Election 2004
 

Looks like we're going to the polls on October 9th http://www.cybertavern.net/speakeasy...ilies/wooo.gif

Methinks this is in no small part because it's just before a 2 week sitting of parliament, and Johnny wouldn't want to go through two weeks of alligations about the 'Children Overboard' affair.

Who are you all supporting? I'm a Liberal myself... anyone care enough to post? I hope you do...

I'm going to vote independent. My vote won't make any difference whatsoever, because my seat has and always will be liberal.

Howard has also had very savvy timing. We've just about completed our most successful "away" Olympic games ever, there is a lot of national pride around, interest rates are down, the next round of pre-election sweetener welfare lump sums to families start on Sept 6th (more overtime! I need the money!) and generally the economy is pretty solid.

It should be interesting watching Latham give Howard a run for his money. I'm undecided as to who I'll vote for tho. I was brought up in a Labor household and have voted same most times, but have voted Lib before. I'll see what's on offer.

I think Latham will go after Johnny's handling of the 'refugee' situation. Of course, this will be fruitless as apart from some very misinformed university students who usually don't vote anyway, everyone agrees with the Liberals and little Johnny.

I think it will be a walkover for the Liberals, but who knows... We don't need Labour to come back and send everything back into deficit again. We have the best treasurer in world politics and can ill afford to stir shit up now.

Plus, it's much more fun hangin' shit on the shortarse.

mmm... upcoming election means labor fanboys will be out at the tramstop at uni in the weeks to come.

i think i'm going to make my idea of a 'johnny howard is my homeboy' t-shirt a reality.

considering i've never voted before, and am as political as a spanish peanut, i'm not fussed who gets my vote... dont even know as to which electoral i'm enrolled (where im meant to vote..*shrug*)

You're Geelong right? I'm pretty sure they don't count your votes anyway...

Yay, finally an opportunity to experience the true futility that comes with having to choose between participating in the cruel farce of a two party system, or throwing away your vote in vain protest against John's ridiculous refugee policy and Labour's complete sellout...

oh mah lord i gotta vote...im a voting virgin..first time this year!!

asdfasdffasf

I can't believe you're required by law, to vote. That's just dumb. I'd rather have only 50% participation then a bunch of people just voting for a random person only because they're forced to.

It's a way of ensuring that people actually utilise their human agency...

See, most people will go 'Fuck it, I'm only one person, so my vote doesn't count' so they don't vote and thus if everyone thinks this suddenly there's a problem...

I can't believe the amount of people who seem to think that economic management is a simple thing, that an economy the size of ours can control. I hardly think you have to be brilliant to have low interest rates etc. at the moment...

God, I hate living in a safe liberal seat :mad:

Im not happy with either alternative, but i wont be voting Liberal. I guess the main issues for me are Education, Health Care and this so called oxymoron 'War On Terror'.

anyone scoped out the greens... erm.. "ideas"? i expected strange, but this one takes the cake...

True.. but not everyone will think that.. and then it's the people who really care who will vote. If someone shit gets voted in.. it's because people were lazy.. and they learn that and will vote next time to prevent it happening again..

at least, that's the plan...

Whoever wins, they'll only end up breaking every damm vote catching promise the pricks make. God I hate pollies

I find it amusing how countries like Aus and Canada can call, campaign and hold an election within a couple months but it seems to a year in the states.

...and then another year just to count the votes

Kill 'em all, let GOD sort 'em out I say . . . how any Pollie can run on a ticket of honesty OR trust with a staight face is beyond me . . . I'm voting for the Party Party Party Party (I'll make my own box on the ticket)

S

For starters, Johnny doesn't have a refugee policy becuase we don't have any refugees... unless you mean those trespassers in detention who can't be bothered immagrating the legal way. Here's a tip, stop reading left-wing propoganda/News Ltd publications. Keep them behind bars Johnny and don't say sorry to the Kooris for something that didn't even take place. Vote Liberal.

We have a 2-party system to stop the influence of those who have noone to answer too, corrupting our government and giving 51% of the power to those who represent 2% of the electorate (ie. Democrats).

Did I say 'detention'?

I meant jail.

Speaking of Dr Bob and The Greens....


Dr Bob Brown had some bizarre brushes with fame before returning to Tasmania.

Greens Senator Bob Brown missed becoming one of the great rock ’n’ roll trivia questions by a couple of casualty beds.

The trivia question? Who was the doctor who declared Jimi Hendrix dead?

Brown was a young medical registrar working in the casualty ward of St Mary Abbott’s Hospital in London, when an ambulance screamed to the door at 11.20am on September 18, 1970.

Brown didn’t have the time to pay much attention – he was busily trying to save the life of a man who had been run over by a train. He does remember sudden activity and the tears of a “Swedish girl” who arrived with the ambulance – it was Monika Danneman, Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriend. But it was too late. The 27-year-old African-American hailed as the world’s greatest rock guitarist was already dead – he had choked on his own vomit after a barbiturate overdose.

Source

Ella, never knew that about Bob Brown, but very interesting,

Meridae'n, i gotta take issue with you there soldier. Im not sure what you mean about Johnny not saying sorry for something that never happened. I think we gotta say sorry cause it expresses our sympathy and empathy toward past injustices, which i can assure you did take place. Its not so much as an apology but as a recognition of bad stuff that took place. Futher, if we are gonna move foward with all the problems facing our ab. population (poverty, social probs etc), we gotta face the past before we can face the future. I think its the least we can do personally. Also, i think you gotta remember that we came here as 'boat people' (well, my starving Irish ancestors did) and a whole lot of them (the boat people) are in fact genuine asylum seekers. I dunno, i just think we gotta have a little more compassion toward our fellow human beings.

Er, I can only presume you were being sarcastic...

I am voting Latham, mainly because I am sick of the abundance of crap that has happened since he came into office. I would be happier voting Beazley in over Latham, but you cant have everything.

It doesnt help that the election has been called for the Bathurst weekend either :P

Labor. Australia needs a change. Howard's government is a joke.

You reckon Latham is the man to give us the change, though? He started well enough...tales of him breaking taxi drivers arms, stopping fat cat pollies be paid a life time of super. I think he has some good ideas, but they don't often seem to be fully thought out. Wasn't it just the other day where he promised tax cuts for over $52k people (yay! I'm finally in that bracket and I need a break!) when Simon Crean said his government couldn't guarantee them. I mean....he signed a big bit of cardboard and everything! WTF???

You could have just written "I wont place an argument here because I:
a) ...am obviously mistaken.
b) ...can't find any facts whatsoever to back up my initial statement.
c) ...can't find any unresearched articles written by romantic ignorant detainee sympathisers to plagerise.
d) ...have moved onto the next flavour-of-the-month issue and forgotten what my initial stance was based on.
e) ...have realised that it is illegal to sail into another countries waters unless I am an actual refugee, and fully concur that the only course of action the Australian Government could take was to incarcerate these criminals.

No, I wasn't being sarcastic, and no, the mojority of your fellow countrymen aren't suffering from some form of mass-dillusion when they support the government for their continued stance.

ditto

might give latham a shot

Very well, then I must respond. May I also request that you do not patronise me. I didn't place an argument since I suspected you were simply joking, and had you been, me posting an argument would have been a waste of time, but since you aren't never mind.

So, despite that fact that your allegation that I have no argument holds no water, lets see how you measure up to your own objections:



Here is your initial statement. Unfortunately it is untrue.

We do have refugees, they are detained, and released upon being verfied as having genuine refugee status. So quite clearly Howard has a policy with regard to these refugees, which is to detain them until it is ascertained that they are in fact legitimate asylum seekers, at which point they are released, since it was perfectly legal for them to seek asylum in Australia. Asylum seekers are legal immigrants, so long as they are recognised as legitimate refugees. I am however baffled how you can make this unfounded and erroneous assertion about the complete absence of refugees in Australia, and then contradict yourself in your last post by saying:

In which you clearly recognise that refugees CAN and DO come to Australia LEGALLY, so long as they are refugees.

So not only have you failed to live up to your own expectations with regard to this initial statement, which you have not backed up with facts, something you expected me to do, despite the fact that I made no 'initial statement' in any argumenttive stance, and could offer no 'facts' to back up my observation that you were probably being saracastic, since only a confirmation or refutation by yourself could render the statement to be accurate or not. I must admit I was obviously mistaken, but given the inflammatory and seemingly nonsensical nature of your statement one could forgive me for making such a presumption.
Moreover, you are also guilty of your first accusation, since you are by your own admittance obviously mistaken.



You then failed to back it up with facts, instead offerring this unfounded assertion.


Then, instead of arguing a point, or even making sense, you insult my intelligence and patronise me with an accusation that I read 'left wing propaganda'.

You then go onto a giant tangent and make a blatantly racist remark. The only reason I can see for this is to irritate or anger me. Please refrain from using the word 'Kooris', or for that manner any other derogatory terms for Indigenous Australians.

You then go on to simplify the mind boggling complexities of the dialectical interplay of public consiousness and government structures into a single sentence which is moreover untrue. There are nations (such as Italy) which have democratic assemblies in which no two parties are dominant. I fail to see how having a three party system will corrupt the government, perhaps you could suggest where the connection is. Your statement about 51% of the power being concentrated in the hands of people representing 2% of the electorate must be something to do with balance of power. In some cases, a small insignificant party can hold the balance of power in a two party system, and exercise a good deal of control over the Parliament. If this can occur in a two party system, why are you suggesting it as a reason why we need a two party system, unless you meant something else.

In any case, I actually believe the two party system is the optimal political landscape one can hope for given the current institutions of governance, but that does not mean that I do not resent aspects of its existence.

I'll vote for Latham, simply to get rid of Howard. I don't like or trust any politicians, but as far as I'm concerned Howard is a complete fuckup.

Nice post Kostya, will reply in detail when I get the chance.

My only hope on election day is that the local school where I vote has a sausage sizzle on, that at least is worth turning up for!

Hey everyone, I'm new here so please be nice!

I'm turning 18 in 5 days so I'll have to vote, and my vote is going to Labor. This is mainly because Howard got us into this Iraq mess, I dont really care what the US does as long as Australia doesnt follow them around like a bad smell. Also Latham says he'll lower university fees so that works out for me if I ever decide to go down that path.

But y'know, being young it's still hard to choose someone because they don't seem to have that many policies aimed at young people like me. It all seems to be tax this, intrest rates that and that doesn't mean anything to me since I don't have a job or own a house or borrow any money.

Either way it's still good to be a part of the whole process.

Welcome PotatoCake!

Maybe they do have policies for you. Don't assume that what you see on the 6pm news is the end of anyone's policies. Think about the things you are interested in, and look at the policies of each party to see what they think about that.

Labor's policies can be seen here:
http://www.alp.org.au/

Liberal here:
http://www.liberal.org.au/

I'm sure you can find the sites for any other party you are interested in - google is your friend :)

Welcome, Potatocake...spindles speaks the truth. Do your homework and decide on the party you feel would serve you better.

And remember....there's more than two parties in this election.

Thanks for the welcome Ella. I had a look at those two websites spindles, it's still hard to choose since it's hard to tell if they're just making their parties sound good to win votes and once they're in they wont actually do everything they say. That's politics I guess.

What other parties do we have? There's the Greens and the Democrats then those independants but that's about it isn't it.

Look, it depends on what you want. I'm a middle income earner with kids, so chances are I'm looking for something different than you are.

I'm still swinging right now....

Just write onto the ballot "Latch for citizenship (and PM)". I'll buy you a pot at the celebration get-together.

'The Chaser Decides'.....essential Election 2004 viewing. Comedy gold.

When's that on?

Nevermind, it started tonight. I'm downloading the first episode now.

Do you know.. is it a weekly series? nightly? something-elsely?

Yes the chaser is very witty indeed. I love the Mal award

Latch, check out this site...

The Chaser Decides

And being completely ignorant will get you no where. If you consider being obliged to vote is a hassle, then pack your back and jump on the first boat to another country and see if you are any better off.

Australian politics (as a whole) does not require too much of its citizens in terms of its electoral processes. You register after you are 18yrs old, you advise of any change of address, you vote when and as required for Local/State/Federal elections - tough isn't it. So for a brief moment consider the alternatives.

I don't want to start a war here... but please describe the alternatives? Being free to choose if you want to vote or not?

Sure there are worse situations than being required to vote out there. But there are better ones too (such as being free to choose...)

It has nothing to do with the effort involved in voting/Australian politics. It's about choice.

edit: I was a bit harsh with the "That's just dumb." comment. I'm sure it has some positives to it.

It could be worse, we could pass a law stating someone cannot vote if they are a felon, then the ultra-right wing could start their own party (called, for argument's sake, the Republicans) and throw an entire election...

haha.. the US isn't a great example, obviously.

You don't HAVE to vote. Heaps of my mates never enrolled, so they don't have to vote. We lived in Farrer which was Tim Fischer's hood, hence them not bothering to vote...

Then it's fine. hehe

Ahhh, the system works.

Don't worry about that - not a chance happening.Not a lot, however please help yourself to :
http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/what/faqs/vote_gen.htm
http://australianpolitics.com.au/vot...mpulsory.shtml
http://users.bigpond.net.au/drshrink...y%20voting.htm

And that's my point! Who can be stuffed?!

For god's sake, I advise one government department I've moved, therefore they should all know. Aren't they connected or something? :lol:





Sometimes I just have the urge to turn into a Centrelink customer. I think I've worked there too long. :confused:

You could always pull up a corner in the Valley...

I've checked out those links. Those don't provide alternatives to being required to vote. They talk about Australia's compulsory voting.

That'd pay more that she's getting now perhaps. (lol)

There was no real intent to provide an alternative (and I wasn't going to suggest the US system). However if you read the links, it mentions the pro's and con's of the existing voting system and why compulsory voting is used in Australia.

You don't vote so I couldn't understand why you wanted to whinge about it.

Cause he's a stinkin' seppo.

Did anyone see 'The Chaser Decides'? I nearly pissed myself during the succession express scene.

Yeah I think the Howards guard was going to push him in front of it

Hahaha...yeah, the security dudes looked kinda nervous, didn't they? I thought Latham handled the big prop scene pretty well, too.

I agree. I think I'll leave the country out of shame if Howard wins. I can't believe that anyone can believe any of his whining crap anymore.

Love you too Meri ;)

As for Chaser Ep 2.. just watched it.. good stuff. I liked the Iraq prisoner torcher theme in the background of this show....

Latham's a pretty good guy w/ the Chaser.. he handles them.. but you know he just wants to hit em.

I'm really frustrated in general about the shit they're promising yet may not be able to financially deliver. Seems like the two lads know too well Aussie families are the ones who are open to suggestion right now. So they promise millions....in reality, what is able to be delivered? These are vote winning issues here and I'm concerned they're just not being realistic.

Just in case you swinging voters wanted to know what our candidates looked like with funky hair before voting....check these sites out.... :thumbsup:

Latham

Howard

Thanks but it wont help me, I've already done a postal vote.
Nothing sucks more than trying to find somewhere to park, then lining up with everyone else just to vote on election day.
Now my saturday will be all mine :)

Is it my imagination, or does Latham seem so intent on "bagging" the Howard government that he's neglected to create any credible (& costed) policies of his own?

Thank god the spam will end after tomorrow.. Im so fuckin sick of the bullshit they put in my mailbox and broadcast on tv. </rant>

funny - almost nothing in my mailbox - I do live in one of the country's safest liberal seats (Ruddock's), that Centrebet won't even take bets on the outcome...

Nobody bothering to letter box drop as it is a complete waste of time :(

It's your imagination :)

Just wondering have you noticed it's both ways.... I love that ad where Howard bags out Liverpool council when Lathem was in charge with that bit at the end in tiny writing that says something along the lines of it wasn't Lathems fault

Looks like Howard will get back in, if the opinion polls are anything to go by (and they usually are). If he hands over to Costello, I'm moving to Turkey.

The Australian public only have themselves to blame :(

Another first time Federal voter here (who can forget the all important local government elections?): I get the great privilege of voting against Brendan Nelson then watching him win in a landslide.

As for the Senate I'm really not sure. I like the concept of haveing the senate as a moderating factor but with the disintegration of the Democrats and the stupid dogma of the Greens I really am not sure how to go.

My main problem is that no-one is adressing issues that I believe are truly important:
The increased casualisation of the workforce;
Our continued reliance on coal power without looking at the much more enviromentaly friendly nuclear alternative;
Real improvements in the public education system to make it a viable alternative to private schooling;
The massive amount of money that needs to be put into our health infrastructure to keep it from imploding (medicare gold, give me a break)

Yet another disilusioned voter.

Dude I know its too late and you've probably already voted but those are those main things the greens and democrats are going for.

HAPPY VOTING TODAY PEOPLE!!!

REMEMBER:
VOTE WELL, AND VOTE OFTEN!!!



lets all just hope we don't get, "GOLDEN SHOWERED, BY JOHNNY WINSTON HOWARD", again...

Ah yes....yet another highly memorable 'Chaser Decides' moment there, Bundy...

Better start packing :lol:

I think I'm going to get refugee status in New Zealand.

Don't blame me....I voted Labor!

Me either!

so very depressed!

I'm not allowed to vote - but seriously I think I have more knowlege then most people in Australia.

*shudders at the "This person votes" segement on the Chaser Decides*

good ole johnny back again
i voted for him - well the chick in my electorate
there are a few things i dont like about hime but there are more things i dont like about latham

I cant resist posting this for all of the idiots who voted Liberal because they believed all that Liberal hype about interest rates rising under Labour, read this and weep.

A rate rise was in the wind anyway....and I'll bet it happens before xmas. Doesn't bother me....my house settled today and I'm renting for a while!

from my limited, limited, did i mention limited knowledge of macroeconomics, arent interest rates set by an independent body (reserve bank) anyway? so that it wouldnt matter which government was in power to what they rose/dropped to?

or was i sleeping in lectures again?

Thats the way it works, but amongst the midst of the Liberals slander campaign, they said that under Labour interest rates would rise and the only way to stop it would be through a Liberal govt. Which is kinda amusing since not even a week after the election the interest rates did rise.

Does anyone realise that you don't actually vote for the leader of the party??? Howards seat wasn't as safe as they said;

Votes % Swing
Andrew Wilkie GRN 10,508 16.6 +12.6
Nicole Campbell ALP 18,401 29.0 -1.9
John Winston Howard LIB 31,191 49.2 -3.8

You almost voted for Costello, 2000 votes in it

I can't see anything on the RBA website about a rise - the age article above basically says it is on the cards - not that it has happened.

Even from an economics point of view - a strong economy does not equal low interest rates. In fact the opposite is true - rates are raised to slow down a strong economy, and dropped to make the economy stronger.

It also has so much more to do with global markets/forces than local govt policy.

The whole thing about interest rates was nothing but crap to scare dumb australians.