Darron CharlesworthTasmanian Election
April 14th 2010 23:34
Category: No Category
The result of the recent election in Tasmania has produced an interesting outcome and certainly a dilemma. Firstly this is an indication of a comprehensive shift in Tassie away from two-party politics. This is an excellent outcome for the democracy and for the voting public in Tasmania. There is no doubt that the domination of the Labor and Liberal political parties for the past 100 years has reduced significantly the choice for voters and their ability to participate in the political system. This outcome has the potential to shift that balance and create a new type of cooperative government.
Secondly it will be humbling for the leader of either Labor or Liberal when they have to go back on their word and enter into a cooperative agreement with the Greens in order to form government. As both party’s leaders assured voters that they would not cooperate or negotiate with the Greens a few eyelids will be raised as they seek support from the Greens to form Government.
This will also be a testing time for the Greens in Tasmania. There could be the temptation to offer too many concessions. This would be bad for the democratic process and for the people of Tasmania. Whether the swing to the Greens was out of support for Green policies and ideals or in protest against the incumbent is of little relevance. The vote shows that a large percentage of people were prepared to give the Greens an opportunity to prove their credentials and they must do just that. Negotiation is a good thing but it should not be done at the cost of key ideologies. For this reason the Greens must stand firm on their key philosophies and maintain there unwavering stance on environmental issues. The people have spoken and like it or not Labor and Liberal must accept this choice.
The latest development comes from the Labor camp. As the Rann Labor Government did in South Australia in the 2002 election the Bartlett Labor Government has been reported in The Australian as pondering offering Greens MPs Ministerial positions in exchange for support. This will enable the Labor Party to offer some stability in government but give the Greens significant leverage should Labor fail to deliver in key areas. Let us hope for the sake of the electorate and process that the Greens do not give too many concessions and continue to uphold the values and principles for which they were elected.
This will also be a testing time for the Greens in Tasmania. There could be the temptation to offer too many concessions. This would be bad for the democratic process and for the people of Tasmania. Whether the swing to the Greens was out of support for Green policies and ideals or in protest against the incumbent is of little relevance. The vote shows that a large percentage of people were prepared to give the Greens an opportunity to prove their credentials and they must do just that. Negotiation is a good thing but it should not be done at the cost of key ideologies. For this reason the Greens must stand firm on their key philosophies and maintain there unwavering stance on environmental issues. The people have spoken and like it or not Labor and Liberal must accept this choice.
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