I think the Lib supporters here are getting a bit carried away with themselves.
This election is still to close to call but here are some facts

Both parties as of this morning have 71 seats according to the AEC, 3 independents, 1 GREEN and 1 GREEN independent, plus 4 undecided.
The four undecided are Labor seats,with postal votes Labor should pick up at least 2 of them, that will give them 73 seats I think.
The GREENS have already said they'll back Labor, thats 74 seats and Wilkie is more likely to back Labor than the coalition thats 75 seats and I think as high as Labor can go.
On the other hand the coalition have 71 could pick up 2 of the undecided thats 73.
It all comes down to what the 3 independents do, Katter and Windsor hate the Nationals, and are not likely to work with Truss or Joyce and Oakshot likes Labors broadband plan, if Labor get to 75 the 3 independents might be happy to let Labor govern rather than give the coalition balance of power.
All of that said, no matter who forms government we'll be back at the polling booths within 6 months as I dont think either party can govern like this.


Quote:

Two of the independents whose vote appears crucial to forming a minority government have expressed loathing for Barnaby Joyce, one of the Coalition's most prominent frontbenchers. While many election analysts suggest the independents, all former Nationals MPs, are more likely to side with the Coalition, Bob Katter and Tony Windsor have derided Mr Joyce; with one calling him a fool and the other labelling him a "piece of incredible unfortunateness.'' Mr Katter said he had not yet decided where his support would go, but pointed to continuing issues with former Nationals colleagues - and concerns over the Coalition's broadband policy

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/key-independents-berate-fool-barnaby-joyce-20100822-13aen.html?autostart=1

Hang On. That sounds like a really good Labor campaign slogan for next time.

Hang On. There needs to be a huge public rally, demonstration and en masse march on Parliament House Canberra as soon as possible to force these people out of government if they will not willingly go.
They have been decimated at the polls, the people have spoken, they clearly do NOT want them there because they have suffered so many losses of seats and now cannot actually form a majority government.
Why do these people insist they have a right to govern when the electorate has spoken like this.
Bring on the march.

skippy. wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 12:51pm:

I think the Lib supporters here are getting a bit carried away with themselves. This election is still to close to call but here are some facts Both parties as of this morning have 71 seats according to the AEC, 3 independents, 1 GREEN and 1 GREEN independent, plus 4 undecided. The four undecided are Labor seats,with postal votes Labor should pick up at least 2 of them, that will give them 73 seats I think. The GREENS have already said they'll back Labor, thats 74 seats and Wilkie is more likely to back Labor than the coalition thats 75 seats and I think as high as Labor can go. On the other hand the coalition have 71 could pick up 2 of the undecided thats 73. It all comes down to what the 3 independents do, Katter and Windsor hate the Nationals, and are not likely to work with Truss or Joyce and Oakshot likes Labors broadband plan, if Labor get to 75 the 3 independents might be happy to let Labor govern rather than give the coalition balance of power. All of that said, no matter who forms government we'll be back at the polling booths within 6 months as I dont think either party can govern like this. Quote: Two of the independents whose vote appears crucial to forming a minority government have expressed loathing for Barnaby Joyce, one of the Coalition's most prominent frontbenchers. While many election analysts suggest the independents, all former Nationals MPs, are more likely to side with the Coalition, Bob Katter and Tony Windsor have derided Mr Joyce; with one calling him a fool and the other labelling him a "piece of incredible unfortunateness.'' Mr Katter said he had not yet decided where his support would go, but pointed to continuing issues with former Nationals colleagues - and concerns over the Coalition's broadband policy

The reality is the independents will back what ever party agrees to their demands regardless of personal clashes.  The went into government to achieve their agenda, not to let that agenda be clouded by personal disagreements.

So which of the two parties will roll over?

Quote:

the people have spoken, they clearly do NOT want them there because they have suffered so many losses of seats and now cannot actually form a majority government.

Not true, clearly half the people do want them there, thats why they voted Labor or GREENS and preferenced Labor.
The coalition have no more a mandate than Labor do.
This thread isn't an argument, its the facts as they stand, as for people marching on parliament house, you could use the same scenario if Abbott forms government.
The only thing certain is that NO ONE has won, and I think thats a bad thing as no matter who forms a government it wont last six months, in fact Windsor has said that if an agreement can not be reached we'll have to go back to the polls.

Quote:

So which of the two parties will roll over?

BOTH will try.
Katter said this morning that Abbott already called him at 1.15 last night, dont think  the Libs will play some moral high ground, they'll do what ever it takes,just like Labor.

In this thread; skip tries desperately to cling on to vain hope.

You only have to look at the primary vote to see the majority of Australians want labor out and the coalition in

dry your tears princess

this Labor government has had three years, a healthy financial situation at the start which is now a disaster, they have lost elected representatives in droves in this election. I think the High Court should be looking very closely at their performance in this election and what that says about the serious collapse of public support for them. It does not demonstrate public confidence in their abilities and for their right to retain government when they have suffered a huge rebuff as this from a high starting platform pre election. They need to get out or be put out by force if necessary. Get the well-to-do communist squanderers out.

I sincerely hope, also, that there has been no "binning" of votes deemed "informal" at polling booths across the country in this election. In a knife-edge result like this, the courts should decide what is "informal" or not under legislation and under apparent voter intention on the ballot paper. They can be critical. If any are missing I would think that is a matter of serious concern and would warrant an investigation across all seats.

shampain socialist wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:16pm:

this Labor government has had three years, a health financial situation at the start which is now a disaster, they have lost elected representatives in droves in this election. I think the High Court should be looking very closely at their performance in this election and what that says about the serious collapse of public support for them. It does not demonstrate public confidence in their abilities and for their right to retain government when they have suffered a huge rebuff as this from a high starting platform pre election. They need to get out or be put out by force if necessary. Get the communists out. I sincerely hope, also, that there has been no "binning" of votes deemed "informal" at polling booths across the country in this election. In a knife-edge result like this, the courts should decide what is "informal" or not under legislation and under apparent voter intention on the ballot paper. They can be critical. If any are missing I would think that is a matter of serious concern.

I worked for the AEC yesterday as a declaration officer, and let me tell you we had 5% spoiled ballots.
The booth I worked in was won by the GREENS and the seat won by Labor, but let me tell you, the National party scrutineers checked every vote counted and any we deemed "spoiled" they checked as well.
ALL OF THOSE BALLOTS ARE SENT BACK to the AEC,even the spoiled ones, so I wouldn't worry about any "missing".

The 3 independants wil lsupport the coalition. That is a dead-set certainty. They will ask for and receive huge benfits for their electorates from both parties but the real difference is their electorates. these are three of the most stridently anti-labor seats in the country. in one of them labor received a massive 8% of the vote!! the best result in any of them was 20%. Their electorates will brun down their offices if they put labor in for another term and they know it. All the coalition needs to do is 1) tape over banaby joyces mouth 2) offer the inds massive infrastructure improvements for their electorates and 3) point out that their electorates might murder them if they try anything stupid.

This leaves the coalition lookign for 2 remaining seats. thats not hard. the worst result is an unshakable 7575 split which wil mean a new election almost immediately.

The most likely scenario by far is a 77/73 split to the coalition (including the greens and independants)

I wouldn't trust you anywhere near a ballot paper

The GREENS have already said they are going to back LABOR.

Yes, and I don't think you are the last arbiters of whether something is "spoiled" or not. Are you.
Don't forget that.

Cyberman wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:25pm:

I wouldn't trust you anywhere near a ballot paper

LOL thats why I didn't say anything last week about working yesterday, I suspected a few may have though I was somewhat too biased. ;D ;D ;D

shampain socialist wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:27pm:

Yes, and I don't think you are the last arbiters of whether something is "spoiled" or not. Are you. Don't forget that.

So you think the AEC are corrupt?

shampain socialist wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:16pm:

this Labor government has had three years, a healthy financial situation at the start which is now a disaster, they have lost elected representatives in droves in this election. I think the High Court should be looking very closely at their performance in this election and what that says about the serious collapse of public support for them. It does not demonstrate public confidence in their abilities and for their right to retain government when they have suffered a huge rebuff as this from a high starting platform pre election. They need to get out or be put out by force if necessary. Get the well-to-do communist squanderers out. I sincerely hope, also, that there has been no "binning" of votes deemed "informal" at polling booths across the country in this election. In a knife-edge result like this, the courts should decide what is "informal" or not under legislation and under apparent voter intention on the ballot paper. They can be critical. If any are missing I would think that is a matter of serious concern and would warrant an investigation across all seats.

Australia is blessed with possibly the most open and corruption-free electoral system in the world. Recounts and court challenges do occur but very few are successful and there is rarely any experience of anything shonky. Compare our experience to the american knife-edge election in 2000. at least we COUNT our votes!

skippy. wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:27pm:

The GREENS have already said they are going to back LABOR.

not really a surprise to anyone. The greens are just the alternative labor party. their vote for labor is automatic and irrelevant. labor and greens might as well form a coalition and get past the silliness of being supposed competitors.

there would be more than a few here with long enough memories to think you might have worked at a polling booth yesterday. You certainly do seem to be biased, and as I recall you saying here previously, that in the last election in which you worked as a polling official you said  informal votes were actually "binned"
Did you say that? were they? or was that just left wing arrogance talking again?, or just bullshit. It's one of those.

shampain socialist wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:31pm:

there would be more than a few here with long enough memories to think you might have worked at a polling booth yesterday. You certainly do seem to be biased, and as I recall you saying here previously, that in the last election in which you worked as a polling official you said you actually "binned" informal votes. Did you, or was that just left wing arrogance talking again?, or just bullshit. It's one of those.

Thats a lie, supply the proof of where I said it?

I'm asking you whether you said that. Did you?

shampain socialist wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:34pm:

I'm asking you whether you said that. Did you?

NO

Ok.

I think the AEC might need an email asking them to recheck the ballots in your area for signs of skullduggery

I realise you will have to go against your innate nature, but try to stop being so offensive Cyberman, I have just about had it with you, and if you do not stop being deliberately offensive you will be looking at a very long timeout.
People can have differing political views without deserving to have their integrity and honesty questioned for absolutely no reason, other than the fact that you disagree with them.

The most interesting thing about this thread is that for Abbott to have a chance of winning over the former Nat independents, then Barnaby Joyce will need to be suitably chastised, so he can kiss goodbye to any ministerial aspirations he may have held.

Good job too, the man is about as low class a politician as we are unfortunate enough to have to endure.

Petulant, abusive, insulting, and not too bright, he did a great job of sabotaging his own career, as well as making Abbotts job that much tougher, with his injudicious pronouncements last night, which appealed to only the lowest base element of the electorate, as we saw from who supported him here this morning.

mozzaok wrote on Aug 22^nd, 2010 at 1:46pm:

I realise you will have to go against your innate nature, but try to stop being so offensive Cyberman, I have just about had it with you, and if you do not stop being deliberately offensive you will be looking at a very long timeout. People can have differing political views without deserving to have their integrity and honesty questioned for absolutely no reason, other than the fact that you disagree with them.

Skip said himself that he hid the fact he was working in a booth which suggests that maybe something untoward had occured.

But feel free to display your inherent leftard bias once again. It's becoming a daily habit for you