Tales of an Australian election...

[MoreCoffee]

Australia changed Prime minister last year. The previous incumbent (Tony Abbot) was thrown out by his own party. His replacement (Malcolm Turnbull) is glib and well spoken and not very convincing. The public has lost their liking for him and his popularity is declining. His opponents now appear to be slightly ahead in the polls at 51% vs 49% in favour of the Australian Labor Party. But our Prime minister needs to remove all the senators in the hope of getting a senate that will pass his legislation. To do that he needs to hold a "double dissolution" - meaning that simultaneous elections for the whole senate and the whole house of representatives are held - but to do that he needs to have at least one bill refused by the senate twice with elapsed time between refusals of at least three months. As things stand it looks like he will be in a position to call a double dissolution on the third of May this year with the election to be held on the second of July this year. We're living in "interesting times".

 

[psalms 91]

wish we could dissolve our senate and house

 

[MoreCoffee]

wish we could dissolve our senate and house

Our constitution makes provisions for it but I am not sure if yours does.

 

[psalms 91]

it doesnt but after seeing the trainwreck of the last few years I wish it did

 

[MoreCoffee]

it doesnt but after seeing the trainwreck of the last few years I wish it did

Maybe another constitutional amendment is needed. Allowing the president to call a congressional election if important bills cannot get through both houses. Those USA government shut-downs are bad for the country.

 

[psalms 91]

Yes and people still keep voting in the very ones weho did it. I live in a district that is heavily Republican and one of the clowns that helped bring thta about is in this district and will probable get reelected, his ads even boast of it, in different words but the gist is the same

 

[MoreCoffee]

Yes and people still keep voting in the very ones who did it. I live in a district that is heavily Republican and one of the clowns that helped bring that about is in this district and will probable get re-elected, his ads even boast of it, in different words but the gist is the same

There's no rational way on God's earth in which to understand why the public votes as it does.

 

[psalms 91]

There's no rational way on God's earth in which to understand why the public votes as it does.

Agreed

 

[MoreCoffee]

Agreed

You're a good chap to agree with me so often

 

[psalms 91]

lol we do agree quite aften

 

[MoreCoffee]

Looks like the national election will be on 2nd-July this year. Our Prime Minister said so on TV but he has not yet told the Governor General to dissolve parliament and issue writs for the election. He's playing a game with the politics of it all.

 

[psalms 91]

wish we could dissolve our house and senate

 

[MoreCoffee]

wish we could dissolve our house and senate

We get to take revenge on any PM that calls an early election. This one will be in the depths of winter and we do not like that! Down with the winter PM and his naughty cold weather election

 

[psalms 91]

lol I love it

 

[MoreCoffee]

I wonder ... when our PM will formally announce an election ... we all know it will be on 2nd-July this year but he is playing coy about the formalities.

 

[psalms 91]

maybe he likes suspencse

 

[MoreCoffee]

maybe he likes suspencse

Possibly. He may be weighing up harm vs benefits to his prospects of being elected.

 

[psalms 91]

I am sure he will do that

 

[Josiah]

wish we could dissolve our senate and house

I think in Australia, the PM can dissolve the houses (or at least call for elections).... Would you like Obama to respond to the Republican majorities and the difficulties he has with his liberal agenda to just dissolve both houses? I don't think so.....

 

[psalms 91]

I think in Australia, the PM can dissolve the houses (or at least call for elections).... Would you like Obama to respond to the Republican majorities and the difficulties he has with his liberal agenda to just dissolve both houses? I don't think so.....

I would like a government that works and has common sense rather than shutting it down and ruining our credit