Comments on: Post-match report: country Victoria

By: Jackson Crodly

Jackson Crodly — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:17:05 +0000

I was so disgusted by the actions of detestable Hakki Suleyman, an employee of Victorian Minister Justin Madden in his latest act that WILL cost the ALP votes at the next election.
This nasty piece of work with a history in the media for all the wrong reasons, was leading the calls to have Marcos Bagdatis removed from the Australian Tennis Open simply for espousing United Nations policy
That is that Turkey should get out of Cyprus. Period.
(SNIP: Possibly defamatory comment deleted – PB) he was then supported by Premier Brumbles who was also negative towards Bagdatis – amazing given what Bagdatis actually stated So theer are already rumbles within the Greek populatioon of Melbourne to cost Labor a seat or two and given how few Greek MPs there are on the Labor side, it will be easy for them to convince teh Libs to give them a crack at marginals that CAN be won.

By: Deano

Deano — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:19:11 +0000

I think the reasons behind Broadbent’s swing resistance were similar to Petro Georgio’s ability to withstand the Labour deluge – their humanitarian stand re refugee issues. I believe it’s too much of a coincidence to suggest otherwise.

By: Senate Watch

Senate Watch — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:00:49 +0000

Squiggle with all respect I think Jason has some very good contacts around the place. I have known Glen since he was a cadet on the "valley Voice" and I think his award winning display or attack on Crikey (Although justified in many circumstances" really should have been his retirement speech. Likewise IO have also known Jason since Early 1990s. The other factor that needs to be taken into consideration is that labor was a bit on the nose in Geelong following a serious of "corruption" scandals in the Geelong City Council dating as far back as early 1996 involving successive CEO's, Mayors and if the City. Some of most definitely did wash off. Your can read more on google and Andrew Landeryou's web site.

By: B.S. Fairman

B.S. Fairman — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:15:48 +0000

Milne’s article shows that he misunderstands the myth of the power of a local member. The local members who are able to boost the vote in a seat are generally either Ministers or Shadow Ministers or members that have stood against the party on ethical or local issues. This gives them a “name” that people know.
How Milne ever thought that O’Connor was going to get in front of either the ALP or Liberal Candidate is beyond me. The party machines have television ads, election workers, media coverage etc where as a local member no longer in the party only has their name which in O’Connors case was not much (shadow minister for Pacific Islands is not that higher profile role).

By: TW

TW — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:49:21 +0000

Is McGauran (member for Gippsland, not the senator) set ro retire soon?

By: Mick Quinlivan

Mick Quinlivan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:49:11 +0000

it appears labor has ongoing problems with it’s vote in the latrobe valley
this i think explains the relatively poor vote in Mcmillan & Gippsland
also I think Mr Broadbent may have a personal vote
On current boundaries both seats are still marginal

By: feral sparrowhawk

feral sparrowhawk — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:36:42 +0000

I think at least part of the swings in the east can be explained by resistance to various state government projects such as the desalination plant. However, anyone who has had much to do with the Maxfield family would not be too surprised at the Broadbent’s impressive result.

By: Mr Squiggle

Mr Squiggle — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:00:07 +0000

I have read both articles, Glen Milne and the other no-name from The Age.

Its a great shame that these two broadsheets run with such twaddle.

In Glen’s case, he appears to have had a few before submitting to the editor, although obviously acting without reference to any electoral machine seeking votes.

In the case of Jason Kantsuethis, he has obviosly had his vebal spew signed off by Moscow before submitting. I couldn’t ask for better indication of The Age is hostage to the left.

I’d rather read the comments on this blog site for informed comment

By: Antonio

Antonio — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:46:23 +0000

The swing back to Labor in Bendigo was no thanks to the sitting Labor time-server, Steve Gibbons, who does buggerall and hardly campaigned. The Liberal candidate, Peter Kennedy, worked very hard, despite little support from head office.

A good piece of pork for Bendigo, particularly related to water, and a visit or two by Howard, could have seen the libs win Bendigo – it only needed a one per cent swing, and had a tradition of going against the national trend.

But it’s good to see Catherine King re-elected in Ballarat. She is a potential minister, and works hard.

It seems demographic change is gradually pushing Bendigo and Ballarat towards safe Labor territory, both Federally and State, after they’ve both been marginal for many years. The tree-changers are helping. The Green vote is increasing too, in places like Daylesford and Castlemaine.

The swing against Sophie Mirabella in Indi is interesting. It’s not out of the question that the seat could gradually move closer to Labor in coming years, because of tree-changers, and commuters at the southern end.

By: Senate Watch

Senate Watch — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:26:01 +0000

William you really need to look ate the magnitude of the swing in the previous election. This will tell you if the swing in this elections Isa rebound or continuation of the previous swing. What might be a small swing in 2007 may have been offset by a bigger swing in 2004.