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.