Australian Federal Election[2010]

SilosighbinSilosighbin Regular
edited August 2010 in Spurious Generalities
Any Aussies out there!?



This will be my first time voting in 2010 and am not really sure who I should vote for. Each party seems to have the same old election promises and purposefully make them ambiguous. For those that don't know I'll post pictures of the proposed Prime Ministers from the 2 main political parties.



Julia%20Gillard.jpg
Julia Gillard - Labor Party


tony-abbott.jpg
Tony Abbott - Liberal Party




I've pretty much figured that each party is dirty and twists their public image to gain support. And for this it makes me uneasy to choose. I'm almost thinking i'll vote 1 for The Greens just to screw the other parties over. There has been stuff on the news where it's expected Greens will gain record support this election, but not sure how they get this info.



Any other Aussies out there who can help?
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Comments

  • CaesarCaesar Regular
    edited July 2010
    The only reason I signed up to vote is so I don't get fined later, so I will probably vote for nobody. I really don't give a fuck about politics, particually given the spectrum of political choice we are afforded. Maybe if there is a party looking to decriminalize drugs I will vote for them, but from the brief amount of time browsing around I can't find any party like that in Australia.
  • woodwood Regular
    edited July 2010
    Voting for the Greens because I agree with a lot of their policies. Both major parties are full of shit. There was a thing I saw today about how they tried to (or succeeded, can't remember) in undeclared surveillance of everyone's internet usage and censored like 90% of the document that said what they were doing, saying it would provoke unnecessary debate or some bullshit.

    No party is perfect, politics is mostly bullshit, but at least the Greens aren't too corrupt.

    Oh, and Caesar, the Greens are like borderline decriminalisation - they go this far at least:
    imprisonment for personal use of illicit drugs, when not associated with other crimes, is not an appropriate solution to drug dependence.
    introduce the regulated use of cannabis for specified medical purposes, such as intractable pain.

    Of course you can trust pollies about as far as you can throw them.
  • SilosighbinSilosighbin Regular
    edited July 2010
    Caesar wrote: »
    The only reason I signed up to vote is so I don't get fined later, so I will probably vote for nobody. I really don't give a fuck about politics, particually given the spectrum of political choice we are afforded. Maybe if there is a party looking to decriminalize drugs I will vote for them, but from the brief amount of time browsing around I can't find any party like that in Australia.



    I don't even know why I'm replying to you, but you mustn't have looked too far. Not that it'll interest you but The Greens are into all that drug decriminalising stuff, not legalising though :(
    - Imprisonment for personal use of illicit drugs, when not associated with other crimes, is not an appropriate solution to drug dependence.
    (From The Greens website)
  • SilosighbinSilosighbin Regular
    edited July 2010
    wood wrote: »
    Voting for the Greens because I agree with a lot of their policies. Both major parties are full of shit. There was a thing I saw today about how they tried to (or succeeded, can't remember) in undeclared surveillance of everyone's internet usage and censored like 90% of the document that said what they were doing, saying it would provoke unnecessary debate or some bullshit.

    No party is perfect, politics is mostly bullshit, but at least the Greens aren't too corrupt.

    Oh, and Caesar, the Greens are like borderline decriminalisation - they go this far at least:





    Of course you can trust pollies about as far as you can throw them.



    rofl We each posted the exact same quote. I didn't even see your post beforehand.
  • woodwood Regular
    edited July 2010
    I don't even know why I'm replying to you, but you mustn't have looked too far. Not that it'll interest you but The Greens are into all that drug decriminalising stuff, not legalising though :(


    (From The Greens website)

    Too slow esé. You snooze you looz in this kind of fast-paced, amphetamine driven political arena.
  • KamuyKamuy Acolyte
    edited July 2010
    caow.png

    You guys have to remember that the best way to use your vote is to keep the worst party out. Fuck labor
  • edited July 2010
    I had to do a little googling to figure out wtf these parties were supposed to be about, but I think I get the idea, now.

    If the ALP is so shitty, why does Australia seem to vote for them so frequently?
  • edited July 2010
    Abbott > Gilltard

    Both need a few tweeks to suit me though. Rudd should've gotten to finish his term, filthy slag.
  • SvenarchySvenarchy Semo-Regulars
    edited July 2010
    Greens have given their preference to Labor so A vote for Greens is basically a vote for Labor if they Greens don't get a majority... I think...

    I am going to vote for the Australian Sex Party because they won't censor our internet. There are other options though.
  • Big baby jesusBig baby jesus Regular
    edited July 2010
    Well my opinion is in on this one, and they are all swine :o
  • SpookSpook Regular
    edited August 2010
  • BigBroBigBro Regular
    edited August 2010
    Attention to all Australian bros:
    Vote independent.

    Gillards' going to filter us and Abbot's an outdated idiot.

    The majority of Democrat policies are relevant to our interests.
    If not democrats, independents or greens will do fine too.
  • KamuyKamuy Acolyte
    edited August 2010
    BigBro wrote: »
    Gillards' going to filter us and Abbot's an outdated idiot.

    Shes gonna try to filter and spy on us but shes also going to bring in the national broadband network.

    Anyway regardless of who wins this election Joe Hockey is most likely going to be the successor of whoever wins.
  • SpookSpook Regular
    edited August 2010
    The Greens are good, but they've got some fucked cunts in there, some real right wing nutjobs. The preference deal with Labour would leave us with the lesser of two evils I guess.

    Also, check out these guys lol. They're a part of some Lyndon LaRouche bullshit;
    http://www.cecaust.com.au/
  • SilosighbinSilosighbin Regular
    edited August 2010
    I'm voting for these guys. They seem to know what they're doing: :D



    lockwood-rupert.jpg

    http://www.cpa.org.au/
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Fuck both major parties. Can't stand them. How long until a younger generation sways the majority and some real changes begin to happen?

    Svenarchy wrote: »
    Greens have given their preference to Labor so A vote for Greens is basically a vote for Labor if they Greens don't get a majority... I think...
    .

    Good to know, as I despise Abbott even more than Gillard.
  • BigBroBigBro Regular
    edited August 2010
    For your knowledge, independants often hold the balance of power in the senate.
    Ruddys carbon tax emission scheme didn't go through because the Greens and a few independents voted against it.
  • MantikoreMantikore Regular
    edited August 2010
    I had to do a little googling to figure out wtf these parties were supposed to be about, but I think I get the idea, now.

    If the ALP is so shitty, why does Australia seem to vote for them so frequently?

    The current ALP government is the first one in quite a while. I wouldnt say people vote for them frequently.


    I live in the second safest Labor seat in the country, so it doesnt matter who i vote for in the house of reps, but in the senate, i would vote LDP, probably the closest thing you can get to a libertarian party.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    BigBro wrote: »
    For your knowledge, independants often hold the balance of power in the senate.
    Ruddys carbon tax emission scheme didn't go through because the Greens and a few independents voted against it.

    I believe the greens blocked it because it wasn't good enough, and were willing to put up an alternate, better solution.
  • BigBroBigBro Regular
    edited August 2010
    Just as an update. I heard on ABC radio the other day the the Greens don't have preference For labor anymore.
    Thoughts?
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    I believe you have a choice when you vote on who your preference goes to? Like...You vote under the line and have to fill out 50+ boxes or something instead of just one. Its a hassle, but eh, I'm still doing it.
  • CaesarCaesar Regular
    edited August 2010
  • KamuyKamuy Acolyte
    edited August 2010
    Whoever you guys vote for DO NOT VOTE GILLARD IN AS PM the consequences will never be the same, not even joking the country will goto shit like you will not believe. Just look at the slut talking jibberish on tv trying to use passive hypnosis techniques, makes me sick.

    Anyway I'm going to go vote tomorrow, at the local early voting center so I dont have to put up with crowds.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Kamuy wrote: »
    Whoever you guys vote for DO NOT VOTE GILLARD IN AS PM the consequences will never be the same, not even joking the country will goto shit like you will not believe. Just look at the slut talking jibberish on tv trying to use passive hypnosis techniques, makes me sick.

    Anyway I'm going to go vote tomorrow, at the local early voting center so I dont have to put up with crowds.

    Your suggesting Abbott will be better?
  • KamuyKamuy Acolyte
    edited August 2010
    FON wrote: »
    Your suggesting Abbott will be better?

    The lesser of two evil's, yes.

    The implications of both labor and the greens being in power are just to crazy to comprehend.
  • SlartibartfastSlartibartfast Global Moderator -__-
    edited August 2010
    by nature i lean towards the left. I'm voting for the greens this time simply because i feel it will be good to give them the balance of power with a Labor government.

    Anyone who thinks Abbott is a good idea is nothing more than a fool.
  • edited August 2010
    Some dumabarsery in this thread. Truth is, whoever gets in, nothing much is gonna change.

    Fuck Australian politics
  • RolfRolf Regular
    edited August 2010
    Some dumabarsery in this thread. Truth is, whoever gets in, nothing much is gonna change.

    Fuck Australian politics

    This, but vote for the Sex Party anyway, states Sir Rolf.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Kamuy wrote: »
    The lesser of two evil's, yes.

    The implications of both labor and the greens being in power are just to crazy to comprehend.

    :facepalm:

    I hope your not serious. I don't even know where to begin...

    But please inform me why the religious, conservative guy who has an ignorant view on the problems of the 21st century (climate change, RU486, broadband, sustainability, no gay love spring to mind instantly...did you see Abbott on Q&A last night?...Was hilarious!) is better than the other, admittedly, crappy party/stupid bitch?... who does share most of his idiocy but not to the full extent.

    That also reminds me...Why are liberal and labour both against gay marriage? If I was gay I would be deeply insulted.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Because it hurts nobody and should be a fundamental part of basic human rights to love/marry whoever you want....At least, I'd hoped the human race had come so far as to get beyond homophobia...Could be I'm wrong.
  • KamuyKamuy Acolyte
    edited August 2010
    FON wrote: »
    :facepalm:

    I hope your not serious. I don't even know where to begin...

    But please inform me why the religious, conservative guy who has an ignorant view on the problems of the 21st century (climate change, RU486, broadband, sustainability, no gay love spring to mind instantly...did you see Abbott on Q&A last night?...Was hilarious!) is better than the other, admittedly, crappy party/stupid bitch?... who does share most of his idiocy but not to the full extent.

    That also reminds me...Why are liberal and labour both against gay marriage? If I was gay I would be deeply insulted.

    To be fair I think Abbott's a fuckwit too, if you think his views are a bit out there take a look at what Bob Brown is proposing ie. abortion up to the point of birth, no access to national parks, no public fishing, shoot up rooms....
    As much as I want the NBN I'm willing to give it up to not to see labor and the greens helping each other pass their schemes.

    The fact that the government has acknowledged same sex partnerships for years but are against making things easier for everyone and just allowing marriages, is rather stupid.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Still, I can understand the Greens reasoning for most of these policies...I couldn't find anything on this banning of public fishing, or national parks though...Care to link me? I probably read over them...I also don't think there is anything wrong with abortion. It should be the individual's choice, not the governments...I'd say most women wouldn't allow an unwanted pregnancy to develop to such a late stage anyway.

    Not that this all matters too much. Greens won't get in either way.

    "ban donations from the tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical industries to political parties."

    God, that would piss the liberals off so fucking hard. Anybody know if labour take donations from those industries?
  • KamuyKamuy Acolyte
    edited August 2010
    FON wrote: »
    Not that this all matters too much. Greens won't get in either way.
    They will have enough numbers to control the balance of power in the senate, they will hold the deciding votes to pass or throwout legislation. So if they help labor
    pass bills, labor will give them things in exchange.



    Link to fishing crap
  • edited August 2010
    I'll probably just draw all over the ballot paper again

    Don't you guys get fined for not voting properly?
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    a reduction in fishery by-catch and habitat damage from both commercial and recreational fishing and other marine activities, and the conservation of key target species.

    That was the closest policy from the Greens site in regard to whats mentioned in that article...I somehow doubt they would actually ban all public fishing...But I suppose I can't put it past any political party to plan such things behind our backs.

    And just another asshole, voting is anonymous. Pretty sure you just get fined if you are enrolled and don't show up.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Greens guy from my area got assaulted for showing up at a fishing protest thing while he tried to explain their stance on the issue...God damn redneck bogans...Also heard another person say 'why ban fishing? no fish has ever gone extinct from fishing before'...Damn people are stupid. If the Greens are pushing for this its because they are trying to PREVENT that ever happening. Looks like it will take a few extinctions before people will even try and understand whats going on...

    I agree it sucks for fisherman though. But hey, like we agree, Greens will never get in for it to happen.

    Other news, I suggest you all look at this link and see exactly where your preferences will be going (http://www.aec.gov.au/election/files/e2010-gvt-nsw.pdf) ...Don't trust anything they say on the websites. For instance, the greens say they are putting their preference of labour ahead of liberal, but what they don't mention is that labour is still their 32nd preference, not their 7th (greens candidates being 1 - 6).

    I've got my little list written out so voting below the line will be quick and easy...Goes something like, greens, labour, sex party, democrats etc ...All the religious, conservative nutjobs are at the bottom with the independents in the middle. Don't see how it will matter after the labour preference though. Unless I'm missing something...
  • RolfRolf Regular
    edited August 2010
    Rolf doesn't like the Greens, they're anti-hunting and anti-fishing, not that anti-hunting matters in the country of Underdownland, considering that all the mainstream parties are gun grabbers.

    Then of course, theres the fact that in the past, the Greens have rather stupidly opposed back burning to combat bushfires. And they're still better than Labor or Liberal... and of course, Family First and Christian Democratic Party, states Rolf.

    Rolf states Underdownland Politics is akin to two corrupt car salesmen trying to sell you the same broken down car.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Every party is fucked in some way. Its a matter of choosing who is less fucked than the other.
  • BigBroBigBro Regular
    edited August 2010
    I do support the majority of labor's policies, with a few exceptions.
    What I find scary is that opinion polls are at 50-50. The election's tomorrow, too. If Abott wins, I will lose all faith in Australia's people.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    BigBro wrote: »
    I do support the majority of labor's policies, with a few exceptions.
    What I find scary is that opinion polls are at 50-50. The election's tomorrow, too. If Abott wins, I will lose all faith in Australia's people.

    Likewise.

    I think the polls are a load of shit personally. I don't know a single person who participates in these so called 'polls'...And I question the integrity of the people that do.

    Don't believe anything the media say to you.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    For those who are interested in how preferential voting actually works I advise you see these links.

    House of reps - http://www.abc.net.au/elections/fede...renceswork.htm

    The senate - http://www.abc.net.au/elections/fede...tingsystem.htm

    Best hope in the house of reps nobody gets a majority before the better off parties get the chance to distribute their preference...It seems fair enough, though it is possible that your vote will attribute to nothing in an election someday...

    The senate...Well, fuck, I don't fully understand how that works yet. Seems your vote becomes worth only a fraction of a vote once preferences start getting distributed.
  • AltindAltind Regular
    edited August 2010
    Don't the Greens also wish to close the Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor?

    Must say though; thank god for election blackout period!
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Agreed! Watching those smarmy pieces of shit on television was making me more ill than I already am.
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Done.

    Voting 84 times below the line wasn't too bad...Had my little list there so it only took a few minutes

    People were asking if they could photocopy it and hand it out to everybody in the line. Hah...Top five choices went something like...

    Greens
    Labour
    Socialist Alliance
    Australian Democrats
    Sex party
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Man its fucking close...Too close to call right now!

    I've prepared a song titled 'Tony Abbott Die' just in case.
  • stresstres Regular
    edited August 2010
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    Hahahahahahahaha....You win man. That's hilarious.

    Hung parliament anyone?
  • stresstres Regular
    edited August 2010
    FON wrote: »
    Hung parliament anyone?

    wut de fook does this mean? :angry: Please summaries for me so I don't have to google :thumbsup:
  • FONFON Regular
    edited August 2010
    That neither party has the seats to govern in their own right....Basically, its up to the 5 'other' parties to confer and decide on who they want to support. This also means they have a lot more say in what goes and what doesn't because both major parties are so evenly matched they can block anything that is proposed, and so it falls onto the greens member and the 4 independents to sway the vote in either one direction or the other....I hope that makes sense. This is my understanding of the term which I was only introduced to in the last 24 hours. Apparently we had a 'hung parliament' back in 1940.

    As it stands they are predicting liberal with 73 seats, labor with 72 and 5 to the other parties...I think its five anyway. So the coalition will hold the slight advantage but will be held thoroughly in check by the 5 other parties. The downside to this is that its possible not much will get done in the next 3 years...Or so some people are fearing. Though I think it has the possibility to be a good thing seeing as my opinion is that both major parties suck at the moment.
  • MantikoreMantikore Regular
    edited August 2010
    FON wrote: »
    Though I think it has the possibility to be a good thing seeing as my opinion is that both major parties suck at the moment.

    Im on this boat too. Too many shit bills are being proposed at the moment from both sides IMO. Now i normally dont like the Greens very much, but i think they and the independents will be quite useful in this term.

    however, the number of greens in the senate is scary.
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