Australian Federal Election 2010

[Wildy]

Since there has been an election announced for August 21, I figure we should have a proper thread for this, so here it is.

For those who are interested the ABC has their 2010 election page up already.




It hasn't been too long but already someone has attacked Jassmine Wood one of the Liberal candidates here in SA.

Also, voter registration closes on Monday, what do you guys think about that? I would have thought it would be better to keep registration open until later in the campaign.

 

[a_unique_person]

Also, voter registration closes on Monday, what do you guys think about that? I would have thought it would be better to keep registration open until later in the campaign.

That was one of the Liberal parties sneakier moves. Younger people tend to vote Labor, by making the registration time so short, it means those who aren't enrolled to vote yet won't be able to register and vote.

The Labor party did try to change that rule, but the Liberals blocked it in the Senate.

Tony Abbot meanwhile predicts the Labor Party will run a 'filthy' campaign. His irony meter appears to be out of order.

 

[MG1962]

I have always prefered to have the registrations close as soon as the warrents are issued. It helps to stop stacking of the electrol rolls. Most seats it never matters but I have lived in a seat where the final margin was less than 100 votes

 

[lionking]

I have always prefered to have the registrations close as soon as the warrents are issued. It helps to stop stacking of the electrol rolls. Most seats it never matters but I have lived in a seat where the final margin was less than 100 votes

Absolutely agree. It was a 32 vote margin in my electorate last time.

 

[a_unique_person]

I have always prefered to have the registrations close as soon as the warrents are issued. It helps to stop stacking of the electrol rolls. Most seats it never matters but I have lived in a seat where the final margin was less than 100 votes

Except that wasn't the reason for the Liberals changing the rules.

 

[rjh01]

I have always prefered to have the registrations close as soon as the warrents are issued. It helps to stop stacking of the electrol rolls. Most seats it never matters but I have lived in a seat where the final margin was less than 100 votes

If anyone wants to stack marginal seats then
1. They have three years to do it.
2. This indicates a problem in the system where some votes are more important than other votes.

 

[MG1962]

If anyone wants to stack marginal seats then
1. They have three years to do it.
2. This indicates a problem in the system where some votes are more important than other votes.

No because they dont know what the danger seats are until close to the election

 

[lionking]

No because they dont know what the danger seats are until close to the election

I think that's correct.

Parties do their own private polling and decide strategy on that basis. I know thet there were a heap of local and state issues at play, but there's no doubt that the 25% swing against Labor in the Penrith by-election will mean that the government will concentrate their efforts on this area.

Watching the Insiders on ABC TV this morning, it now seems that the comfortable lead Labor holds nationally is no guarantee of victory. That there are enough seats under threat in NSW and Queensland alone to change government. Could be close.

 

[rjh01]

No because they dont know what the danger seats are until close to the election

For starters, every seat held by the Government by a small %. Some adjustments can be made, if for example the member gets their name in the papers frequently for all the right reasons. They may become a front bencher. Or maybe the government announces a policy (or has a policy win) that has a significant impact on that seat. All of which would be known long before the election.

Opinion polls would not be very reliable. They would need to be conducted right, plus have a large sample size for accuracy. If a marginal seat is ignored then people might change their vote and a "safe" marginal seat changes hands.

 

[bit_pattern]

I have always prefered to have the registrations close as soon as the warrents are issued. It helps to stop stacking of the electrol rolls. Most seats it never matters but I have lived in a seat where the final margin was less than 100 votes

I was thinking of enrolling at a mate's address in the seat of Melbourne so I could vote Green for this very reason

 

[bit_pattern]

The Chaser are returning to the ABC (these guys will never sell out, lol) for the election to with 'Yes We Canberra'

http://www.chaser.com.au/component/content/article/29-chaser-updates/3541-yeswecanberra

 

[Wildy]

Greens and Labor have a preference deal.

I don't really care for the preference deals since they just affect the order of the numbers on the "how to vote" cards. I decide my own preferences.

ETA: The above only really applies to the Greens. Labor are directing their Senate preferences to the Greens.

 

[rjh01]

Greens and Labor have a preference deal.

I don't really care for the preference deals since they just affect the order of the numbers on the "how to vote" cards. I decide my own preferences.

ETA: The above only really applies to the Greens lower house. Labor are directing their Senate preferences to the Greens.

I corrected your post above. In the lower house voters can direct their preferences to any candidate. They are offered a card that says how to do this, however it can be ignored by the voter.

For the upper house the voter either
a. Puts a large number of numbers on the ballot (below the line voting) or
b. Puts a 1 in the party box. The preferences are then given as per the party wishes.

I hope I am only saying what all Australian voters already know. But just in case I am wrong...

 

[lionking]

This preference deal means game over. The only interest is the margin now.

 

[bit_pattern]

This preference deal means game over.

Interesting times, to be sure.

 

[Undesired Walrus]

Out of interest, are there any prominent non-white politicians in Australia?

 

[arthwollipot]

I don't really care for the preference deals since they just affect the order of the numbers on the "how to vote" cards. I decide my own preferences.

A huge number of people don't.

 

[lionking]

Out of interest, are there any prominent non-white politicians in Australia?

(I assume you are talking about aborigines.)

Not really, but as indigenous Australians make up only 2.4% of the population this is not really surprising. I'm happy if any other aussie contradicts me.

 

[arthwollipot]

There are a few of Asian ancestry - Penny Wong, for example. And one loud Scot.

 

[Alan]

Penny Wong is the most prominent non-white politician that comes to mind for me.

Indigenous Australian politicians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ns_in_politics_and_public_service#Politicians