Darron CharlesworthNot much choice for concerned voters
June 19th 2010 08:06
Category: No Category
Voting at the last Federal election was, for me, about the same as any other. The boxes were numbered and, as someone who opposes both Labor and Liberal, there was only one thing to really choose – who do I put last. That is the key really. Chances are that all the others will be gradually eliminated from the contest due to the nature of our electoral system in the House of Representatives.
Dutifully I undertook the one democratic right that our political system offers us: the right to cast my vote. In the crowd this one vote does not seem particularly relevant. It is however the one chance – anonymous as it is – to try and influence Australia’s choice of dictator for the next 3 years.
Being socialist in nature voting Liberal last was not such a hard choice. Unlike many of my friends and associates however, I was not bamboozled by Kevin Rudd and his oh so fake smile and mannerisms. Two and a half years later I feel vindicated in my opinion of Rudd prior to the last Federal election.
The Rudd Labor Government has been a remarkable failure of the highest order. The failings of this Government are referred to in numerous past posts on this site. Without again reiterating the long list of failings it is suffice to say that no other Government in my memory has led such an appalling record of disaster.
The news that Labor’s Parental Leave Scheme actually past through both Houses hardly raised an eyebrow. Why? Because the people are no longer listening to anything this Government says. So disillusioned have the people become they are deaf to anything Rudd says. But they will be watching what he does. The surprisingly hostile reception of the mining tax from non-mining sectors promises to keep the people focused on Rudd and Labor for the foreseeable future – and not in a good way.
Where then does this leave the vote in the next Federal election due later this year? For the first time since gaining the right to vote I may have to abstain on this occasion. The reason: who would you vote for?
Abbott is not even in the consideration stakes for this one. His constant change of opinion is unconvincing to say the least. People do not change their values particularly one as ideologically entrenched as Tony Abbott despite his pleas to the contrary. While Rudd has been dubbed Howard light Abbott would make Howard look like Mother Teresa. Tony’s strong patriarchal views, promethean beliefs and Thatcheristic values do not present an enlightened position for Australia’s future: rather the reverse – a giant leap back in time.
If not Abbot then who?
Rudd has had his chance and to say he blew it would be an understatement. Generating enough voter momentum to propel an independent to power is almost impossible. The only other Party with any real political presence is the Greens. Since the Democrats un-democratically dismissed Natasha Stott Despoja the Greens have been receiving my first preference vote.
While the Green vote has been increasing of late gaining a seat in the House of Representatives is far from easy. Our voting system is designed that way. The structure of the two-party system makes breaking through the barrier unlikely for any third person or party.
This effectively means that the final choice will be between a Rudd Labor Government and a likely continuation of the current abomination dressed up as responsible Government. Or Abbott led Liberal Government with questionable consequences for anyone disadvantaged by obviously preventable problems such as Gender, Disability or Poverty.
With Labor either unable or unwilling to change leaders the next election will not be about who is best, rather it will be about who is the least worst.
Dutifully I undertook the one democratic right that our political system offers us: the right to cast my vote. In the crowd this one vote does not seem particularly relevant. It is however the one chance – anonymous as it is – to try and influence Australia’s choice of dictator for the next 3 years.
Being socialist in nature voting Liberal last was not such a hard choice. Unlike many of my friends and associates however, I was not bamboozled by Kevin Rudd and his oh so fake smile and mannerisms. Two and a half years later I feel vindicated in my opinion of Rudd prior to the last Federal election.
The Rudd Labor Government has been a remarkable failure of the highest order. The failings of this Government are referred to in numerous past posts on this site. Without again reiterating the long list of failings it is suffice to say that no other Government in my memory has led such an appalling record of disaster.
The news that Labor’s Parental Leave Scheme actually past through both Houses hardly raised an eyebrow. Why? Because the people are no longer listening to anything this Government says. So disillusioned have the people become they are deaf to anything Rudd says. But they will be watching what he does. The surprisingly hostile reception of the mining tax from non-mining sectors promises to keep the people focused on Rudd and Labor for the foreseeable future – and not in a good way.
Where then does this leave the vote in the next Federal election due later this year? For the first time since gaining the right to vote I may have to abstain on this occasion. The reason: who would you vote for?
Abbott is not even in the consideration stakes for this one. His constant change of opinion is unconvincing to say the least. People do not change their values particularly one as ideologically entrenched as Tony Abbott despite his pleas to the contrary. While Rudd has been dubbed Howard light Abbott would make Howard look like Mother Teresa. Tony’s strong patriarchal views, promethean beliefs and Thatcheristic values do not present an enlightened position for Australia’s future: rather the reverse – a giant leap back in time.
If not Abbot then who?
Rudd has had his chance and to say he blew it would be an understatement. Generating enough voter momentum to propel an independent to power is almost impossible. The only other Party with any real political presence is the Greens. Since the Democrats un-democratically dismissed Natasha Stott Despoja the Greens have been receiving my first preference vote.
While the Green vote has been increasing of late gaining a seat in the House of Representatives is far from easy. Our voting system is designed that way. The structure of the two-party system makes breaking through the barrier unlikely for any third person or party.
This effectively means that the final choice will be between a Rudd Labor Government and a likely continuation of the current abomination dressed up as responsible Government. Or Abbott led Liberal Government with questionable consequences for anyone disadvantaged by obviously preventable problems such as Gender, Disability or Poverty.
With Labor either unable or unwilling to change leaders the next election will not be about who is best, rather it will be about who is the least worst.
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Comment by Elisabeth Fraser
Paper Cover
Australian Take
The Greens aren't the Party to do this unless they compromise. I'm not sure they'll do that.
One thing I do know, I really miss the old Australian Democrats and their "Keep the Bastards Honest."
That was a great policy they had - run for years on that ticket.
Comment by Darron Charlesworth
Australian Politics
Environmental Issues
After saving the Party from Kerno's surprise departure she deserved much better. The leaderships move on NSD killed the Dems and lost Australia its voice against the two party machine.