Politics Australian Federal Election called for early May

[Jethro]

Well this should be interesting with politics in Australia hitting fundamental changes due to the rise of the youth vote that doesn't overly align with party preferences, the Trump factor, and shifting allegiances amongst the minor parties.

Current state of play (Lower House)

Labor 77

Coalition (Liberal and National) 53

Greens 4

Alliance 1

Katter's Australian Party 1

Independents, including TEALS 13

Current polls have Labor ahead on two party preference, we have proportional representation in Australia. However not being taken into consideration is Green preferences are not necessarily going to flow to Labor after the fiasco in the Victorian state election that saw Labor preferences going to the Liberals.

 

[Kevin]

Is Trump having an influence on how elections are shaping up locally in AUS? I know it was being felt in the EU & UK but news over here hasn't covered much if there's been an impact in your part of the world.

Come to think of it, other than a few tidbits about China doing military exercises near Taiwan, there's been little news coming out of Japan & Asia other than Trump's tariff war with China.

Hhmmmmm 🤔

 

[Jethro]

Hard to gauge the impact Trump is going to have at this stage. Dutton, opposition leader, went full Trump mode, and his party declined in the next opinion poll. Though like the U.S opinion polls seem to be a complete waste of time currently, they need a new approach.

Did run across this video that explained the various political parties, though not sure if they covered the TEALs, which admittedly is a loose coalition of former Liberal supporters.

 

[Kevin]

Did run across this video that explained the various political parties, though not sure if they covered the TEALs, which admittedly is a loose coalition of former Liberal supporters.

Thanks, that was a good way to get a quick overview. 👍 With the way the US political parties are set up it's easy to forget that not all democratic countries are forced to reduce everything down to two parties with no realistic way of allowing a third party.

 

[Kevin]

I'm catching up on my news reading and the Australia election results are in there. But, uh, what's with all of the references to election day sausages? 🌭🤔

 

[Jethro]

I'm catching up on my news reading and the Australia election results are in there. But, uh, what's with all of the references to election day sausages? 🌭🤔

That would be a Democracy Sausage Kev. Basically BBQ a sausage with onion, throw onto white bread, and add whatever condiments float your boat - as long as those are tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, or U.S mustard - a sort of mild version of mustard. Funds raised go to charities.

Well the Fed election turned in a shocking result, I'm still getting around the numbers.

The ruling Labor party got a huge swing to them, and increased majorities in both houses of Parliament, (Representatives and Senate). Counting still ongoing but Labor have won over 90 lower house seats and have an additional couple of Senators.

The opposition Liberal/Nat coalition saw their vote plummet and their lower house seats dropping to around 40, the worse result ever for the Coalition. Snigger.

The TEALS had a mixed night, they lost at least one seat, but have picked up a couple more through the former Coalition heartland.

The Greens had a mare, They lost three of their four seats in the lower house, fourth still being counted, but held onto their senate seats. Not the expected result, with no real impact on the three additional seats they thought they might have a chance in.

About everyone else failed to do much with very low support.

In the wash up for the first time ever the opposition leader lost his seat, snigger, but so too did the Greens leader!

Overall the movement has been to the centralized Labor party with both the left and right bleeding votes

The blame game is currently underway

1. Trump effect on Coalition.

2. Nuclear Policy

3. Effective Labor campaign against core Coalition policies, seriously that nuclear one was retarded at the best of times.

4. Australians wanting a safe harbour over the coming global economic meltdown.

5. Labor performing well economically in harsh times.

6. More lies and distortions from the coalition

7. Cost of tertiary education excluding everyone except the wealthy.

The list goes on and on, for mine the Coalition have lost touch with their heartland and no longer represent aspirational Australia.