Reflections on the Miracle of Democracy at Work in the Greatest Nation on Earth

The day after

A more lucid analysis will have to wait for tomorrow. For the moment I can only offer some swing breakdowns: 5.6 per cent in Sydney, 5.5 per cent in the rest of New South Wales; 5.4 per cent in Melbourne, 4.7 per cent in the rest of Victoria; 7.8 per cent in Brisbane, 8.5 per cent in the rest of Queensland; 1.4 per cent in Perth, 4.1 per cent in the rest of WA; 5.8 per cent in Adelaide, 9.2 per cent in the rest of SA (Mayo, Barker and Grey); 2.5 per cent in Tasmania; 1.7 per cent in ACT; 2.8 per cent in NT.

I think I can also manage an overview for the Senate, which has produced a surprisingly strong result for the Coalition and a number of disappointments for the Greens. Kerry Nettle is gone in NSW, with three seats each for Labor and the Coalition. It’s looking like the same result in Victoria, although Greens candidate Richard di Natale might yet take the final seat from the third Liberal candidate Scott Ryan. The Greens also seem to be falling short in Queensland, their candidate 2.4 per cent behind Labor’s third for the final seat. Better news for the Greens from Western Australia, which turned in its expected result of three Liberal, two Labor, one Greens, and South Australia, where their candidate looks likely to just keep ahead of Labor at the second last exclusion and win the final seat on their preferences. Tasmania is a clear three for Labor, two for Coalition and one for Greens, and Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory split one Labor and one (Country) Liberal as normal.

Assuming the Greens don’t get up in Victoria, and unless my late night/early morning arithmetic leads me astray, that points to 18 seats out of 40 for both Labor and the Coalition, three for the Greens and one for Nick Xenophon. Combined with ongoing Senators, that means 37 for the Coalition (one short of a blocking majority) and 32 for Labor, with the balance consisting of five for the Greens, one Family First and one Nick Xenophon. The Greens will thus not hold the balance of power in their own right, with the Coalition being able to stitch together a blocking majority with Fielding or Xenophon or an absolute majority with them both. Interesting times ahead.

1,248 Comments

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  1. 1051
    Pancho
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:50 pm | Permalink

    wpc – do I have any other info on whether freezing canetoads is or isn’t a worthy definition of socialism? Now I know you’re having a lend of me.

  2. 1052
    The Chinster
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:50 pm | Permalink

    Incidentally, at the Mayo (commiseration) party last night we were asked to take down the corflutes and keep them safe, as it was highly likely that there would be a by-election in the seat before long.

    Is it possible for Mary to add to the 7% swing a further 6% (non-encumbency) swing then and therefore make it a Labor seat?

    One can only hope.

  3. 1053
    Vote1Maxine
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:50 pm | Permalink

    Very sad to hear about Matt Price. Vale Matt. My condolences to his wife & children.

  4. 1054
    frank
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:52 pm | Permalink

    Actually, I’ve just remembered that every election until this one, they always asked “Have you already voted?” (or something) before handing over the ballot papers. Not this time.

  5. 1055
    Diogenes
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:52 pm | Permalink

    I know this doesnt mean anything statistically but the online poll in SA on next Lib leader is:

    Malcolm Turnbull 33%, Brendan Nelson 9%, Julie Bishop 10%, Joe Hockey 16%, Alexander Downer 11%, Christopher Pyne 11%, Tony Abbott 6%

    Surprised to see Hockey second.

  6. 1056
    wysiwyg
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:52 pm | Permalink

    Steven Kaye, WC doesn’t explain why the Libs are now out of power everywhere. They have moved so far right and become so mean-spirited, that a lot of their natural support base has now rejected them. I saw a lot of this while handing out HTV’s yesterday.

  7. 1057
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:52 pm | Permalink

    I just want to go on the reccord as being in the majority when i say I love union dominated governments and wall-to-wall labor.

    I also want to say that John Howard was a good Liberal party leader, but has always struggled to get a following across a broad enough section of the Australian community to make him a good leader of Australia.

    I will say that Howard was a good ‘manager’ of this country in many ways, understanding not manager is perfect. However, managers make the right decisions, leaders make decisions that are right.

  8. 1058
    wpc
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:53 pm | Permalink

    1051. Pancho. LOL Sorry, I thought you were referring to the legality of it. But, to me, having to kill cane toads by freezing them is a wonderful analogy of socialism :)

  9. 1059
    SB
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:53 pm | Permalink

    Long suffering Labor voter in Sturt. Come on Mia – so close! Pork barreling is alive and well. Pyne rocks up to a well to do Soccer club in Sturt during the election, after training we gather around and he promises $1 million for the club to build another club room (already have 2)! He said he worked his party hard to get the nod for the $ (yer sure he did). A master stoke – it may have got him enough votes to cross the line. Ironic given a cent won’t be provided now the nasty slimy rodent and his cronies have rightly been chucked out.

  10. 1060
    ViggoP
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:53 pm | Permalink

    Frank @ 1054

    They asked me.

    I said “not as far as I know”, just in case.

  11. 1061
    NOT SO MAD MAX
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:53 pm | Permalink

    1049 Glen
    They should have a good think about it now. No knee jerk replacement but maybe a caretaker leader while they work out where to go next.
    In that situation, maybe Nelson as the minder while they position their re-election strategy over the next 6-12 months. They need to get out to the electorate and listen this time to help formulate their future directions, not surround themselves with sychophants and yes men. This is the time to be candid.

  12. 1062
    Lose the election please
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    Turnbull to contest Liberal party leadership
    http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22818518-5012863,00.html

    Surprise surprise I know.

  13. 1063
    NB
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    Frank. They asked me. Your person probably just forgot.

  14. 1064
    Greensborough Growler
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    Mia Handshin only 45 votes behind in Sturt.

    http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-190.htm

  15. 1065
    Simon
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    RIP Matt Price. That is a really sad pieceo f news, although not entirely unexpected.

    In other, happier, news, Malcolm Turnbull is set to announce he’ll be seeking the leadership of the Liberal Party!

  16. 1066
    rossco
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:55 pm | Permalink

    Glen 873
    You could say the same thing about other Liberals who got blown away. There is nothing special about Keenan, although Howard did fancy him.

    There were promises to spend money on local roads but I thought every marginal got those.

    So I still don’t understand why when there were so many things going against him he was hardly touched.

  17. 1067
    Pathological Logic
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:55 pm | Permalink

    If the next Liberal Leader is smart he’ll court the Greens to try to get them to split their preferences 50/50. That could make a big difference in a lot of the marginals in 2010/2011.

    If the Greens are stupid enough to agree to this it will be their equivalent of the GST for the Democrats. They will certainly sacrifice my support.

  18. 1068
    Glen
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    Nelson can get agro so he can deal with himself in Parliament and i like the bloke but whenever he talks for longer than 3mins zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

    Brendan Nelson is the favourite but Julie Bishop will probably have 11 votes from WA and the Senators from WA stitched up and she could be the outsider to Malcolm and Brendan.

    If Julie isn’t the leader she’ll be deputy i think.

    Nelson could be good he’s got experience but Malcolm is probably more liked by the electorate.

  19. 1069
    ViggoP
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    Updates on Bennelong and Sturt.

    http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseUpdatedByDivision-13745-NAT.htm

  20. 1070
    KT
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    Chris Pyne now has a 955 vote lead over Mia Handshin – should be safe

    http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-190.htm

  21. 1071
    Lose the election please
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    rossco… could it have been the Sudanese whistle?

    There is a Sudanese community in Stirling.

  22. 1072
    Greensborough Growler
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    Sorry,

    As you were!

    8 and 7 look the same today.

  23. 1073
    Rusted on
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    Haiku: To Dennis Shamahan

    In rat’s nest you groped —
    now Rudd’s new day dawns, expect
    zero sympathy

    Homage to Tabitha

    Rodent knows defeat
    Even lost his seat

    Smirk wimped out
    Hockey far too stout

    Who’s left standing?
    (Abbott notwithstanding)

    Sorry set of losers
    Toffs, airheads, bruisers

    Expect decomposition
    Or permanent opposition

  24. 1074
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

    Kennett’s moustache was enough to drive me elsewhere.

  25. 1075
    Glen
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:57 pm | Permalink

    rossco well he holds it by what 1.2% without postals in so it could be even more marginal or back out to 2% still it makes it easier for Keenan to win in 2010.

    Tinely should of run in Hasluck, Jackson is a reject.

  26. 1076
    SirEggo
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:58 pm | Permalink

    Just looked up the results in my Wilberforce booth in Greenway where I handed out Labor HTVs

    Markus got 65% of the 2PP.

    You know, for some unknown reason, I’m not that unhappy about it! LOL :-D

  27. 1077
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    1064- [Mia Handshin only 45 votes behind in Sturt.]

    yes but they have now counted the last booth- likelyhood of her getting up on postals?

  28. 1078
    Glen
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    Steve Irons is 200 behind Wilkie…Tories have a chance at 11 of 15 seats in WA…

  29. 1079
    SirEggo
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    KT 1070

    Bugger it….

  30. 1080
    NOT SO MAD MAX
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:00 pm | Permalink

    1068 Glen.
    I hear you about Nelson but that’s exactly my point. Caretaker now and then Booshka, new person takes over and “you” have”re-vitalised ” the party.
    Oh well, it’s up to you guys on the ground in the party because it’s 10- 15 years in the wilderness otherwise.
    Our benches are now oozing with fresh new talent and ready to go.
    It’s gunna be frantic.

  31. 1081
    wysiwyg
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:01 pm | Permalink

    Glen, Nelson will never hear the end of SuperHornet in the new parliament, and rightly so. Why not Abbott for a while to soak up the punishment; nobody wants him anyway, so no damage done.

    BTW commiserations Glen – not for the election loss that both the country and the Libs needed, but for the loss of Mal Brough which did surprise me, when a drone like Michael Johnson can hang on so easily.

  32. 1082
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:01 pm | Permalink

    Irons will beat wilkie- i have seen the ALp scrutineer numbers

  33. 1083
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:01 pm | Permalink

    1057 Big Blind Dave Your making a common mistake of confusing a good leader with a dictator. Managers make much better leaders.

  34. 1084
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:03 pm | Permalink

    1083- Chris B

    Not mangers that divide thier workforce

  35. 1085
    paul k
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:06 pm | Permalink

    Nelson will never be PM but might be a good caretaker Leader of the Opps until they reorganise. However who ever they pick, if it’s an ex-Minister they will have baggage. Nelson with his Super Hornets or Turnbull with his Rain Machine.

  36. 1086
    George
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:07 pm | Permalink

    I’ve only just taken a look, but Bennelong is showing up as an ALP gain on the ABC site

    http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/benn.htm

    Everyone of the same opinion? Almost 80% of the vote counted. Last night Maxine was saying it was still too close, but a pretty sizable number of votes had already been counted even at that time.

  37. 1087
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:08 pm | Permalink

    SA counting apears to be over- Sturt stays with Libs by about 50 votes- pending a likely recount. It has been removed from the close seats list for this reason

  38. 1088
    SirEggo
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:08 pm | Permalink

    Update on cliffhangers:

    McEwen: ALP up by 462

    Herbert: ALP up by 460

    Dickson: ALP up by 389

    La Trobe: ALP up by 378

    Bowman: ALP up by 223

    Swan: ALP up by 185

    Macarthur: Libs up by 320

    Cowper: Nats up by 687

    Sturt removed from close seats page. I think Pyne will win.

    Bugger it.

  39. 1089
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:08 pm | Permalink

    1084 Big Blind Dave Then by definition they are not a manager.

  40. 1090
    Lose the election please
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:09 pm | Permalink

    why couldn’t it be 50 votes for Mia?

  41. 1091
    SirEggo
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:10 pm | Permalink

    The Sturt results show Pyne is 955 votes in front.

  42. 1092
    wysiwyg
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:10 pm | Permalink

    Yes SirEggo looks like lucky 13 seat gain in Qld ;)
    I did pick Flynn, but getting Dawson is awesome!

  43. 1093
    paul k
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:12 pm | Permalink

    Sunday November 25, 03:51 PM
    More heavy rainfall forecast for Qld

    Severe thunderstorms with hailstones big enough to damage cars are forecast to hit parts of southern Queensland in the next few hours.
    .
    .
    OMG the Labor Party really can make it rain.

  44. 1094
    SirEggo
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:12 pm | Permalink

    wysiwyg 1092

    You don’t think Libs could pinch it on postals and prepolls?

  45. 1095
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:12 pm | Permalink

    All booths now counted in Dickson, Latrobe and Cowper

  46. 1096
    wysiwyg
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:13 pm | Permalink

    Ooops that’s 12 in Qld of course – ABC has given Dickson already, AEC has not …

  47. 1097
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:14 pm | Permalink

    ALL POLLING PLACES COUNTED INCLUDES PREPOLLS

  48. 1098
    KT
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:15 pm | Permalink

    Ooops that’s 12 in Qld of course – ABC has given Dickson already, AEC has not …

    ABC has changed Dickson to “ALP Ahead”

  49. 1099
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:15 pm | Permalink

    Swan closes to 80 votes

  50. 1100
    SirEggo
    Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 5:16 pm | Permalink

    Well then what about postal and absentees? Could there be a lead change in the cliffhangers?

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