Julian Assange to run for Australian Senate

[Orphia Nay]

"WikiLeaks has announced its founder and leader Julian Assange is planning to run for a seat in the Australian Senate."

""We have discovered that it is possible for Julian Assange to run for the Australian Senate while detained," WikiLeaks said on Twitter.

WikiLeaks said it would also be running a candidate against Prime Minister Julia Gillard in her seat of Lalor.

"The name of the Lalor candidate and the state Julian will run for will be announced at the appropriate time," it said."​

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-17/julian-assange-to-run-for-senate/3895958

 

[WildCat]

As a member of the Senate would he have access to classified information?

 

[Childlike Empress]

And, are you going to vote for him Orphia?

 

[lionking]

With preference deals he could get in with around 6-7% of the vote. I reckon he's got a chance. And I may very well vote for him.

 

[WildCat]

And I may very well vote for him.

What impresses you about him?

 

[Orphia Nay]

And, are you going to vote for him Orphia?

I won't be able to if he's running in another state. You too, lionking.

http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/How_to_vote/Voting_Senate.htm

If he runs for Victoria, I will consider his policies and compare them to his opponents'.

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

Interesting!

I'm not inclined to put Assange on any kind of pedestal but I'd get one hell of a kick out of him being in the Senate. We could use a strong advocate for transparency, frankly. I'd throw a vote his way.

If he ended up holding the balance of power I'd giggle for days. Years, maybe.

 

[lionking]

I won't be able to if he's running in another state. You too, lionking.

http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/How_to_vote/Voting_Senate.htm

If he runs for Victoria, I will consider his policies and compare them to his opponents'.

Yes, I know that, but he did live in Melbourne, and I think he would get good support in Victoria. Remember that Melbourne elected the only Greens MHR last election.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Yes, I know that, but he did live in Melbourne, and I think he would get good support in Victoria. Remember that Melbourne elected the only Greens MHR last election.

Ah, yes, indeed.

If the other Wikileaks member is going to run for Lalor (Victoria), that means he/she's running for the House of Representatives, right?

 

[lionking]

What impresses you about him?

Those nominated for the Senate by major parties are almost always machine people - union officials on the Labor side, and electoral officers or employer association operatives on the Liberal side. They are often unknown before election, and not much better known after. Senators can spend their entire political careers out of the spotlight merely serving time. Senators were once memorably and accurately described by former PM Keating as "unrepresentative swill". So I don't need to be greatly impressed by someone up against the current mob of Senators.

So I think he has more talent than most other Senators, and certainly the current crop of independents. Have a look at one of them, Bob Katter, and his enlightened views. He would make a mighty fine Tea Partier. http://www.theage.com.au/polls/opin...-katters-antigay-campaign-20120313-1uxk2.html

The outrage by major parties to Assange's election would be well worth my vote.

 

[WildCat]

We could use a strong advocate for transparency, frankly.

As transparent as wikileaks is?

 

[lionking]

As transparent as wikileaks is?

This thread isn't about wikileaks. That issue has been debated ad nauseum in other threads.

 

[Pardalis]

This thread isn't about wikileaks. That issue has been debated ad nauseum in other threads.

But one as to ask, will he intercept cables from his own office?

 

[lionking]

I seriously doubt an independent Senator without portfolio would be privy to any sensitive information at all.

 

[Pardalis]

I have the impression he's merely going to be a naysayer.

 

[Captain Obvious]

I have the impression he's merely going to be a naysayer.

No he's not.

 

[lionking]

I have the impression he's merely going to be a naysayer.

As Kevin Lowe suggested above, with the way the Senate is constituted, if elected he may hold the balance of power. Even though I have little respect for the Senate, it has the power to reject Bills. He could become one of the most influential politicians in the land.

 

[Pardalis]

I will pray for you.

 

[WildCat]

Oh well, lots of lulz are sure to follow if he gets elected.

 

[Virus]

This thread isn't about wikileaks. That issue has been debated ad nauseum in other threads.

He's running for political office. His connections with dodgy political groups is 100% relevant.