Electioneering

Good articles in the Sunday Mail today. Senator X tells us that being an independent is akin to being a virgin....and you shouldn't give it away for nothing....I like this (and agree)

We should not be surprised that the two big parties don't like this...they like to be in TOTAL control.

So they wouldn't like Mr T who writes to the Advertiser advocating (as I do) that Senate voting needs to include the option of PREFERENTIAL-ABOVE THE LINE - that is not just vote 1...and then allow the parties to decide where our preferences go...but rather to vote what ever preferences we want. Good idea.(see my previous blog)

And the opinionated David Penberthy tells us that if the big parties give in to the gang of three or four (depending on your inclination) and their demands to be transparent and to actually be allowed access to accurate information (like costings)...then all hell will break loose.

It's interesting that Steve Bracks, one of the few Premiers to actually have experience of minority Government seesm to extol the need to be more transparent as a big pluss!!!!!

I suppose we shall just have to wait and see.

Above the line

My post election gripe is about the iniquity that is "above the line" voting in the Senate. I just don't understand how we allow this to happen. Most people I talk to say: " I would never vote above the line", and yet statistics show that 90% of voters do!
With 46 numbers to fill in below the line on the SA Senate paper it is not surprising that many people choose to opt for just writing one number against the party of their choice. This is great for the major parties, because it means they can prostitute their preferences.
But it disenfranchises small groups and Independents. So well-done Mr X (here)for being victorious against this injustice.
But, why can't we have a mid-way option of still being allowed to vote above the line, but writing as many (or as few) numbers as we like. So why couldn't I vote (for example)

1. Liberal
2. Labor
3. Green
4. Democrat
5. DLP
6. Family First
   
7. National
   
8. CEP
9. Sporting Party
10. Senator on Line
11. Socialist Alliance
12. Shooters Party
13. One Nation

You see the truth is on a long ballot paper there is not only satisfaction in voting for your first preference, but there is also satisfaction in putting one party lower down than another. And why should the Liberal, Family First or Labor party backroom tell me that I should prefer One Nation Ahead of the Shooters Party or vice versa.
Of course it doesn't really matter. I just think the electorate has been duped!