NationStates Jolt Archive

Assuming either the Coalition(Liberal) or the Labor party get a majority in the lower house of reps in about two weeks and form government, a more important race will be for the senate, the upper house. This is mainly because it will be assumed if the govt (and labor) loose many seats, they will be picked up by independents and minor parties, mostly the greens. I personally want our Senate to return to both it's role as the house of review and the states' house, the latter being denied by the 2-large political parties whose discipline ensures senators cannot stand up for their states' interests if it conflicts with the party line. That is why I will be preferencing minor parties first in the senate.

But my big question is for Australian NSG's, whom will you be preferencing in the Senate? I have put a poll up for just you're first preferences though. Given the massive amounts of parties, groups and independents running, I put up as many as possible, I listed the first few according to the seats they already have- the rest dont' have any seats currently but I listed on how many they are candidates they are running in the election, here is a list of their official stances from wiki:

Labor: Social democracy, third-way, centre-left
Liberal/National: Liberalism, conservatism, centre-right
Greens: environmentalism, social progressivism
Democrats: progressivism
Family First: Christian-based conservatism
Socialist Alliance: leftism
Christian Democratic Party: Christian-based conservatism
Liberty and Democracy Party: libertarianism
Socialist Equality Party: Trotskyism
Democratic Labor Party: conservatism, right-wing

I like the Greens for their Social Progressivism, and because they form a good counter-balance. And because of Bob Brown, the guy is just made of pure awesome.

I know nothing about the Liberty and Democracy Party, so they're not exactly doing a good job getting their message out there. The libertarian cause would probably be better served if the Liberals can divorce themselves of the religious fanclub and just stick with Costello, Turnbull and so on.

I like The Greens, not only because of the fact that they're (apparently) willing to do things for the good of the country rather than just to get elected, but also because they are a minor party with a coherent organisation and clear goals/plans and policies. Gotta love that. Family First would come LAST for me.

That is, if I could vote at all...

I will be voting for the greens in the upper house. I do agree they are a good counterbalance and I also believe they are a lone voice for many environmental concerns that people have, which are not being taken seriously enough by either of the major parties. The greens could benefit with a rebuffed PR campaign and some of its delegates could use some training, but I would prefer this to the perverse greasiness of the liberals.

Off-topic, I will vote labor in the lower house and thereby exercise the greatest combination of powers to ensure that this stagnant and stale government is summarily ejected from power. I am pleased that labor is at least seeming to take education and the development of science & technology seriously. I hope that labor will be a stronger leadership and not submit their principles to the Americans, Chinese, Russians or any other nation for veto.