Australian Federal Election

[astronelson 339]

Your point, Sixers? Caution is always advisable in this kind of situation.

[sixers33 3]

Some political analysts just know more

[sixers33 3]

Some political analysts just know more

[astronelson 339]

Oh please. Getting a guess right on a completely unpredictable decision from a choice of two options is not knowing more.

[astronelson 339]

Oh please. Getting a guess right on a completely unpredictable decision from a choice of two options is not knowing more.

[sixers33 3]

Australias best political journalist David Speers and one of the best Peter Van Onselen or a Labor bias, (also incredibly boring) O'Brien..i wonder If i want bias politics, i'll go to the ABC for pro-labor indulgence

[sixers33 3]

Australias best political journalist David Speers and one of the best Peter Van Onselen or a Labor bias, (also incredibly boring) O'Brien..i wonder If i want bias politics, i'll go to the ABC for pro-labor indulgence

[astronelson 339]

I'd rather Australia's best political analyst Antony Green (no relation to Andrew Greene). Anyway, when was being entertaining a criterion for journalism?

On the matter of the ABC having a pro-Labor bias, why aren't you getting your numbers from Sky News? That chart and those quotes are from the ABC's website.

Now to an election-related note, the Senate.

The Coalition has the most seats in it, with 33, but that is of little consequence with the ALP on 31 and the Greens holding 9. There's a Family First senator (from South Australia), a DLP senator (from Victoria), and the Independent senator Nick Xenophon was not in the half of the senate up for election this time around.

The Greens have the balance of power. If the Coalition somehow manage to form government (which looks unlikely), they'll have to deal with a very hostile Senate.

[astronelson 339]

I'd rather Australia's best political analyst Antony Green (no relation to Andrew Greene). Anyway, when was being entertaining a criterion for journalism?

On the matter of the ABC having a pro-Labor bias, why aren't you getting your numbers from Sky News? That chart and those quotes are from the ABC's website.

Now to an election-related note, the Senate.

The Coalition has the most seats in it, with 33, but that is of little consequence with the ALP on 31 and the Greens holding 9. There's a Family First senator (from South Australia), a DLP senator (from Victoria), and the Independent senator Nick Xenophon was not in the half of the senate up for election this time around.

The Greens have the balance of power. If the Coalition somehow manage to form government (which looks unlikely), they'll have to deal with a very hostile Senate.

[sneakeypete 16]

I thought the FF guy got kicked out in the voting, how long does he have till his term is up?

[sneakeypete 16]

I thought the FF guy got kicked out in the voting, how long does he have till his term is up?

[astronelson 339]

Er, my apologies. The DLP and Family First have chances on two Senate seats that are still in doubt, they haven't actually won them yet. I misread the source.

Senator Nick Fielding is running against the DLP candidate, and is predicted to lose his seat. The new (potential) Family First senator is in a different state.

[astronelson 339]

Er, my apologies. The DLP and Family First have chances on two Senate seats that are still in doubt, they haven't actually won them yet. I misread the source.

Senator Nick Fielding is running against the DLP candidate, and is predicted to lose his seat. The new (potential) Family First senator is in a different state.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Elected Senate has its drawbacks, especially in the current kerfuffle.  Ours is appointive, so we don't get into multiple election hassels at the same time.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Elected Senate has its drawbacks, especially in the current kerfuffle.  Ours is appointive, so we don't get into multiple election hassels at the same time.

[sixers33 3]

Decision tomorrow!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Shall I bait my breath with garlic or worms?

[astronelson 339]

Family First's shot at the sixth South Australian Senate seat is slipping. http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2010/guide/ssa-results.htm

It starting to look likely that the Liberals will pick up that one, although they are still within a few hundred votes of each other with 85.6% of the vote (130,447 votes) counted. The ALP, while ahead, will probably lose on preferences.

[sixers33 3]

Turns out they want to delay it...AGAIN, looks like tomorrow (Tuesday) will be the decision.

[sixers33 3]

AFTER 17 days the nation's election deadlock is expected to be broken today by the three key rural balance-of-power Independents.

Queensland's Bob Katter and Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott of New South Wales are set to reveal whether they have chosen to keep Julia Gillard in power or put Tony Abbott into office.

http://www.news.com.au/features/federal-election/gang-of-three-to-break-deadlock-today-as-parties-sign-up-to-reforms/story-fn5taogy-1225915054749?from=igoogle+gadget+compact+news_rss

Remember:

ALP+Brandt+Wilkie: 74

Coalition: 73

Independents: 3

Magic number to form government is 76

[astronelson 339]

The independents will give 1 hour notice before they make their announcement. ABC thinks it might be sometime around 2pm.

EDIT: Rob Oakeshott has said the independents will hold a press conference at 3pm.

EDIT 2: Bob Katter has announced early, he's backing the Coalition. Oakeshott and Windsor are still to say who they'll be going with, but hopefully they won't be split. We would like a government, after all.

It's now 74-74.

[astronelson 339]

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, we have a government! The last two independents have gone to the ALP, making Julia Gillard the Prime Minister with 76 seats.

[sixers33 3]

 

[sneakeypete 16]

Can't fathom why katter did that.

On the other hand i wouldn't like the idea of him pushing through some of his ideas if he had supported the ALP.

[Asheroo 53]

Well, you could probably tell what my reaction is. As for Bob Katter, I understand why he did that, but think it was quite silly as he hasn't achieved much by doing that, though I'm sure he will work with the government particularly on regional issues. Let me tell you, there was nothing more that pissed me off when I was working at my local primary school's polling booth from dawn til dusk than people telling us they're not supporting Labor anymore because of what happened to Kevin or because of the state government or inaction of climate change. If people are going to vote, they need to have all sides in them, and not just instant hate for one party, not too much logic or constructive reasoning there, but as if many people tune deeply into politics. But either way, if we did have Kevin, we probably would've lost seats in other states.

There's one thing for sure though, the 2012 Queensland state election is going to be a killer for us (referring to me and the ALP), though my local state member is very well known as a great state MP as he has been for many years. Unfortunately, it's a shame that wasn't seen as much with our previous federal member (who was in the Brisbane City Council for quite a while and known well for that), unfortunately we lost her (but the swing against is in the electorate was unbelievable, infact, almost unexplainable).

The next 3 years in Australian politics will be very, very interesting. And then in 2013 (hopefully), who knows, maybe I'll be running for my local federal electorate.

[sixers33 3]

Wow are we in for an unstable few years. Any bets on when the election will be? Christmas? Mid-Next year?

We are one byelection away from Liberals gaining government..(oh and byelections happen, not a matter of if, but when really).

ALP have NO room to stuff things up, if they get through this three years in a +50% support position, call it a miracle.

[Asheroo 53]

I believe it can be done, the government just needs to negociate (I prefer saying that now, more fancier) to the best of its abilities. I think we can get through to 2013, just better hope the independents don't abuse their power so much.

[sixers33 3]

It's 'negotiate' and Julia Gillard can't pronounce the word correctly if her life depended on it. If i hear her say it again, i swear i'll destroy all pulp mills to go with the forests in Tasmania!

[sixers33 3]

ABC.net.au/election/

Australian Labor Party: 72

Greens: 1

Independents: Wilkie, Oakeshott, Windsor: 3

TOTAL: 76 [ MAGIC NUMBER TO FORM MINORITY GOVERNMENT ]

Coalition: 72

National/Independent: Crook:  1

Independents: Katter: 1

TOTAL: 74

[astronelson 339]

I'm optimistic about this - I reckon they could pull off three years of governance, then go on to win quite handily in 2013. If they put a lot of effort into making it work, that is.