Middle Road - Page 3

casimendocina · 09-07-2010, 04:47 AM

After 17 days, we have a PM and a government!

ZenGum · 09-07-2010, 08:04 AM

Phew. That was close.

The Sun rose with the coalition on 73, Labor on 74, three undecided.

Around noon, Katter announced he was supporting the coalition. 74 all.

Then Windsor, and then Oakeshott, very s-l-o-w-l-y announced that they would support Labor. 76-74.

The incumbent (Gillard) remains as Prime Minister with a minority in the lower house, with support in matters of supply (passing the budget) and motions of confidence from four of the five independents.

Labor also have a minority in the upper house, with Greens (mostly) holding the balance of power.

So, in effect, the "working class" city folk are the government, but they have to be nice to the bushies and the greenies; and the middle and wealthy classes make up the opposition.

There are mechanisms in our constitution for early elections if government becomes unworkable. Will this strange arrangement last a full three year term?

I'm really happy with this result, both for the immediate political arrangement and for the reinvigoration of the parliamentary process.

Lamplighter · 09-07-2010, 09:57 AM

Zen's post today lead me to re-read the entire thread,
and then get into casi's 8/24 link to the sbs.com website.
It's a fascinating read for someone like me who has never followed Australian politics.
Been there once, but only as an in-and-out business trip.

I can't say I am really understanding yet it as much as I should.
The parliamentary system is still new to me, but I'll keep learning.
But it's been a happy morning in the rain peeking in on all this.

Thank you Aliantha, ZenGum, casimendocina, et al.

casimendocina · 09-08-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

I'm really happy with this result, both for the immediate political arrangement and for the reinvigoration of the parliamentary process.

I don't think the public have paid this much attention to an election since Gough Whitlam (I am making this assertion with no back-up evidence whatsoever) although everyone I knew was on the edge of their seats last election to see if John Howard would finally get ousted or not. I, personally, would have liked to have seen Tony Abbott's implosion on receiving the news that he was not to be PM. I wonder if they'll start letting him speak without a script again.

ZenGum · 09-08-2010, 07:58 AM

Ya, Tony must be seething inside. He is carrying himself well, so far.

Aliantha · 09-09-2010, 06:27 AM

Yeah well, just wait till a couple of days into the next sitting of parliament!

ZenGum · 09-09-2010, 08:06 AM

Ali, can you say why Queensland went so against Labor? I hear the economy up there has been below par lately, is that it? Or were people ticked off about the Rudd dumping?

Aliantha · 09-09-2010, 05:37 PM

It was partly about Rudd, partly about the mining tax and partly because our labor Premier is a dingbat. In a nutshell anyway.

It's important to remember that before Labor sank their teeth in with Labor, Qld was a National's stronghold (although that was largely in part thanks to Joh's gerrymander), but even so we'd traditionally been a very conservative state ruled by rural decisions. Remember, Brisband was still considered to be a big country town until about 20 yrs ago.

I doubt Labor will win the next state election, particularly if they keep Spanna Bligh as their leader. She is such an idiot.

casimendocina · 09-23-2010, 07:32 AM

Was checking out the ABC website looking for an interview with a media guy from Afghanistan and found this. It's got a bit of everything including the election.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...m?site=thedrum

tw · 09-23-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casimendocina

It's got a bit of everything including the election.

Where is the part about this spring's expected locust plaque?

xoxoxoBruce · 09-23-2010, 11:56 PM

That's between the locusts and their dentist.

casimendocina · 09-24-2010, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tw

Where is the part about this spring's expected locust plaque?

You see...the guys who were doing the locust survey that we met in Cradock pub 10 weeks ago still haven't made it back to the capital city to submit their report. They're still busy surveying locusts (i.e. Do you swarm often?).

ZenGum · 09-26-2010, 09:23 AM

Not only can we not settle an election, we can't settle the footy either.

Grand final of the Aussie Rules football, Collingwood Vs St Kilda, two old Melbourne teams. The last time they played a final It was St Kilda 74 - 73.

This time St Kilda came back from 24 points down around half time to edge in front near the end, only to have the match finish in a draw at 68 - 68.

Extra time? Not us.
Golden goal? bah!
Penalty kicks? for sooks.
Come back next weekend and play the whole game again? Brilliant!

xoxoxoBruce · 09-26-2010, 12:44 PM

Does everyone have to buy new tickets?

casimendocina · 09-26-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Not only can we not settle an election, we can't settle the footy either.

Come back next weekend and play the whole game again? Brilliant!

Bit of a shame for those who had scheduled their wedding to be AFTER the end of the football season and the grand final.

09-07-2010, 08:04 AM	#32
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Phew. That was close. The Sun rose with the coalition on 73, Labor on 74, three undecided. Around noon, Katter announced he was supporting the coalition. 74 all. Then Windsor, and then Oakeshott, very s-l-o-w-l-y announced that they would support Labor. 76-74. The incumbent (Gillard) remains as Prime Minister with a minority in the lower house, with support in matters of supply (passing the budget) and motions of confidence from four of the five independents. Labor also have a minority in the upper house, with Greens (mostly) holding the balance of power. So, in effect, the "working class" city folk are the government, but they have to be nice to the bushies and the greenies; and the middle and wealthy classes make up the opposition. There are mechanisms in our constitution for early elections if government becomes unworkable. Will this strange arrangement last a full three year term? I'm really happy with this result, both for the immediate political arrangement and for the reinvigoration of the parliamentary process. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-08-2010, 07:58 AM	#35
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Ya, Tony must be seething inside. He is carrying himself well, so far. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-09-2010, 06:27 AM	#36
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Yeah well, just wait till a couple of days into the next sitting of parliament! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

09-09-2010, 08:06 AM	#37
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Ali, can you say why Queensland went so against Labor? I hear the economy up there has been below par lately, is that it? Or were people ticked off about the Rudd dumping? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-09-2010, 05:37 PM	#38
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	It was partly about Rudd, partly about the mining tax and partly because our labor Premier is a dingbat. In a nutshell anyway. It's important to remember that before Labor sank their teeth in with Labor, Qld was a National's stronghold (although that was largely in part thanks to Joh's gerrymander), but even so we'd traditionally been a very conservative state ruled by rural decisions. Remember, Brisband was still considered to be a big country town until about 20 yrs ago. I doubt Labor will win the next state election, particularly if they keep Spanna Bligh as their leader. She is such an idiot. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber Last edited by Aliantha; 09-09-2010 at 05:45 PM.

09-07-2010, 04:47 AM	#31
casimendocina Professor Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,622	After 17 days, we have a PM and a government!

09-07-2010, 09:57 AM	#33
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	Zen's post today lead me to re-read the entire thread, and then get into casi's 8/24 link to the sbs.com website. It's a fascinating read for someone like me who has never followed Australian politics. Been there once, but only as an in-and-out business trip. I can't say I am really understanding yet it as much as I should. The parliamentary system is still new to me, but I'll keep learning. But it's been a happy morning in the rain peeking in on all this. Thank you Aliantha, ZenGum, casimendocina, et al.

09-23-2010, 07:32 AM	#39
casimendocina Professor Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,622	Was checking out the ABC website looking for an interview with a media guy from Afghanistan and found this. It's got a bit of everything including the election. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...m?site=thedrum

09-23-2010, 11:56 PM	#41
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	That's between the locusts and their dentist. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

09-26-2010, 09:23 AM	#43
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Not only can we not settle an election, we can't settle the footy either. Grand final of the Aussie Rules football, Collingwood Vs St Kilda, two old Melbourne teams. The last time they played a final It was St Kilda 74 - 73. This time St Kilda came back from 24 points down around half time to edge in front near the end, only to have the match finish in a draw at 68 - 68. Extra time? Not us. Golden goal? bah! Penalty kicks? for sooks. Come back next weekend and play the whole game again? Brilliant! __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-26-2010, 12:44 PM	#44
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Does everyone have to buy new tickets? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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