Comments on: Darwinian evolution

By: William Bowe

William Bowe — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:33:12 +0000

By: dartboard

dartboard — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:39:01 +0000

With regards to council elections, both parties have yet to “formally” cross the line and put up branded candidates for Mayor or Alderman.

The Greens have been the first and only ones to do so and thats why they got second in the Alice.

While each side may have favourites for election, any of the Mayors will tell you they are “100%” independent.

A classic is John Bailey, previously Labour MLA and now Alderman. Peter Adamson while previously CLP wasnt supported by them while campaigning. Ex-Aldermen Jo Sangster and Garry Lambert are now CLP candidates, but not recognised as such during their council elections.

Two cases come to mind where the line has been clearly approached this year, in Darwin – Kerrie Kyriacou for Alderman, and in Palmerston, Brendan Cabray for Mayor.

Maybe next time, and the Greens will be third again.

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:16:40 +0000

It is significant that in the March local Govt elections in Alice springs, after preferences were distributed, the Greens candidate for Mayor came second of 8. This is a huge shift in attitude for Alice Springs – and labor has never polled that well – so apart from disgruntled labor, there must be some disgruntled CLP’s and maybe even some genuine people who could think for themselves.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:44:27 +0000

… you have to take note of the shift in debate and the rise of the Green vote.

People might take the Greens vote seriously when it stops being composed almost entirely of disgruntled ALP voters.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:43:08 +0000

… you have to take note of the shift in debate and the rise of the Green vote.

K David: Port Darwin has worse turnover than other seats because more and more it’s dominated by flats and apartments. A substantial portion of the electorate changes every six months, not to mention every 4 years!

By: Antony Green

Antony Green — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:17:42 +0000

It’s not something i’ve deliberately done. It is clearly a factor, as in the other three seats.

By: K David

K David — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:58:00 +0000

Sorry Antony I was not very clear. In your “Key Seats” guide Brennan, Goyder and Drysdale as having the benifit of incumbency in their assesment and this is not mentioned in Port Darwin.

I was wondering if this was an oversite or you think that incumbency is not a great factor in the seat.

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:05:55 +0000

I think Antony Green needs to make comment about the proposed uranium exploration 21km from Alice Springs. This is having a huge impact on the direction of election debate. Whilst in the end nothing will alter the fact the Country Liberals will win the 3 urban seats, you have to take note of the shift in debate and the rise of the Green vote. The next few elections in the southern region could very well change the traditional outcome quite soon.

By: dartboard

dartboard — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:49:20 +0000

Word from the SMS texts in the NT news is that polling has been done in Fong Lim.

For who and what result?

By: Just Me

Just Me — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:18:03 +0000

Bookies say there is little money going on the CLP, the vast bulk is on Labor. They expect Labor to lose a small number of seats, but definitely not the election.