Middle Road

[ZenGum]

Phew. That was close.

The Sun rose with the coalition on 73, Labor on 74, three undecided.

Around noon, Katter announced he was supporting the coalition. 74 all.

Then Windsor, and then Oakeshott, very s-l-o-w-l-y announced that they would support Labor. 76-74.

The incumbent (Gillard) remains as Prime Minister with a minority in the lower house, with support in matters of supply (passing the budget) and motions of confidence from four of the five independents.

Labor also have a minority in the upper house, with Greens (mostly) holding the balance of power.

So, in effect, the "working class" city folk are the government, but they have to be nice to the bushies and the greenies; and the middle and wealthy classes make up the opposition.

There are mechanisms in our constitution for early elections if government becomes unworkable. Will this strange arrangement last a full three year term?

I'm really happy with this result, both for the immediate political arrangement and for the reinvigoration of the parliamentary process.

[Lamplighter]

Zen's post today lead me to re-read the entire thread,
and then get into casi's 8/24 link to the sbs.com website.
It's a fascinating read for someone like me who has never followed Australian politics.
Been there once, but only as an in-and-out business trip.

I can't say I am really understanding yet it as much as I should.
The parliamentary system is still new to me, but I'll keep learning.
But it's been a happy morning in the rain peeking in on all this.

Thank you Aliantha, ZenGum, casimendocina, et al.

[casimendocina]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

I'm really happy with this result, both for the immediate political arrangement and for the reinvigoration of the parliamentary process.

I don't think the public have paid this much attention to an election since Gough Whitlam (I am making this assertion with no back-up evidence whatsoever) although everyone I knew was on the edge of their seats last election to see if John Howard would finally get ousted or not. I, personally, would have liked to have seen Tony Abbott's implosion on receiving the news that he was not to be PM. I wonder if they'll start letting him speak without a script again.