Australia General Discussion

[Knives]

Polling atm is all over the place, I'm not really sure who to trust.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It's more about the bouncy-ness of Newspoll (47-53, 45-55, 49-51) with no significant external factors and Abbott's approval still in the toilet AND Shortens being more closely aligned with his party's standings ... wha?

[Knives]

It's more about the bouncy-ness of Newspoll (47-53, 45-55, 49-51) with no significant external factors and Abbott's approval still in the toilet AND Shortens being more closely aligned with his party's standings ... wha?

I struggle to believe the electorate is this fickle.

[homelycooking]

I thought you guys might like to see this: a map 18 months in the making.



Thanks again go to Smid for his advice and encouragement.

[Talleyrand]

Beautiful as always, Homely!

Also, there are serious allegations of domestic abuse against Labor MP Billy Gordon in Queensland

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/lnp-would-be-ready-for-cook-byelection-springborg-20150328-1m9uif.html

If there is a by-election and the LNP wins the seat, there would be a 43-43 tie on the floor of parliament and the ALP would lose its majority propped up by Wellington. Cook is usually a Labor seat, but it's still winnable for the LNP in the right circumstances, so you can't take anything for granted.

I think cases like this one and Craig Thomson in federal parliament a few years ago only prove that the ALP. needs to more seriously vet its candidates...

[morgieb]

Beautiful as always, Homely!

Also, there are serious allegations of domestic abuse against Labor MP Billy Gordon in Queensland

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/lnp-would-be-ready-for-cook-byelection-springborg-20150328-1m9uif.html

If there is a by-election and the LNP wins the seat, there would be a 43-43 tie on the floor of parliament and the ALP would lose its majority propped up by Wellington. Cook is usually a Labor seat, but it's still winnable for the LNP in the right circumstances, so you can't take anything for granted.

I think cases like this one and Craig Thomson in federal parliament a few years ago only prove that the ALP. needs to more seriously vet its candidates...

Meh, I don't see Labor seats flipping in a by-election where their majority is under threat unless Labor were quite unpopular....something I'm not necessarily seeing up there (could be wrong o/c).

It is a bit disturbing that sh**t like that wasn't discovered though......

[Talleyrand]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-29/queensland-premier-annastacia-palaszczuk-sacks-billy-gordon-mp/6356718

Annastacia Palaszczuk has expelled Billy Gordon from the Labor Party and called on him to resign as MP for Cook.

[BaconBacon96]

Less than a week in and we're already f**ked.

[Talleyrand]

I hope he resigns as soon as possible, especially considering the extent of his criminal acts. I'd rather have the LNP win the byelection and possibly form government than have him holding the current government hostage.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3016517/Premier-orders-MP-quit-criminal-past-including-alleged-domestic-violence-plunging-government-crisis.html

He is "weighing" his options.

[Knives]

ugh, I'll cry if they lose government over this.

[Talleyrand]

Both QLD party leaders will be in the electorate this week so they're preparing for a byelection. In the meantime, the KAP MPs are in talks with Labor.

Another thing to notice- the next scheduled federal or state/territory election isn't for another 17 months.

Then there'll be a quick burst of elections like there was the last six months.

NT- August 27, 2016
ACT- October 15, 2016
Federal- On or before January 15, 2017
WA- March 11, 2017

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

More fun: dissident PUP senator Jacqui Lambie is starting her own political party. Important policies all ready highlighted is she is very opposed to Shariah Law being introduced in Australia. Phew.

[Hifly]

Apparently a second QLD Labor MP might be in trouble...

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/apr/01/queensland-labor-domestic-violence-allegation-another-mp

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

to lose one MP to domestic abuse charges is unfortunate. But to lose two? Jesus Christ.

[Talleyrand]

Looks like a change of government!

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

If I was premier I would immediately call a fresh election and try to make it on moral grounds. I.e. 'I will not be allowed to kept hostage by a domestic abusing rogue for the sake of power' etc.

Probably won't work but better than being strewn along by a Geoff Shaw style bastard (or two, as the case may be)

[Talleyrand]

If I was premier I would immediately call a fresh election and try to make it on moral grounds. I.e. 'I will not be allowed to kept hostage by a domestic abusing rogue for the sake of power' etc.

Probably won't work but better than being strewn along by a Geoff Shaw style bastard (or two, as the case may be)

Yes, while it would be very risky and almost certainly backfire, it's far better than the alternative situation.

[BaconBacon96]

What a ridiculous predicament.

[morgieb]

Ouch.

Yeah I'd try and go for another election.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Idiotic ... who vets these guys?

[morgieb]

Idiotic ... who vets these guys?

My only guess (hope?) is that Labor didn't think it could win anyway so they took what they could get.

[Talleyrand]

I think Morgieb is right here, but considering situations like Thomson in here, it's clear stronger vetting is needed regardless.

Gordon's selection can't really be blamed on that though, because Cook was widely expected to fall to the ALP, and he was a popular indigenous candidate who had done respectably as a federal candidate in 2013.

Pumicestone however...

[Barnes]

Yeah, this certainly isn't pleasant. If a second Labor MP falls, it's only a matter of time before Palaszczuk would have to go to an early election. Perhaps she could hold out past the budget to show some semblance of government as usual.

Regardless, this doesn't really shake my confidence in her as premier.

[checkers]

Apparently Robbie Katter's threatening to withdraw support because of the scandal. Ugh.

[Knives]

omg Kevin Rudd is such a disaster of a person.