Talk Elections

Forum Community => Mock Parliament => Topic started by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 10, 2013, 05:17:03 PM



Title: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 10, 2013, 05:17:03 PM
LNP members register, discuss and socialize here.

The LNP is the major centre-right party in this game (so far) and is a merger of the Liberal Party and the more Conservative National Party. The party is united behind a fiscally responsible and right-wing economic policy but members differ on social issues with both a Conservative wing and a Liberal wing.     



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Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 10, 2013, 05:20:40 PM
()

Name: Roger Erenford
Age: 46
Ideology: Pragmatic centrist Conservative
Place of Birth: Darwin, NT
Occupation: Cattle farmer
Family: Wife Maria (44) and three sons, David (22), Victor (19) and Connor (18)

Brief Biography: Roger grew up on a family farm in the Northern Territory, taking an early interest in both religion and politics. He joined the Young Nationals and were an active member until he moved away to Brisbane to go to University where he studied economics. However before he could graduate, his father Brandon passed away and Roger choose to return back home to take over the family farm. He married local girl and teacher at a Christian school Maria Evans and started a family. Once back in NT he was persuaded to get into politics again and advanced through the party until becoming an MP at age 35. His pragmatic and results focused style soon gave him many friends in both his party and on the other side of the political aisle. He was a key supporter in the merging of the Liberal and National parties.      

Other: Though a devoted Christian with Conservative values, he has had a change on LGBT-issues since his youngest son Connor came out as gay. He has ambitions to rise through the party ranks and eventually become leader.

Division: Maranoa


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 11, 2013, 11:50:34 AM
()
Maxine Bartlett MP on the cover of Women's Weekly

Name: Maxine Bartlett
Age: 42
Ideology: "Small-l" Liberal
Place of Birth: Wellington Point, Queensland
Occupation: Barrister and Solicitor
Family: Ex-husband Peter Heweson (45), son Marcus (15), and daughter Isabella (11)

Brief Biography: Maxine was born in an upper middle-class family in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Wellington Point, as the last of eleven children. Her father was a local physician, while her mother was a housewife. She attended Australian National University, where she received both her Bachelor and Master's degrees in law. Active in the College Liberal Club, she eventually rose to become its President. In 1994, Maxine returned to Queensland, taking a position with the prominent law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques, where she worked for the next decade. During this time, she married businessman Peter Heweson, with whom she had two children. The couple divorced after eight years of marriage in 2005 after he admitted to having a child out of wedlock.

In 2004, she narrowly won a bitter pre-selection battle for the seat of Bowman over a prominent state MP, and won the seat with a 7.9% margin in the election. Despite suffering a huge swing which left her seat with 0.4% majority in 2007, Maxine currently holds the seat with a comfortable 60.5% of the two-party-preferred vote. She has risen quickly through LNP ranks, and is considered one of the best parliamentary performers on either side of the aisle. Maxine frequently appears on television, as she's considered one of the better communicators in the party. She has been popular among her fellow Queensland and centrist LNP MPs and rank-and-file.

Other: Maxine, a non-practicing Anglican, has been one of the more socially liberal members of the party. Formerly active in the Republican movement, she supports same-sex marriage and has expressed support for an emissions trading scheme. On economic issues, she has traditionally been a "dry", or Thatcherite. She splits her time between Canberra and her Queensland electorate, where she has a home in Cornubia. Maxine's hobbies include tennis, snorkeling, and scuba-diving. Despite having dated on-and-off since her divorce, Maxine is currently single.

Division: Bowman, Queensland



Swedish Cheese, do you want to have a vote on renaming the party? Should we have an election for each position on the frontbench, or elect the leader and then have him select its members?


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 11, 2013, 02:54:44 PM
()
Name: Ian Alexander Harlow
Age: 39
Ideology: Libertarian
Place of Birth: Milton, New South Wales.
Occupation: Journalist.
Division: Gilmore.
Family: Wife Adrianna (31), two daughters Katherine (6), and Elizabeth (2).
Brief Biography: Ian Harlow was born in the town of Milton, in New South Wales to Steven Harlow (1944-) and Joyce Harlow (1950-). Attended the University of Newcastle and was a political correspondent for The Australian (1989-2003) and was elected to parliament as a member of the Liberal-National Party in 2007. Harlow is a relatively quiet MP who is not frequently on news broadcasts, but is a relatively decent orator and tries to not be “just another backbencher” (as he puts it). He met his wife, a native of Greece, while vactioning in Italy with his brother, and married her a year later. Adrianna Harlow is a nurse. He has two daughters.
Other: Mr. Harlow is a proponent of the Austrian School of Economics and supports decriminalizing cannabis, legalizing same sex marriage, and a more withdrawn foreign policy centered around Australian interests in the Pacific.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 11, 2013, 04:10:04 PM
OOC: Should we vote on a possible renaming of the party (I personally like the current one) and how the frontbench is selected, as the Labor Party is doing?


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 11, 2013, 04:46:41 PM
I'm only for changing the name if the ALP does so as well. It doesn't need to be something radically different. For example, the National Liberal Alliance could suffice.

BTW, Sanchez, what electorate are you in? I'm guessing something in NSW, so you should probably pick one from the list here- Link (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=136183.msg3791846#msg3791846).




Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 11, 2013, 09:02:19 PM
I took the constituency of Gilmore.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 13, 2013, 12:43:12 AM
()

Name: Matthew Collins
Age: 36
Ideology: Liberal
Place of Birth: Vaucluse, NSW
Constituency: Wentworth
Occupation: Media proprieter
Family: Wife Melissa (32)
Brief Biography: Heir to his family's media empire, Collins took control of the company at the young age of 27 when his father decided to retire in order to spend more time with his mother. Despite earning the ire of many Liberal interest groups and old monied families, perhaps most notably, Edward Lloyd, with his companies' propensity to present a message reflective of Collins' beliefs (and his father's before)- including secularism and environmentalism, with mining and oil corporations being frequent targets, Collins' advocacy for a new direction made a popular rising star for the moderate and socially progressive elements of the Liberal National Party. He is in his second term and his ties to the largest media company in the country has enabled him to rise quickly within the party's caucus despite some high-profile disagreements with the party establishment.
Other: One of the youngest members of Parliament, Collins and his wife frequently appear at celebrity events, on television and magazine covers and a large media presence- likely due to Collins' own media prominence before being elected. Detractors have referred to Collins as an "attention whore".

In spite of accusations that the Collins family's media corporation has used their platform to push a political agenda, the company has remained nonpartisan for nearly all purposes. Collins' brands hold the most news viewership on television and the largest circulation for newspapers as well.

Collins is an avid fan of the outdoors and frequently enjoys hiking and enjoying the beauty of the ocean.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 13, 2013, 02:41:56 AM
I might do a little role-playing.

(Where do we claim our electoral division?  I'd like to take Curtin).

()

(My apologies to Rep. Scott Barrett, R-NJ)

Name: Martin Oakleigh
Age: 58
Ideology: Populist
Place of Birth: Fremantle, WA
Occupation: Syndicated columnist, radio talk show host, writes an investment newsletter.
Family: wife Emilie (56), 5 children aged 16-29

Brief Biography: The son of a fisherman, Oakleigh first achieved prominence in 1976, when, as President of the University of Western Australia Young Liberals, he responded to a campus demonstration "against racism, imperialism, and heterosexism" by provoking a near-riot in leading a group of students and several hundred hard-hatted workers he had recruited from a nearby construction site in a chant of "COMMIE FAGS WHO BURN THE FLAG; PUT 'EM ALL IN BODY BAGS!"  Thrown out of university and put on trial for incitement, a media and political circus developed as demonstrators screaming his memorable slogan gathered in the thousands outside the courthouse daily before the jury returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict.  He found work immediately after the election as a syndicated columnist and host of a local radio talk show, known for his caustic wit and strongly-held viewpoints.  He was elected to Parliament at the age of 28 in a 1981 by-election and has been returned by a strong majority ever since.

In Parliament, Oakleigh has been known for his theatrics, assigning unflattering nicknames to rival parliamentarians, such as "The Dullard" or "Flipsy."  When a judge granted an injunction on defamation grounds against the media publishing the details of a sex scandal against a prominent opposition frontbencher in 2005, Oakleigh unfurled a large banner in Parliament reading "WHY DIDN'T YOU PAY THE HOOKER?"  Oakleigh is generally known for his staunch conservatism, most notably railing against "boat people" and political correctness in his columns and speeches, as well as having opposed the government's gun measures in 1997.  However, he has been known to adopt economically populist positions as well, distancing himself from his own party's "Fightback!" manifesto in 1993, and consistently supporting generous increases in old age pensions, and he has been endorsed on occasion by union locals in his division.  He surprised many observers when he called for the repeal of sodomy laws in 1978 - not a mainstream position in Western Australia at the time, but he remains an opponent of same-sex marriage.  He did apologize to Perth's LGBT community in 2004 for his "overexuberance in my college days."  He opposed Australia's involvement in the Iraq War beginning in 2003 but frequently denounced "traitors" who accused Australian soldiers of committing war crimes.  He is one of the few prominent advocates of returning Australia to the gold standard, a position which would aid the mining industry of Western Australia.  Polls have shown on several occasions that many Liberal-Nationals would like for him to be their leader, and also that a hypothetical new party led by him could capture a significant portion of the right-wing and social conservative vote.

Other: Oakleigh is an avid birdwatcher, and has written several well-regarded books on the subject.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends on July 13, 2013, 11:54:04 AM
Name: Donald Richards
Age: 43
Ideology: Conservative
Division: Sturt
Place of Birth: Glen Osmond, SA
Occupation: Accountant
Family: Wife Amanda (42), 4 children aged 14, 12, 9 and 6.

Brief Biography: Richards was born to a wealthy family in Adelaide's eastern suburbs, and started his career on weekends and holidays while still in high school, working in the family business. After obtaining a commerce degree from the University of Adelaide, where he met his future wife Amanda, he continued to work in the family business, namely a highly renowned accounting firm. Elected into Parliament at the age of 37, Richards has become known for his numerous profound statements on the issues, particularly life issues, marriage, defense (notable for opposing the war in Iraq, seeing it as too costly and un-Christian), the economy, and the decaying moral fibre of Australia.

Other: Richards enjoys fishing, camping, golfing, volunteering at his local Anglican church, and computer programming, but most of all, spending time with his family.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 13, 2013, 04:01:19 PM
Hey this thread is starting to live up nicely. :)
So I guess when we now actually has some members in the party (besides me) we should start thinking about leadership/frontbench selection.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 13, 2013, 09:56:51 PM
I nominate Mr. Oakleigh for the leadership of our party.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 13, 2013, 10:09:31 PM
I nominate Ms Bartlett.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 13, 2013, 10:15:01 PM

Nomination seconded. (shameless self promotion)

Should we hold a ballot for the deputy leadership, or should that be an issue we consider as part of how the frontbench is elected?

We should probably consider the following question like the ALP did.

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[  X  ] Appointed by Party Leader
[   ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 13, 2013, 10:25:14 PM
How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

I nominate Mr. Oakleigh for the leadership of our party.

Seconded.  (Shameful self-promotion.  Shameful!)


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 13, 2013, 10:40:02 PM
Appointment by leadership


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Del Tachi on July 13, 2013, 11:51:13 PM
()

Name: Francis Jordan
Age: 52
Ideology: Moderately Conservative
Place of Birth: Katanning, WA
Constituency: O'Connor
Occupation: Rancher/business owner
Family: Wife Elisabeth (45); Sons Anthony (21), Connor (18); Daughter Helen (20)
Brief Biography: Jordan was born into a ranching family in the south of Western Australia.  He never attended university, as he focused his occupational efforts on supporting his family's ranch.  As a way to supplement his family's income, he started his own leather goods company when he was 27.  His company is now a leading Australian manufacturer of fine leather, and his goods have been featured in boutiques in Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Paris,and New York.  In addition, his family's ranch is one of the largest in WA and continues to be a vital part of his financial success.  His successful enterprises have allowed him to become moderately wealthy, and his net worth is estimated at around 12 million USD.  His net worth is supplemented by his investments, which include large real estate holdings in his constituency.   
Other: Jordan has developed a reputation as a tenacious and sometimes Machiavellian MP.  He is seen a personally ambitious and aspires to the frontbench.  His business connections make him especially sympathetic to the agriculture and corporate lobbies.  He is an unabashed supporter of free-market capitalism, and has been known to be one of the most socially conservative MPs.  However, his pro-capitalism beliefs are somewhat tempered by his support of government largesse in promoting and subsidizing industry.  He is an ardent member of the Churches of Christ of Australia, making him one of the few Evangelicals in Parliament.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Del Tachi on July 13, 2013, 11:55:21 PM

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 14, 2013, 06:53:10 AM
How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

Though I think Deputy leader should be an elected position.

 


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Platypus on July 14, 2013, 07:49:13 AM
Maranoa's a good fit, but I believe it is a constitutional requirement that he lives in the same state as his seat...

...but I can't remember if that's the US or Australian constitution :P


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 14, 2013, 08:12:56 AM
Maranoa's a good fit, but I believe it is a constitutional requirement that he lives in the same state as his seat...

...but I can't remember if that's the US or Australian constitution :P

I couldn't find anything about it in the Australian constitution:

Quote
Until the Parliament otherwise provides, the qualifications of a member of the House of Representatives shall be as follows:

(i) he must be of the full age of twenty-one years, and must be an elector entitled to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives, or a person qualified to become such elector, and must have been for three years at the least a resident within the limits of the Commonwealth as existing at the time when he is chosen;

(ii) he must be a subject of the Queen, either natural-born or for at least five years naturalized under a law of the United Kingdom, or of a Colony which has become or becomes a State, or of the Commonwealth, or of a State.

So I'm gonna keep my seat. :P


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 14, 2013, 08:49:56 AM
OOC: Former PM Julia Gillard, for example, lives in Altona , which is actually in the neighboring electorate of Gellibrand, instead of her division, Lalor. And while Barnaby Joyce (the future National Leader) is contesting the NSW Division of New England, I believe he still lives in in neighboring Maranoa (QLD). So Swedish Cheese looks like he's in the clear.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Platypus on July 14, 2013, 09:11:42 AM
Altona was in Lalor when she was first elected to the seat, though:

http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2001/files/2001/l/Lalor.pdf


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 14, 2013, 05:41:57 PM
OOC: I'll be away working, with-out any internet access, for the next five days. Just so you know I haven't given up on this already when I disappear for a bit.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 14, 2013, 07:37:59 PM
How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[X] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 14, 2013, 08:44:30 PM
Since we have to have a leader elected soon ("election" is scheduled for next weekend, and we need to formulate policies and select a frontbench between then and now), I would suggest that Talleyrand and myself both write a speech of 1000 words or less in the next 24 hours and then we have a leadership ballot.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 14, 2013, 08:50:51 PM
Since we have to have a leader elected soon ("election" is scheduled for next weekend, and we need to formulate policies and select a frontbench between then and now), I would suggest that Talleyrand and myself both write a speech of 1000 words or less in the next 24 hours and then we have a leadership ballot.

Sounds like a great idea!


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 15, 2013, 12:00:00 AM
I'm afraid I went over my own 1000-word limit, sorry!

...

()

There's a certain canard that Labor and the left-wing media wants you to believe – I'm sure you've heard it – “The Coalition doesn't have any big ideas of it's own!  All they do is oppose, oppose, oppose.”  Now, I and most sensible people reject the notion that there is anything wrong with opposing, particularly when we are serving as the opposition to the most radical government in our nation's history.  And when they say the phrase “big ideas,” what they mean is more big government, big spending, big tax grabs, big handouts, big debt, big prices, and big immigration.  But, I have to admit, there's an element of truth to every criticism.  We talk a lot about what we are against, but too little about what we are for.  And so our answer is that the big idea is:  Think small.

I talked to a woman the other day, who told me that this government makes her afraid for this country and afraid for her children.  But she told me that she doesn't trust the Coalition either.  “You're for big business.  You're for the big banks.  You stand up for the big guy.  You don't stand up for the little guy.”  And what I said to her is, “You're right!”  We don't stand up for the little guy.  We are recklessly leaving acres and acres of ground in the vital center for Labor to claim without articulating a positive agenda of our own.  Working Australians don't think we stand for them even as they are the ones who have suffered the most under this government.

So, what do I mean by “think small?”  I mean that big business and big government are doing well enough on their own.  We Australians have never cottoned to rule by distant and impersonal bureaucracies.  I mean to say that we are wholly in favor of the moral values that unite us as Australians.  I mean to say that we are and ought to be the party of the ties that bind us; our communities, and our churches and temples, and our shared cultural inheritance.  We are the party of mothers and fathers and mom-and-pop shops.  We are the party of small towns and lively neighborhoods.  We are the party of farmers, and fishermen like my father, and firm handshakes.  We are not the party of a free lunch, but we are the party of a fair shot for our children.

And we have failed our children in so many different ways.  We have stood idly by as they've been taught that it is not okay to be proud to be an Australian; that patriotism and duty to our country is hateful, and evil.  I am not claiming that there are no black marks or unfortunate events in our history.  But my grandfathers did not fight on the shores of Gallipoli for today's coddled, spoon-fed patricians to yammer on about what awful racists they were.  We must draw a line in the sand and say that we are proud to be Australian, and that there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  Can Labor honestly say the same?

That some among us don't respect our history is only a symptom, not a cause, of a fundamental lack of respect for the people Labor once claimed to champion.  How can you say that you're on the side of the struggling middle when one of the first acts of your government is to break your promise on boat people?  Labor said that they would continue our successful policy:  Turn the boats back!  We saw how long that lasted.  It is unconscionable that at least 45,000 illegal migrants have been let into this country while so many Australians are out of work and hospitals and schools face budget cuts.  How is that standing up for the little guy?  The policy is simple and straightforward; asylum seekers must apply through the legal process, they must be in legitimate danger of persecution in their home countries, and they must pledge to respect our laws and our culture, including the rights of women and sexual minorities and our rights to free expression, free elections, and freedom of religion.  One strike, you're out.

And this is not Labor's only broken promise.  Labor's carbon tax, a tax they promised up and down they would not impose, will squeeze Australian families to the tune of $500 a year.  It is an unconscionable imposition on working Australians when electricity costs have gone up 90% over the course of this government.  Utilities:  Up 77%.  Water and sewerage:  Up 64%.  Natural gas – which is in more abundant supply than ever before – up 60%.  No wonder our mining, coal, and energy industries are already shedding thousands of jobs.  No wonder Ford says they're leaving despite the hundreds of millions Labor wasted on bribing them to stay.  With the carbon tax, they lose thousands on every car they make.  Labor says that it picks and chooses businesses and people and then spends billions on “compensating” them for the tax.  What, then, is the purpose of the tax in the first place?  Besides the fact that it allows them to create a bureaucracy to take the money and then send it back out again, it lets them pick and choose which politically-connected fat cats get a yearly payday from the government.  Every big business simply lobbies for more “compensation,” while small businesses and struggling families are left behind.  Giving out billions to politically-connected cronies while cutting education by $2.3 billion and hospitals by $1.6 billion makes not a whiff of sense.

Why is all this?  It is not even to co-opt big business, although that is a contributing factor.  It is because Labor has decided that the lives and the livelihood of those they supposedly stand for; our miners, our factory workers, are less important to them than meaningless gestures to the latest elite fad.  The ability of working families to put food on their tables and have the dignity and security of stable employment is less important than giving fuzzy feelings to fuzzy-headed yuppie fusses.  Even if we were to suppose that everything that the shrieking warmist crowd is true – and I believe Sydney was supposed to be underwater by now – the insane policies of this government still make no sense.  The emissions of Australia are absolutely dwarfed by countries with no emissions controls, like the United States, China, India, and Russia.  Even if we could flip a magic switch and not emit another ounce of carbon in this country, it would not matter one iota in the grand scheme of things.  This is what adds insult to industry – it is purely a feel-good policy for the most comfortable among us, and one that has real consequences for real Australian families.

This is why I am asking for your support to be leader of the Liberal-Nationals.  There are those who say that we don't have to change our tune - “oppose, oppose” is good enough.  They are wrong.  There are those who would say that we ought simply to agree with everything Labor puts forward, and propose that it be done somewhat differently, or more moderately.  They, too, are wrong.  What plays in the ivory tower does not have much appeal to us earthlings.  I pledge that as Leader I will put forward a positive agenda for our party that appeals to working Australians and small businesses.  I wholeheartedly and without reservation agree with the majority of Australians and far and away the vast majority of our party that Labor's anti-worker policies of the carbon tax and boat people invasion ought to be reversed – and will be.  These are the policies that Australians feel contrast us the most strongly, and in the most positive light, with Labor.  I call on anyone else who would seek the leadership of our party to also pledge to reverse those policies.

Thank you, and God bless you all.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 15, 2013, 11:16:35 PM
()

Each time I visit my constituency; ordinary Australians come up to me and share their concerns about the direction of our nation. From the nineteen year old girl struggling to pay for university to the ninety-six year old veteran who has seen his livelihood slip away, there’s a common theme we’ve been seeing the last six years; a lack of leadership from this government. As huge surpluses have collapsed into immense deficits due to the financial mismanagement of this government; as a record debt created by the incompetence of the Australian Labor Party shows its dark side upon millions of hardworking ordinary Australians, the Coalition cannot hope to form a parliamentary majority on the floor of the House of Representatives unless we show the electorate why we are an acceptable, viable alternative to the train wreck we have seen in recent times. The Liberal National Party has traditionally been the party of small, effective governance and creative, reasonable solutions. By presenting an articulate vision of where we want to take this country, we can win this election in order to turn back the tide in favor of Australia.

One policy that the Labor government has failed miserably in is the handling of the carbon tax, which has produced so many destructive effects for the Australian economy that they easily outweigh any environmental benefit it would bring. Our miners will see their electricity bills skyrocket, our small businessmen will see their businesses shut down in response to anxiety from our investors, and countless other hardworking, good people will see their livelihoods fall apart. Thousands of jobs have already been lost due this regressive bill, and many firms struggle to keep their doors open. If elected, our first priority must be to repeal this tax, the product of a broken promise, and vice on the aspirations of Australians, immediately. The Coalition is a party which acknowledges the science of man-made climate change, and it must be our priority to put in place a market-based emissions trading scheme, one which will reduce our carbon output while maintaining our economic security. It’s not rocket science.

For absolutely no reason at all, we’ve seen Australian exports savaged by this government, with the ban on cattle exports to Indonesia the most egregious example. The local cattle industry has suffered, undeservedly, and for what? Some unsubstantiated claims about the mistreatment of a few specimens by Indonesian authorities. This is not the way we should be treating one of our most important trading partners or our own farmers, the backbone of rural Australia. Meanwhile, the ALP allows imports of cattle from nations without proper health standards, exposing our citizens to mad cow disease. Free trade and deregulation transformed this country into a booming economic power, and while the Labor party goes on and on about “preparing for a global future” and “moving forward”, they’ve resorted to ridiculous trade policies, union-dominated industrial elections, and humiliating the nations which will be vital to Australia’s future abroad.

Australia must develop a world-class education system, and rather than the money-based block grants under the proposed Gonski scheme, the Coalition must take a free enterprise-oriented approach to school reforms across the country. More focus must be given on building successful charter schools and vouchers available to those students with the worst of circumstances. Underfunding schools isn’t the issue; throwing money at the problem won’t fix the issue. Instead, we have to change the core of the education system from the bureaucratic mess it is today. We need to strengthen our job training system, and encourage the development of more skilled workers, especially to reduce the remaining unemployment rate. A comprehensive education reform plan will be a top priority under an LNP government I lead.

Respect for Australia’s land and people will be restored by a Coalition government. After the initial positive steps for reconciliation with the Aboriginal population, the ALP has continued a destructive Wild Rivers intervention program, ripping apart their society. I am proud to be an Australian and even prouder of our shared cultural heritage, and the LNP will not dishonor that legacy by playing petty politics. Not only does this apply to the oldest of arrivals to this sacred land, but the newest. The Labor government’s racially charged game with Work Visas is an example of the destruction of the spirit of multiculturalism that Australia is unique for. Our nation is one the few in which immigrants’ culture can mold well into our own and create a diverse society tolerant of differences. A Coalition victory will produce a government and Prime Minister who are for all Australians, not just the Western Sydney-crazed union bosses who run the Labor Party. I will allow for a conscience vote on same-sex marriage by all LNP members if I am elected Prime Minster, as this is understandably a divisive issue within our caucus. All MPs will have a seat at the table in extending the right to marry the person one loves to all Australians. Conservation efforts will be critical under a government a lead, and we will work to preserve the natural fauna and flora of this land, from the Koalas of South Australia to the Cassowaries of Queensland, for many generations to come.

Broken promises, broken lives; these are the result of Labor’s sideshow in governing. We’re still waiting for every student to get a laptop, hundreds of Super Clinics and childcare centers, safe insulation schemes, and the balanced budget which has been supposed to be handed down every year and the year after that. A Coalition government will be on based on trust and clear-cut governance. It will be a government for all Australia, and government families can feel comfortable about their children’s future with. The economic prosperity squandered by the current leadership in Canberra will be restored, as will a consensus style of governance with allowance for all of our great states and territories.

Our greatest Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, once said “This is a wonderful country. It’s going to be more wonderful still, but it will achieve greater wonders on the hard work and efforts of its people and not by a spirit of dependency, not on the kind of attitude towards governments and what governments ought to do that our opponents find so easy.” Each year, this is the dream of the Australia that thousands are born into. Each year, this is the Australia that thousands of immigrants from nations where there is no such thing as civil liberty or freedom journey for. Each year, this is the nation where over twenty million people are all proud to play our own little niche in.

When I first entered politics in 2004, I never expected to contest the leadership election of Australia’s greatest political party (thanks to Matthew Collins for his nomination; he is one of party's brightest hopes for the future) , let alone win pre-selection for my own seat. It has been an honor to be elected by the people of Bowman three times, and now I’d like to present the LNP vision effort to restore the nation we love. These are not circumstances we had hoped for, but circumstances we were made to handle. Martin Oakleigh, despite our differences, is an honorable man, and one who was of great assistance to me as a young parliamentarian for this party years ago. Regardless of whoever wins this ballot, it has been an honor to serve in this body and our party will be in good hands.

I humbly request your vote in this leadership ballot. Thank you.



I think we can go ahead and vote on the leadership now. Once someone has secured a majority (hopefully in the next 24 hours), we can have declarations for deputy leader and an election for that (or the leader can just appoint one, depending on what caucus prefers).

Rank the following candidates for the leadership of the Liberal National Party by preference.
[2] Martin Oakleigh (Curtin-WA)
[1] Maxine Bartlett (Bowman-QLD)


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 15, 2013, 11:22:02 PM
Rank the following candidates for the leadership of the Liberal National Party by preference.
[2] Martin Oakleigh (Curtin-WA)
[1] Maxine Bartlett (Bowman-QLD)


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends on July 16, 2013, 12:05:35 AM
Rank the following candidates for the leadership of the Liberal National Party by preference.
[1] Martin Oakleigh (Curtin-WA)
[2] Maxine Bartlett (Bowman-QLD)


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Platypus on July 16, 2013, 05:54:14 AM
Just a reminder that when the election rolls around, I won't be looking for and scoring well attacks on the government (or Labor standing on their record). Try to focus on your own ideas and largely ignore the fact that Labor is in government, and particularly try to ignore the real-world policy successes and failures of the ALP.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 16, 2013, 06:52:51 AM
Rank the following candidates for the leadership of the Liberal National Party by preference.
[1] Martin Oakleigh (Curtin-WA)
[2] Maxine Bartlett (Bowman-QLD)


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 16, 2013, 03:45:50 PM
Rank the following candidates for the leadership of the Liberal National Party by preference.
[1] Martin Oakleigh (Curtin-WA)
[2] Maxine Bartlett (Bowman-QLD)


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Del Tachi on July 16, 2013, 04:54:08 PM

Rank the following candidates for the leadership of the Liberal National Party by preference.
[1] Martin Oakleigh (Curtin-WA)
[2] Maxine Bartlett (Bowman-QLD)

[/quote]


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 16, 2013, 05:17:00 PM
By a vote of 5-2, Martin Oakleigh is elected Leader of the Liberal National Party, and by extension, Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Oakleigh must now assign each MP one of the following ministries-

Shadow Treasurer
Shadow Foreign, Defence, and Trade Minister
Shadow Attorney General
Shadow Health and Community Services Minister
Shadow Infrastructure Minister
Shadow Environment and Climate Change Minister

There are only 6 listed by Hugh, so I suppose someone will be left without a ministry for now (Swedish Cheese, since he's gone until the election?) until more roles are added OR the Deputy Leader could be left without a ministry for now.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 16, 2013, 05:29:38 PM
With a majority of votes from our caucus, I am claiming victory in the leadership election.  Thank you to all my supporters for their aid in taking Australia in a new, better direction.  Thank you also to Ms. Bartlett for running a spirited campaign of her own.  Ms. Bartlett is a wonderful champion of our values and both a worthy adversary and comrade-at-arms.

If you are interested in a front-bench appointment, please now say so.  Do note:  A member of the front bench is expected to resign prior to voting against the party on certain whipped votes.

The whip system is as follows:

Unwhipped/"conscience" votes:  MPs may vote as they please.  This is for issues that the party has no official position on.  Alternatively, a majority of L-N MPs may request a conscience vote on any issue by PMing me.

1-line whip:  MPs are expected to vote and informed of the party position.  This is typically for minor issues.

2-line whip:  MPs are expected to vote for the party position.  Members of the front bench are expected to resign prior to voting against the party.  This is typically for more significant issues, i.e. manifesto promises.

3-line whip:  MPs are required to vote for the party position.  Members of the front bench are expected to resign prior to voting against the party.  MPs may be expelled from the parliamentary caucus for voting against the party.  This is for the most significant issues only, typically motions of confidence and supply while in government, or the yearly budget.

...

I am offering the position of Deputy Leader to Ms. Bartlett.  If she declines, I will hold an election amongst our members for the position of Deputy Leader.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Platypus on July 16, 2013, 07:36:56 PM
I'd encourage one member to remain without a ministry, because they'll become the Speaker after the election. So not having a ministry is a sign of faith :P


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Talleyrand on July 16, 2013, 07:52:57 PM
I'd encourage one member to remain without a ministry, because they'll become the Speaker after the election. So not having a ministry is a sign of faith :P

The main thing I'm not understanding is how exactly the Speaker could function as a reasonable Game Moderator when he's elected by one party. :P How would you eliminate the conflict-of-interest? Have a Deputy Speaker from the other side to even it out?



I will accept the Deputy Leadership, and I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this opportunity to serve. I will accept any one of the six ministries if available.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Platypus on July 16, 2013, 07:58:19 PM
It's true to life ;D

The government has advantages of being in office, including the speaker. But if that's abused, it's incredibly unpopular in the community.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 16, 2013, 08:30:31 PM
OOC: I am willing to take up the office of Foreign Minister, as I am somewhat informed on diplomatic issues relevant to Australia, like East Timor, etc.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 16, 2013, 09:20:33 PM
Shadow Environment and Climate Change Minister


has my interest


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 17, 2013, 01:25:43 PM
Just a reminder: Please do either indicate your interest in a front-bench appointment or state for the record that you do not wish to have one.  I'll make my appointments tonight.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 17, 2013, 07:21:08 PM
Last call...

This means you, Anton Kreitzler and Republican95...


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends on July 17, 2013, 08:17:32 PM
I will happily and proudly accept a frontbench appointment.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Del Tachi on July 17, 2013, 08:47:36 PM
It would be an honor to serve Her Majesty as a frontbencher in Her Loyal Opposition.  I would like to note that my experience and interests make me an especially viable candidate for environment or infrastructure minister.   


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 17, 2013, 08:55:22 PM
Shadow Treasurer:  Edward Lloyd
Shadow Foreign, Defense, and Trade Minister:  Donald Richards (sorry Sanchez, giving this one to our one actual Australian)
Shadow Attorney General:  Maxine Bartlett (the one lawyer character so far)
Shadow Health and Community Services Minister:  Matthew Collins
Shadow Infrastructure Minister:  Francis Jordan
Shadow Environment and Climate Change Minister:  Ian Alexander Harlow (sorry Napoleon, can't have someone who'll be contradicting me in their official capacity)

Speaker-designate:  Roger Erenford


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 18, 2013, 01:39:33 PM
Shadow Treasurer:  Edward Lloyd
Shadow Foreign, Defense, and Trade Minister:  Donald Richards (sorry Sanchez, giving this one to our one actual Australian)
Shadow Attorney General:  Maxine Bartlett (the one lawyer character so far)
Shadow Health and Community Services Minister:  Matthew Collins
Shadow Infrastructure Minister:  Francis Jordan
Shadow Environment and Climate Change Minister:  Ian Alexander Harlow (sorry Napoleon, can't have someone who'll be contradicting me in their official capacity)

Speaker-designate:  Roger Erenford
OOC: No problem, I can certainly see why Richards is a strong pick for the position. Also, on the house floor, Ian Harlow is good enough. The Alexander is just a middle name. Ian Alexander in one name doesn't sit right with me for some reason :P.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 19, 2013, 08:59:13 PM
Speaker-designate:  Roger Erenford

OOC: I'm honoured. :) (and back) 
And congratulations on the leadership win.

Now lets get ready to get into power!


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Napoleon on July 22, 2013, 01:14:12 AM
okay, what now?


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 22, 2013, 11:32:23 AM
. We snap some necks and cash some checks!


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Del Tachi on July 22, 2013, 04:14:50 PM
When does the campaign start?

We should probably start work on a platform, which each minister developing a policy manifesto for his respective area to be agreed to by the rest of the party.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese on July 22, 2013, 04:30:05 PM
Yeah I would suggest that Mr Oakleigh assign drafting proposals on the different policy areas to the persons (probably in accordence with their shadow ministries) that he finds best suited to draft them. The drafts should then be posted in this thread and we should vote on to wether approve them or not. Though as our budget philosophy is probably the most important part of our platform that should probably be drafted by the leader and the Treasurer together. 

As we want to give a clear message and show a united front and don't fall into faction squabble like the Labour party has already done (You can't leave the left with itself for ten minutes with-out them starti ng to fight internally) we should try to focus on basic things that we all can get around and focus on the policies Speaker Hugh has given us and not get run down on Republic vs Monarchy and Social issues. We can create polcies for that later.

But that's only my oppinion.   


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 22, 2013, 05:38:41 PM
Sounds good, let's do that.  Write policies for your ministry, although I reserve the right to change them somewhat if they're too off-message or extremist.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Del Tachi on July 22, 2013, 07:14:40 PM
Post them here or PM them to the leader first?


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 22, 2013, 07:17:52 PM
I'd prefer if you PMed them to me.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on July 22, 2013, 10:59:57 PM
I am out of town right now and am using either my phone or my aunts computer which is very old and slow. I can have my manifesto ready by Wednesday evening, if that is alright with you.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on July 27, 2013, 01:59:50 PM
I have received manifesto planks from only two people!  Come on guys!


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Donerail on August 03, 2013, 08:12:48 AM
Hope it's not too late to sign up...

()
Barkley at a town hall

Name: Richard C. Barkley
Age: 45
Ideology: Liberal (economic and social).
Place of Birth: Adelaide, SA.
Residence: Mount Barker, SA.
Occupation: Editor.
Family: Wife Katya (38), son John (13).
Brief Biography: The only child of a teacher and a Santos executive, Richard took an interest in politics from an early age, including a leadership role in his high school's Young Liberals. He continued this involvement when he went to the University of Technology, Sidney, where he received a B.A. in Communication (Journalism) and in International Studies. He then purchased a home in Mount Barker and worked at The Advertiser, later joining The Independent Weekly when it was founded in 2004. He got involved in politics several years prior, serving in a variety of party roles before eventually rising to represent the district of Heysen in the Parliament of South Australia for six years (2002-2008). He became an MP in 2008, representing Mayo, and has been relatively quiet in Parliament since, attempting to tend to the needs of his local community.
Other: A practicing member of the UCA. Although generally with the party in support of free-market capitalism, he is supportive of same-sex marriage and abortion access and is a republican (thought not one to rail about such issues either way). He supports strengthening ties with allies and an increased focus on regionalism, and opposes foreign military interventionism. He is fluent in English, French, Russian, and Arabic. Although a relatively decent orator, he strongly prefers print journalism to television. When not working, he enjoys travel, hiking, and maintaining his large bonsai collection. He owns several snakes and lizards, and an albino salamander.

Division: Mayo, SA


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on August 05, 2013, 05:39:24 PM
So are we all set to go for the general election?


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: tpfkaw on August 06, 2013, 03:30:03 AM
So are we all set to go for the general election?

Yes, I have everyone's platform planks.


Title: Re: Liberal National Party caucus HQ
Post by: Atlas Has Shrugged on September 05, 2013, 07:03:00 PM
Bumping this.