ACT Election result

The pundits seem to think that the outcome of the ACT election held yesterday will be 7 Labor members, 7 Liberal and 3 Greens (compared to the old Assembly of 9 Labor, 6 Liberals, 1 Green and 1 Independent). I personally think that scenario is too neat, and, in the final wash-up, is more likely to be either one fewer Green plus one Independent, or one fewer Liberal and one extra Green. In other words, 7,7,2,1 or 7,6,4. Much will depend, of course, on the distribution of preferences as to who gets the final couple of spots.

UPDATE

Sunday 26 October, 2008

The final result of the ACT election is 7 Labor, 6 Liberal and 4 Greens, vindicating my thoughts that 7,7,3 was too glib a prediction. The leaders of the ALP and the Liberals parties are still in talks with the Greens as to which of the major parties will (with The Greens' support) form government.

I had the misfortune of listening to Jon Stanhope's election night speech on the radio. Stanhope's pitiful attempt at self-mockery during his speech in relation to what he thinks is his so-called "perceived arrogance" by some voters, achieved nothing; except to confirm to me, and I suspect many others, that, on this issue, what he thinks some voters perceive and what actually is, are one and the same.

John Howard once famously said "Canberrans live like Double Bay, but vote like Cessnock." As evidenced by the outcome yesterday, Howard was spot on - again.

The fact that the ALP in Canberra received a swing against them of more than 9 percent is encouraging. That most of this vote spillage went to The Greens, is not.

I think Zed Seselja is a shining light in the ACT Liberal Party, and I have no doubt he will be Chief Minister one day. That the Liberals couldn't garner more votes is no fault of his.

The ALP produced some of the most inaccurate, vicious, carping and bilious advertisements during this campaign that I have ever heard. The Liberals were totally outspent in this regard. Where they could not respond in volume, the Liberals should have made up for in content. Specifically, marketing themselves better, and attacking the ALP more strategically, especially in relation to Stanhope's arrogance (real, not perceived), lack of community consultation, school and medical centre closures, to name a mere few.

Whilst Canberrans have registered a protest vote against the most left-wing government and Labor leader in the country, instead of using their protest vote wisely to vote for a fresh, vibrant alternative in the Liberals, they voted for The Greens - a loopy outfit - no doubt disciples of Al Gore and his Marxist-environmental cult. Will these over-educated, guilt-ridden, eco-fascist voters ever see the light? Is there any hope for the world?

Meanwhile however, if you are an aspiring Labor politician, there is no easier place in the country to get elected to government than in the ACT.

They say you get the government you deserve. Election after election, Canberrans prove that adage, beautifully.

Post-council election gaffe-fest

It didn't take long.

Hutchville's local rag today lists our new-look council, complete with the three new faces.

In the same story, comes a gem of a quote from a successfully re-elected councillor - a person known to me and whom I quite like, but who really should have taken a look in the mirror before dropping this clanger:

It is a well-balanced council that represents a good
blend...snip

'Well-balanced' my middle ear!

Three (that I know of, could be more) out of the nine councillors are members of the Australian Labor Party (including the councillor who gave the above quote!!), and another is a member of The Greens - an outfit even more left of the ALP. I call that bordering on 'stacked', not 'balanced'.

Now, I know...people will say that party politics should be put to one side in local councils - and I totally agree - but, notwithstanding, to call this council 'well-balanced' is like calling John McCain 'middle-aged'.

NSW Council Elections - Results

The counting and final distribution of preferences in my LGA (local government area) were finalised today.

Out of 9 vacancies on council, the voters of this LGA have elected three new faces. Personally, that is a disappointingly modest number. I was hoping for at least four.

Of the three new faces, two of them got my vote.

But, out of the six re-elected councillors, only two got the nod from me.

The mood out there last Saturday was decidedly tense. But was it a mood for change? Council had become complacent in many areas, especially in regards to planning, and had made some very strange decisions that were seemingly at odds with council's own previous rulings.

I have spoken to several people since the voting took place, and I know many of these folk shared my concerns, and were also hoping for four or five new faces on council.

We will have to make do with three.

But, with one of the three newbies being a member of The Greens, I think there will be some very interesting debates in council over the next four years.