The Australian Election Thread

[Rii]

Re: Thje Australian Election Thread

I prefer for the Greens/Independents to have the balance of power because they at least don't just refuse to support something just because the other party suggests it.

Ironically, Labor lost my vote when they supported a Liberal initiative: the gay marriage ban. It'll take a commitment to repeal that before they ever get my support again.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Re: Thje Australian Election Thread

Not sure which devils I am going to vote for this time around. I don't want the state spying on my internet usage the way they spy on my phone calls. I daresay both Labor and the Libs will want this internet filter installed. Also I am not sure whether the seat I live in is marginal or 'safe', is there any way to find this out? No sense in worrying about who you are voting for in a safe seat..

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Re: Thje Australian Election Thread

^ Try this site Nick, from the AEC. It told me that the Liberals have never won Newcastle.

 

[Marc]

Re: Thje Australian Election Thread

Not sure which devils I am going to vote for this time around. I don't want the state spying on my internet usage the way they spy on my phone calls. I daresay both Labor and the Libs will want this internet filter installed. Also I am not sure whether the seat I live in is marginal or 'safe', is there any way to find this out? No sense in worrying about who you are voting for in a safe seat..

I think anyone who thinks the Coalition won't try to continue with it is kidding themselves.

The whole internet censorship thing began with howard and the only reason why they didn't go the same route as Labor initially was the ISPs told them it wasn't feasible with the technology at the time.

Now with the Abbott in charge it's not going to be much different. When asked about it soon after become opposition leader Abbott responded they would wait to see the legislation.

Problem is there's actually a great deal of support in the community for it (but the given that ratings from Today Tonight and A Current Affairs it's not surprising).

If Gillard wins hopefully she's reshuffle the cabinet and boot conroy as communications minister. Kate Lundy is a member of the socialist left of the Labor PArty but she was damn good as shadow communications minister (though maybe it was cos she was up against Richard "Luddite" Alstone) and she might kill the noxious thing.

 

[Australis]

^Ah yes, I remember Kate Lundy, she was good.

(BTW, thanks whoever fixed thread title. )

 

[Botany Bay]

The Greens will not support it in any way shape or form.

The Libs have historically preferred and opt-in scheme at the household level.

Stephen Conroy is electoral poison, I wouldn't expect you'd hear a peep from him throughout the campaign, but make no mistake, a vote for the ALP is a vote for the filtering of free speech, and the communications minister who decided that it would be a good idea to gift $500, 000, 000. Yes, that's half a BILLION, to the three commercial TV networks in an election year after a skiing holiday in Colorado with Kerry Stokes (Ch7 chairman).

Surprisingly (or not) this has had minimal media coverage.

I think some interesting books will be written about Mr. Conroy one day.

In the meantime, Gillard's refusal to demote this buffoon is reason enough enough to put the ALP last, and if you are in Victoria, and concerned about this issue, I sincerely hope you will vote below the line in the Senate and put Conroy last.

Meantime, Abbott has had a rough few days - he can't win unless he kills off this perception that he will tamper with IR, and on this he has been pretty unconvincing IMO.

 

[Botany Bay]

The ALP's solution to climate change?

A Citizens' Assembly.

A Citizens' Assembly.

It's laughable.

Or at least, it would be laughable if the planet wasn't turning into a boiling sewer before our eyes.

 

[Australis]

The one thing an Assembly has going for it is to assess what the level of public support, for moving towards climate change, actually is. That way, if there's enough, actually doing something an be justified, and make those blocking it look like the bad guy.

 

[Australis]

Libs disendorse candidate for being a fat bastard. News at 11.

 

[Jono]

Baker (the candidate that got booted by the Libs) sounds like a dick and a moron...can't believe he was surprised he got booted. Abbott already has to deal with the fact he gets portrayed as a bit of a religious wack-job from time to time by certain sections so the last thing he needs is Liberal candidates that could enhance that image.

In a fairly strong Labor seat in QLD, the guy out just over 60% of the vote last election. Wasn't too happy with want they did to Rudd and if I didn't dislike the Liberals so much I would switch over, given that there is no way I'm going to vote for Labor in the Senate.

 

[Marc]

In a fairly strong Labor seat in QLD, the guy out just over 60% of the vote last election. Wasn't too happy with want they did to Rudd and if I didn't dislike the Liberals so much I would switch over, given that there is no way I'm going to vote for Labor in the Senate.

Just don't vote Liberal or National in the Senate. Australia needs a third party or independant with the balance of power. To given the opposition control or being the largest party in the senat is only going to be counter productive.

As for Rudd - he was electoral poison and for the noise made by Abbott, if he won the election and the Coalition was in the same position Labor was just months out from going to the polls, he'd be dumped faster than an unfaithful SO.

 

[Botany Bay]

Latest Newspoll :

2PP : ALP 52 - Lib/Nat 48.

Exactly the same position they were in when they dumped Rudd.

The honeymoon is over, baby.

 

[Marc]

Latest Newspoll :

2PP : ALP 52 - Lib/Nat 48.

Exactly the same position they were in when they dumped Rudd.

The honeymoon is over, baby.

Yet last week Newspoll had Labor up (with polling taken after the election was called so what's changed?).

 

[Australis]

The media can't make its mind up as to who won the debate. I was making dinner at the time, so didn't follow it closely - the overall feel I got was Gillard was a bit too noncommital, and Abbot tended towards negativity, which isn't as attractive as he thinks. I'd give it to Gillard, but only just, and that might be my bias anyway.

I'm still not convinced on the idea of a third party controlling the senate, that can just lead to blockages. but hey, I get where you're coming from, we're all different. Just don't expect me to be enthused

 

[Botany Bay]

Latest Newspoll :

2PP : ALP 52 - Lib/Nat 48.

Exactly the same position they were in when they dumped Rudd.

The honeymoon is over, baby.

Yet last week Newspoll had Labor up (with polling taken after the election was called so what's changed?).

Gillard announced her climate change non-policy.

Arguably the biggest event of the campaign happens tomorrow, with the release of the June quarter inflation numbers.

A bad number will guarantee a mid election rate rise, taking mortgage rates into the uncomfortable territory of the high 7's.

This election is being pitched at the mortgage belt battlers, who would be less than impressed with their seventh rate hike in a row just as they begin to think about who to vote for.

The ALP should be nervous if it happens.

 

[Botany Bay]

The election is finally starting to get interesting now, with the ALP's campaign now being sabotaged from within.

Someone has leaked two massive stories that both portray Gillard in a less than flattering light.

Firstly, there was the revelation that she reneged on a deal with Rudd for him to stand down if his polling didn't improve by October, in favor of immediately knifing him once she realized she had the numbers.

Then, last night, it was revealed she opposed the Government's paid parental leave scheme, and wanted to stop a welfare increase for pensioners on the basis that "old people never vote for us".

It is hard not to get the impression she is a calculating, shameless political opportunist.

Someone within her tent is trying to scuttle their own party's election chances.

It's getting ugly now.

 

[Miss Chicken]

"old people never vote for us".

My mother votes Labor, I don't know how she will react to such a statement. So do many other elderly people i know.

Also any pension increase will include those on disability pensions who would probably vote Labor at a higher rate than the elderly do.

 

[Australis]

My Dad votes Labor too, can't stand silvertails.

hey, the Chaser's 'Yes We Canberra!' is on right now! Watch it now! Funny and nasty to all sides!

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

^ indeed. #YWC

love the angry kevin burger

 

[Australis]

The Burgers are Bitter(TM)

Julie Bishop Staring Contest! Who knew she had a sense of humour?!