Well I saw the three independents interviewed tonight, and was impressed by both Tony Windsor, and Rob Oakshott, who both seemed decent guys who will do their best to help provide a stable government, if the right deal can be struck, that satisfies them that they will be fairly representing their electorates.
Bob Katter was very keen to see the three of them joining forces, and working together as a unified group, but I hope that the other two are sensible enough to reject that option, and instead choose to support the ALP in forming a minority government with the two greens members.
That would give them a likely number of 77 seats, enough to run a stable government.

Both Bob Katter, and Tony Windsor, were scathing in their criticisms of the Nationals, and most especially Barnaby Joyce, whom Tony Windsor declared , "A FOOL", and I think the majority of Australians can certainly agree with those comments.

The only way I could see either Windsor or Katter supporting a Coalition Minority would be on the guarantee that Joyce be relegated to coventry in the backseats, and certainly nowhere near any Ministry in a Coalition government.

It was interesting to see the types of people here who applauded his buffoon like behaviour on the channel 9 election panel, and Tony Abbott must be thinking that with friends like that, who needs enemies.

As Rob Oakshott was determined to reinforce, in his interview tonight, he sees this as an opportunity to really show the Australian people just how valuable true representative politics can work for the betterment of both the local communities, and the country as a whole, and I think a lot of people respect that message greatly.

So I hold on to the hope that these two fine independents may choose to broker a deal with the Gillard government to form a new government that may deliver bi-partisan outcomes for the nation that none of us have ever before seen, and I wish them well in that endeavour if they do choose that route.

If they go with Abbott I expect to see them as being significant moderators of any extreme actions he may have wished for, and if anything that would help him to carve a place for himself away from the far right, where he has entrenched himself in the past, so that will be good for both Abbott and the country.

There has been some conjecture, here and elsewhere, as to whether Turnbull might defect and become an Independent...

Here is how his electorate of Wentworth voted yesterday http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2010/guide/went.htm: -

Quote:
longy

You make too many assumptions longy, and only Katters seat, in deepest darkest redneck country is liable to throw up any real protest against siding with a Gillard government, which is another reason not to want him as part of a minority government, but not the primary one, he should just stay as an independent, like he has been, as that role suits him best.

I am guessing you do not spend a lot of time in regional australia if you think they are all far right wing idiots who would rise up against anyone who does not share their right wing views, because the larger majority are not politically motivated at all, and will happily support anyone that will deliver the best outcomes for their communities.

The massive falling off of the Nats in the bush shows that they do not think that a single party alone will deliver those results, and I can see both Oakshott's and Windsor's electorates rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of having their local concerns put front and centre in a new government.

Having a speaker fom the opposition does make things a bit harder in the house, and I don't think Turnbull would wish to take on that role anyway, as The Speaker's role usually goes to a loyal backbencher with little hope of holding a Ministry.

I agree muso, I would not want Katter anywhere near government, let him stay as an independent.
I was really impressed by the other two guys, especially Tony Windsor, he seemed a really decent bloke.

the squirming bullying leftards wriggle around still.

suck it up bullying losers.

what independantt wants to tie themselves to the losing alp ship on the way down ?
a coy that has fallen so far so fast on the results of their own failures and inetpness

judas has backstabbed and not answered any questions.

Tony has risen and been honest.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2010 at 8:43am:


Crikey, SC - sometimes I wonder what planet you right whingers live on....

The standard MO of the born-to-rule Libs is to: dogmatically deceive, bully, demean, divide, conquer and destroy. Hence, they typically create a lot of bad blood along the way. They are also infamous for whinging and chucking mega tantrums when they don't get their way.

Abbott is one of the most cunning and dishonest pollies around. He lets slip occasionally, on his real agenda -and then cleverly gets around his slips by claiming to be 'honest'. To the objective observer (not necessarily moi), Abbott is too smart by halves!

Like Howard, Abbott tries to use a lot of conflicting doublespeak but he lacks the subtlety of Howard, who typically used other people to get the electorate talking about controversial matters.

I repeat: Abbott is an impatient attack-dog pollie - he's cut out to run, compete and fight and he fundamentally lacks the capacity to negotiate, compromise and co-operate.

Some pollies are brilliant agitators - who ought never be elevated to leadership. Abbott is a great agitator - not a great leader! Ironically, he cannot provide harmony and stability in government because he is consistently erratic!

It remains to be seen, however, whether the Independents will give the Abbott Libs a chance to try to govern - if so, it will be a case of giving them enough rope by default...

Equitist wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2010 at 9:05am:


Whatever drugs you are taking, you are taking too many or not enough. Your fantasies get more ridiculous every day.