The Australian Election result

[french frank]

Funny how you lot seem to dismiss the result as a protest against Labour rather than a vote for traditional conservative values.

Most western countries seem to be pretty polarised between 'left' and 'right' (terms to be understood within the context of the individual states). When the voters have had enough of one making a mess of things, they vote in the other - presumably whenever Labor is elected, it's a rejection of 'traditional conservative values'. The concept of the 'mobile vulgus' still has some relevance.

[amateur51]

Imagine away, he still got elected with a large majority. Funny how you lot seem to dismiss the result as a protest against Labour rather than a vote for traditional conservative values. If the electorate were genuinely that fed up with Labour that they didn't want to vote for them, would they instead have voted for a party whose policies they rejected? The result would have been much closer in that scenario, with more votes spread between the various parties, not a thumping win for Abbott.

You don't think that Labor was also fatally wounded by its internal wrangling, the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd fiasco, perhaps?

I think Richard Barrett is spot on the money with his list of ministerial absences, a list that does in fact take Australia back to the 1950s, which perhaps is where the majority of (white male) Australians would like to be?

[amateur51]

Most western countries seem to be pretty polarised between 'left' and 'right' (terms to be understood within the context of the individual states). When the voters have had enough of one making a mess of things, they vote in the other - presumably whenever Labor is elected, it's a rejection of 'traditional conservative values'. The concept of the 'mobile vulgus' still has some relevance.

Sadly I believe you're correct french frank.

How good it would feel to vote for a candidate (be it party, MP or Prime Minister) rather than against one.

[amateur51]

Imagine away, he still got elected with a large majority. Funny how you lot seem to dismiss the result as a protest against Labour rather than a vote for traditional conservative values. If the electorate were genuinely that fed up with Labour that they didn't want to vote for them, would they instead have voted for a party whose policies they rejected? The result would have been much closer in that scenario, with more votes spread between the various parties, not a thumping win for Abbott.

You're getting your countries confused - in Australia, the party is called 'Labor'

[Mr Pee]

You're getting your countries confused - in Australia, the party is called 'Labor'

Whatever.

[french frank]

It probably depends which newspaper you read as to whether this was such a 'decisive' victory: other views tend to suggest it was not a 'rout'. I liked the story that the Labor supporters were relieved at the better than expected result and greeted Rudd with such a round of applause that he declared "Jeez, I thought we'd lost .." That's a politician with a sense of perspective.

[jean]

Most western countries seem to be pretty polarised between 'left' and 'right' (terms to be understood within the context of the individual states)...

Though since both Left and Right have been falling over each other to grab what they see as the middle ground - inevitable in a first-past-the-post system like ours, where the entire result hinges on a few swing voters in marginal constituencies - it's becoming increasingly hard to tell the difference.

[french frank]

it's becoming increasingly hard to tell the difference.

That's if you have political concerns.

In this country it's been largely tribal, anyway, with - as you say - the few floating voters in certain constituencies deciding the election result on the basis that they want a change from last time.

[Mr Pee]

Though since both Left and Right have been falling over each other to grab what they see as the middle ground - inevitable in a first-past-the-post system like ours, where the entire result hinges on a few swing voters in marginal constituencies - it's becoming increasingly hard to tell the difference.

Absloutely right, Jean, which is why parties that are different- such as UKIP- are gaining support and one of the reasons that there is a large amount of apathy and cynicism about politics and politicians in general.

[amateur51]

Whatever.

OK Mr Poo!

[amateur51]

Absloutely right, Jean, which is why parties that are different- such as UKIP- are gaining support and one of the reasons that there is a large amount of apathy and cynicism about politics and politicians in general.

Ah UKIP, party of policies. I wish someone would ask Mr Farage what his plans are for his first 100 days in government, y'know treat him like a proper politician instead of a birthday party entertainer .

[MrGongGong]

Ah UKIP, party of policies. I wish someone would ask Mr Farage what his plans are for his first 100 days in government, y'know treat him like a proper politician instead of a birthday party entertainer .

One has to be careful about the supposed "support"

This year 1 vote>>>>>>> Next 2 Votes

that's an increase of 100%

Here's mr Garage and friend on a "job"

http://quietus_production.s3.amazona...op_550x365.jpg


I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be a kipperkid ?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/he-doesnt-juggle-he-doesnt-twist-balloons-into-animal-shapes-he-just-stares-creepy-clown-terrifies-northampton-residents-8819006.html

[An_Inspector_Calls]

And his commitment to an objective view of climate change is illustrated by his having not included a minister for science in his cabinet (the first time the Australian government has been without a science minister since the post was created in 1931).

Ian MacFarlane (Industry) is a climate change sceptic so I would imagine he will be well placed to brief Abbott towards a sensible, objective view of climate change. However, it might not be a view you share.

[amateur51]

Ian MacFarlane (Industry) is a climate change sceptic so I would imagine he will be well placed to brief Abbott towards a sensible, objective view of climate change. However, it might not be a view you share.

Do they have a Civil Service in Australia?

[french frank]

Ian MacFarlane (Industry) is a climate change sceptic so I would imagine he will be well placed to brief Abbott towards a sensible, objective view of climate change. However, it might not be a view you share.

What, exactly, is your view, Inspector, since you yourself say that "Almost everyone accepts the fact that human activity contributes to climate change"?

What advice would you give Mr Abbott?