Some people do have standards ....

Yes, some of us do, some of us don't. Apparently you think that people who vote Coalition don't have standards. Nice.

I have never listened to Alan Jones, his radio station isn't accessible here. Murdoch press? Well, the only paper I read is The Australian. Next?

 

[Hvr]

Yes, some of us do, some of us don't. Apparently you think that people who vote Coalition don't have standards. Nice.

I have never listened to Alan Jones, his radio station isn't accessible here. Murdoch press? Well, the only paper I read is The Australian. Next?

You can always listen to Alan on line, The Alan Jones Breakfast Show | 2GB

You're correct about stereotyping and there has been a bit of it in this thread. I reckon if you looked hard enough and were honest enough that both main parties have policies to offer all Australians as well as policies that even their own supporters don't like. It is about weighing up what party has the majority of policies that you prefer, how many of them are lies to get elected and how many have a realistic chance of being introduced. Oh and both parties lie, I mean Howard had core and non-core promises and wasn't really called on it. Abbott has previously said words along the lines of 'don't believe anything I say until it is introduced'.

The joy of democracy which we enjoy here in Australia is that when the voters have their say then the losing party will leave office with no problems just as they have for the past 113 years and hopefully forever in the future. Barring a major unforeseen set of circumstances, in six months time the Liberal party will assume office and life will go on.

Lots of us here have travelled to countries where this doesn't happen or has only recently commenced. Surely we should be more thankful that have this privilege to complain about politicians and vote them out?

 

[Pushka]

You can always listen to Alan on line, The Alan Jones Breakfast Show | 2GB

True, but I was more pointing out that people form their opinion based on their own individual analysis, experience and knowledge, and are not the stupid brigade as inferred by Moody who seems to think that the only people who can form an intelligent opinion are Labor voters.

You know, I think what has happened over the last few months is an example that currently we do not have a democracy in Australia at the moment. This is not Government for the people, but for a few self-serving politicians on whom democracy will wreak havoc when it is allowed to emerge.

There is no joy anywhere in the Australian Government at the moment.

 

[browski]

True, but I was more pointing out that people form their opinion based on their own individual analysis, experience and knowledge, and are not the stupid brigade as inferred by Moody who seems to think that the only people who can form an intelligent opinion are Labor voters.

You know, I think what has happened over the last few months is an example that currently we do not have a democracy in Australia at the moment. This is not Government for the people, but for a few self-serving politicians on whom democracy will wreak havoc when it is allowed to emerge.

There is no joy anywhere in the Australian Government at the moment.

The majority of working class Australia have no time for analysis.
We do have a democracy in Australia. That it is why it is called a democracy.
Democracy is not "allowed to emerge"; we call it 3 year election term

You're argument that non-Labor folk can be intelligent is done a disservice by your posts.

 

[Pushka]

You're argument that non-Labor folk can be intelligent is done a disservice by your posts.

A true literary masterpiece and a nice touch making it personal as well.

 

[BrentH]

They may not vote Labour this time but it doesn't mean the Coalition will necessarily get their vote.

You're right - if you mean the people who live in the Federal Electoral Divisions of Denison, Melbourne, or if you're referring to the Senate (voting for the Greens, possibly Xenaphon in SA, possibly KAP in QLD, or possibly the DLP in Victoria...)

Otherwise, their vote will almost certainly go to either the Coalition or Labor on preferences.

 

[Pushka]

The Labor Party doesn't have a 'u' either.

 

[SFSC]

The Labor Party doesn't have a 'u' either.

Looks like they don't have you (as a voter that is)

Seriously though. Sometimes auto-correct can do some funny things.

 

[Pushka]

Looks like they don't have you (as a voter that is)

Seriously though. Sometimes auto-correct can do some funny things.

They have in the past. But can't see that reverting for a while. As a female I was quite excited to see Julia Gillard appointed as PM even if I didn't like the method. But the reality has been so different from what I was hoping for.

I've even voted Greens!

 

[cove]

Pushka please read the Greens policies. If you have been thinking Labor hates business people then try to figure where the Greens stand. If you want unemployment or underemployment they could lead the way.

 

[11sjw]

Pushka please read the Greens policies. If you have been thinking Labor hates business people then try to figure where the Greens stand. If you want unemployment or underemployment they could lead the way.

Economic terrorism would be the best way to describe what they'd like to see unleashed on the Australian Business community.

 

[Moody]

You're right - if you mean the people who live in the Federal Electoral Divisions of Denison, Melbourne, or if you're referring to the Senate (voting for the Greens, possibly Xenaphon in SA, possibly KAP in QLD, or possibly the DLP in Victoria...)

Otherwise, their vote will almost certainly go to either the Coalition or Labor on preferences.

Not sure if you're right there. Once you have done your bit by entering the polling booth, there are many choices you can make. I am one of those tragics that number every square on the senate paper, partly so that I can put Fred Nile dead motherless last but mostly because I won't let anyone dictate where my preferences go.


But of course the main game is the House of Reps. Now I do usually number every box here as well, but there is nothing stopping me from putting a "1" in the box of a fringe party candidate and then nowhere else. Or if I'm really in a foul mood I could simply write a message of complaint to both major parties and drop it in the ballot box, Either way my vote will not count towards the 2-party preferred allocations.

And I shouldn't generalise about Alan Jones so much, seeing as I only hear of the most extreme stuff courtesy of Media Watch, but ..... my MIL listens to him religiously and then spouts worrying lies about asylum seekers and refugees. Doesn't fill me with confidence that all Australians are getting a balanced view. Reading the Australian could only be an improvement, but anyone who thinks they don't have a conservative bias is quite delusional.

I was actually shocked the first time I saw Janet Albrectsen on Q&A. Having extreme right-wing commentators is one thing (the SMH had Miranda Devine for a while!), but dressing it up as editorial commentary is a bit rich. Here is a sample of her work :-

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

Balanced? - you be the judge, but if all you read is The Australian then perhaps you should disqualify yourself.

 

[BrentH]

But of course the main game is the House of Reps. Now I do usually number every box here as well, but there is nothing stopping me from putting a "1" in the box of a fringe party candidate and then nowhere else. Or if I'm really in a foul mood I could simply write a message of complaint to both major parties and drop it in the ballot box, Either way my vote will not count towards the 2-party preferred allocations.

I'm assuming you're in NSW or QLD...?

You can number *some* boxes for certain State elections, but for Federal lower-house seats if your numbering is incomplete it's informal: Voting – House of Representatives - Australian Electoral Commission

There is no Federal Optional Preferential Voting yet, although if we had it at the last election then you'd be living under Hon Tony Abbott PM (which is presumably why Bronwyn Bishop advocated it earlier this year).

I believe the legislation also does not place a requirement on you placing the ballot in the box.

But none of this is really "voting"... If your vote isn't counted, there is no vote.

 

[Deleted member]

The Labor Party doesn't have a 'u' either.

It should though .....unless you a a fan of Mr Webster

And I think ! That once it may have, but happy to be corrected on that one