Aussie Election called for Oct 9th

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2004-08-30 03:31am

Is it just me, or is an Australian election as dignified and organized as a California recall election?

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2004-08-30 04:17am

CaptainChewbacca wrote:Is it just me, or is an Australian election as dignified and organized as a California recall election?

As far as I'm aware, we havent had any issues with miss-counting. That is to say there are no structural problems with the process. Doesnt mean we have to like the people running for office.

Flash · Post by **Flash** » 2004-08-30 08:17am

Archaic` wrote:I wonder if the stripper is on the ballot paper again this year...

She ran in my local seat, and I voted for her. She seemed like different kind of politician.

She also aims to be elected Lord Mayor of Brisbane (watch out Newman!), and apparently plans to run for the Senate in 2004.

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-08-30 12:22pm

Just how well did she do in that last election anyway? I never saw any hard figures for it.

Post by **weemadando** » 2004-08-30 08:45pm

Hmmm, an election...

Well, I'm not going to vote for Howard or any of his local reps (who down here in Tassie are mainly neo-conservative fucktards).

Latham and Labour elicit and very strong meh from me at the moment.

The Democrats (who I voted for at the last election) have taken a fucking nose-dive into self destruction.

The Greens are now a fucking huge force in Tassie politics and I have the feeling we might be seeing them coming to a degree of power on the national level, but if Christine Milne is one of their candidates you can be GODDAMN FUCKING CERTAIN I won't be voting for that BACKWARDS THINKING RADICAL CONSERVATIVE SILVERSPOON BITCH.

And with Brian Harradine stepping down I have to say that I'll miss that hardcore right wing conservative old coot.

At the moment I have not a clue who to vote for because everyone is just as unappealing as the others.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-08-30 09:53pm

weemadando wrote:At the moment I have not a clue who to vote for because everyone is just as unappealing as the others.

I certainly know how that feels.

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-08-31 12:26am

Given how that feeling at times seems almost universal, it's a wonder no new party has stepped up and tried to make a name for itself since the clusterfuck that was One Nation and its offshoots.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-08-31 04:57am

Greens and Democrats promise to swap senate preference votes.

Fuck, and I was seriously considering voting Democrat.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2004-09-03 11:30am

Archaic` wrote:Hmmmm....given that I'm currently overseas, even though I'll be returning next year, am I legally required to vote in this farce?

That's a really good question ... I guess I'll have to make a trip on down to my nearest Embassy.

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-09-03 01:48pm

Just checked. Not required! All I have to do is send a letter saying I was overseas to the electoral commission when they send me one asking why I didn't vote.

I'll probably register to vote anyway though. The Consulate isn't so far away, and it's less hastle than having to send a letter to the electoral commission. Probably just Donkey Vote.

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2004-09-05 04:33am

Archaic` wrote:Just checked. Not required! All I have to do is send a letter saying I was overseas to the electoral commission when they send me one asking why I didn't vote.

I'll probably register to vote anyway though. The Consulate isn't so far away, and it's less hastle than having to send a letter to the electoral commission. Probably just Donkey Vote.

Nah, I'm voting Labour or Democrates ... we need to place someone in power who isn't afraid to grope the Queen's ass again!

Lusankya · Post by **Lusankya** » 2004-09-05 02:56pm

All I know is I'm putting the Greens way down the bottom... I like living in a country with an economy to speak of.

_________________
Thrawn is sexy

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-09-05 03:43pm

Best throw the Dems down there too. They want to totally nix Nuclear power.

[quote=Australian Democrats Police Paper]The Australian Democrats oppose:
The production of energy from nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, at least until such time as the latter is demonstrably safe and ecologically benign, and there is no need for its use;[/quote]

Does anyone know if Howard is finally going to step down after this election or not? If I'm forced to make a serious vote, I'd at least know if I should be feeling guilty for it or not. As much as I hate the man, I can't bring myself to vote for Labour.

Lusankya · Post by **Lusankya** » 2004-09-05 03:49pm

they had a booth at a place where I was once (I can't remember where... some careers thing, I think) and I put a sticker down on the "I want a nuclear dump placed quite far away from the bulk of SA's population and in one of the most geologically stable places in the world" side of the poster that they had there. Of course, the poster didn't say that in those words exactly, but I knew what it meant.

then the democrats lady there gave me a funny look.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-09-05 06:31pm

The Australian Democrats oppose:
The production of energy from nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, at least until such time as the latter is demonstrably safe and ecologically benign, and there is no need for its use;

Fuck the Democrats now. Fuck the Greens.

Couple this with the back scratching between the two parties, and you've got one sorry excuse for an election choice.

Oh how far the Democrats have fallen... whatever happened to "keeping the bastards honest," Bartlett? Somebody should apply Don Chipp's slogan to the current administration.

Archaic` wrote:Does anyone know if Howard is finally going to step down after this election or not? If I'm forced to make a serious vote, I'd at least know if I should be feeling guilty for it or not. As much as I hate the man, I can't bring myself to vote for Labour.

I know where you're coming from. Latham simply put hasn't had much of an impact on me, and his campaign seems to be limited to "Howard is an arsehole! I'm not Howard! Vote for me." The question is, if Howard plans to step down if he wins this election, who replaces him?

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-09-05 07:22pm

Stofsk wrote:Fuck the Democrats now. Fuck the Greens. Couple this with the back scratching between the two parties, and you've got one sorry excuse for an election choice.

Oh how far the Democrats have fallen... whatever happened to "keeping the bastards honest," Bartlett? Somebody should apply Don Chipp's slogan to the current administration.

Considering Bartlett was the senator who got drunk and assaulted Senator Jeannie Ferris in the senate chamber last year, I'd say he qualifes as a bastard before even considering the fact he's a typical lying politican.

Stofsk wrote:I know where you're coming from. Latham simply put hasn't had much of an impact on me, and his campaign seems to be limited to "Howard is an arsehole! I'm not Howard! Vote for me." The question is, if Howard plans to step down if he wins this election, who replaces him?

Costello and Downer are the only ones I could see in the current lot who might aim for the leadership. Costello's the more likely of the two. Sadly, he seems to be cut from the same mold as Howard as far as social conservatism goes. Downer...I suppose I could put up with him. Can't remember off the top of my head anything he's done recently where he's made an utter prat of himself.

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-09-05 07:26pm

GAH. What is it with me and screwing up quotes today. Would a kindly passing mod please fix that?

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-09-05 07:57pm

Archaic` wrote:Costello and Downer are the only ones I could see in the current lot who might aim for the leadership. Costello's the more likely of the two. Sadly, he seems to be cut from the same mold as Howard as far as social conservatism goes. Downer...I suppose I could put up with him. Can't remember off the top of my head anything he's done recently where he's made an utter prat of himself.

He told China the other week that Australia would be under no obligation via the ANZUS treaty to come to Taiwan's aid should China eventually 'deal with it'. Despite being fucking wrong - because the treaty says that we ARE obligated to come to the aid of an ally, and if the US decides to support Taiwan in the case of an unambiguous and unjustified attack (by no means assured, mind you - 'strategic ambiguity' counts for something in international relations...) then yes, under the ANZUS treaty we WOULD be obligated to support the US, and by extenstion Taiwain - he also went against gov't policy which has been decidedly pro-US. The American ambassador rightly pointed out his error, and Howard rebuked him. We had a little joke in IR class that Downer sipped a little too much rice wine on his visit.

Of course, Bob Hawke praised Downer, which is just the fucking icing on the cake.

As for Costello - dear GOD no.

I wouldn't want him as PM. But then, I don't think Howard wants him as PM either. What about the Deputy PM, John Anderson I believe? He doesn't seem too objectionable.

Lusankya · Post by **Lusankya** » 2004-09-05 08:15pm

John Anderson is a National though. I mean sure they;re pretty close to the sae party, it's just that one's in Queensland, but I get the feeling that it wouldn't sit too well.

Downer had his chance at leadership (in 95 or 96, I believe) and blew it, though he does seem to be doing a decent job with our foreign relations, particularly in Asia. Sure the government's stance has not been one of integration into Asia and we've been sticking out like a sore thumb because most of us are, you know, white, but the asians respect that more than us trying to pretend to be an asian culture. It's more honest and a goddamn lot more respectful than trying to pass ourselves off as an asian country when our society is western. The pacific islands have come to accept Australia's leadership more in the last year than they have previously, which is partly because we're showing leadership, not to mention my favourite example of us being the only Western nation that North Korea has diplomatic relations with.

And I get the feeling that Howard doesn't like Costello, so he won't retire until there's someone else who can take his place.

"I'm sorry, but you'll just have to go and find some other country to have relations with." - Marge Simpson

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2004-09-05 08:35pm

Let's see then...the only other high profile liberals would be Abbot, Ruddock and Vaile, right? What've their screw-ups been? Do any of them even have enough ambition to try for the leadership?

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-09-05 08:52pm

Archaic` wrote:Let's see then...the only other high profile liberals would be Abbot, Ruddock and Vaile, right? What've their screw-ups been? Do any of them even have enough ambition to try for the leadership?

Just quickly - because I gotta go to a lecture - Tony Abbot is a moron fundie, Phillip Ruddock resembles Palpatine, and I have no clue who Vaile is.

pellaeons_scion · Post by **pellaeons_scion** » 2004-09-05 08:52pm

Bleh, Australian politics. I swear its a system inspired specifically to inspire an amount of apathy in its citizens that is cancerous to a society. None of the candidates seem to have any kind of charisma or drive to specifically do anything but feather their own nests. At some point to my mind it appears that they have forgotten that they are supposed to serve us; the people of this country. Howard has lied through his teeth on a scale which isnt even funny. And still he thinks he's doing the right thing. As for Latham, at the start I had respect for him, but now all the tough-man posturing is wearing thin.

I used to vote democrat till Despoja's antics shot it down in flames. It went from being a credible party to almost being as laughable as Nation Action or some other fringe group. So whats left? Greens I guess, none of the rest seem to have a inkling of a chance to gain real power.

I think the other factor of this all is, is who really understands our political system here. Was anyone specifically taught it at school? From what Ive found the general consensus reveals that much of the population is blissfully unaware of how the process works, and from that ignorance comes a lack of real drive to be interested in the process.

Yeah Im cynical

Lusankya · Post by **Lusankya** » 2004-09-05 10:53pm

I think the other factor of this all is, is who really understands our political system here. Was anyone specifically taught it at school? From what Ive found the general consensus reveals that much of the population is blissfully unaware of how the process works, and from that ignorance comes a lack of real drive to be interested in the process.

I was taught about it in school. Australian Studies is a compulsory unit in the SACE. I wouldn't be taking advantage of these lovely computers that the university provides if I hadn't passed it.

Howard has lied through his teeth on a scale which isnt even funny. And still he thinks he's doing the right thing.

The scariest thing about it, I think is that 90% of people think he lied and only 10% of people care. It kinda makes you think that if any First world country was going to become a dictatorship soon, Australia would be it, simply through sheer apathy of the population.

_____________________
-"You know, he only got 10% of the vote"
-"Meh. He wanted it more."

pellaeons_scion · Post by **pellaeons_scion** » 2004-09-05 10:58pm

was taught about it in school. Australian Studies is a compulsory unit in the SACE. I wouldn't be taking advantage of these lovely computers that the university provides if I hadn't passed it.

I bow to your fortune then:) We had a cursory look at the system in legal studies in year 12, but that was a PES level...hence my class consisted of 4 people. At that time I was there, the Australian Studies program didnt even glance at the political system.

The scariest thing about it, I think is that 90% of people think he lied and only 10% of people care. It kinda makes you think that if any First world country was going to become a dictatorship soon, Australia would be it, simply through sheer apathy of the population.

Pretty much. No one cares, not really. So long as they have beer in the fridge, footy or reality tv, and unharassed by the police/satanlink/ATO etc they dont give a damn. Sad really. Like you said, Dictatorship via apathy. Bread and circuses for the modern age.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-09-05 11:10pm

pellaeons_scion wrote:Pretty much. No one cares, not really. So long as they have beer in the fridge, footy or reality tv, and unharassed by the police/satanlink/ATO etc they dont give a damn. Sad really. Like you said, Dictatorship via apathy. Bread and circuses for the modern age.

Naahhhh... she'll be right, mate.