Not Quite Crafty

May you live in interesting times…..

22 Aug 2010 1 Comment

by notquitecrafty in Uncategorized Tags: Election, history

And for the next few weeks I think we will be.  I have been thinking this over since last night when it became apparent that it was going to be highly unlikely that we would know the name of our next Prime Minister anytime soon.

I watched the election coverage until the pretty much end – watched Stephen Smith growing more uncomfortable in his chair, Antony Green trying to madly predict outcomes until he was able to concede that there would be no outcome, Kerry O’Brien trying to get reactions out of Nick Minchin and Stephen Smith, George Brandis starting his campaign to convince the independents to support his party, Sarah Hanson-Young’s glee grow as the success of the Greens became apparent, Penny Wong trying to defend a campaign gone so horribly wrong, Maxine McKew taking the first knife out on the ALP factions, the surprise in Tasmania of the success of Andrew Wilkie and the leaders speeches.  It was fascinating TV to me, an election night junkie, and so very different to the night in 2007 and also the night in 1996.

Again, I do not want to post of my political views or take any sides in what is going to happen in the next few weeks.  But it does concern me that the decision as to who will govern our country is going to come down to 5 men elected by a very small percentage of the country.  5 men who are going to make a significant impact on what will happen over this term of government – 3 conservative independents from rural/regional seats including one who does seem a little bit mad (but fun in a strange kind of way), 1 green from the centre of one of our biggest cities and 1 green leaning ex public servant and whistleblower from a small city.  Very interesting times indeed.

As someone who grew up in a regional area I understand the frustration of the lack of services, the lack of consideration given by governments to areas far away from the centre of power, the lack of money being thrown around in rural safe seats (which is certainly the case with the 3 conservative independents).  So rural and regional Australia could be big winners from this situation.  I just hope that these guys not only try to obtain some benefits for their constituents, but also benefits that will assist all Australians who live outside major cities in this country.  

I would also like to see a stable government, not a government subject to the whims and hair-brained idealism of a small group who have ended up with power (Steve Fielding?  The Greens in Canberra?).  After hearing all of these 5 men interviewed last night they all expressed concern about ensuring stability of government – I only hope that they stick to that aim.  

Here in the ACT we have been living with minority government for the last 2 years.  It has put some brakes on some of the stupid ideas and arrogance of a previous majority government.  So far it seems OK – not ideal but OK.  We have fixed terms so the government can not choose to call an election to deal with the lack of majority.  But on a Federal basis this could be a very real proposition.  I can see another election looming up in the not so distant future.

The other thing I have been thinking about is how a government led by the Greens would actually work.  They have made a lot of election promises that realistically would be difficult to implement and fund.  It could be very interesting to watch Bob Brown try to balance a budget and meet his election committments………