ACT Election - Does anyone care?

Mr Evil said :

rosscoact said :

Mr Evil said :

As far as I can see, the choices are –

Option A: Team Dishonest and Incompetent.

or

Option B: Team Useless and Directionless.

Option C: Team Earnest and Impractical

Option D: Team Frothing at the Mouth Hate

Option E: Team ‘Show Us Ya T#ts’, and ‘Where’s Me Bloody Dragway?’

Finally, we have a ballot paper worth looking at….

We used to home brew our own beer. It was pretty Ok – thick, strong, and slightly different in every batch. We tried to branch out into ginger beer but that experiment ended explosively (be careful how long you leave that stuff in the bottles.)

The equipment has gotten remarkably cheap in recent years. I’d recommend it to anyone vaguely interested. Also the phrase ‘Brindabella beer’ really rolls off the tongue, so that’s an advantage right there.

Mark Gibbons
Pirate Party ACT candidate for Brindabella

Good to see some of the northside candidates have answered.

Brindabella candidates, where are you?

Duffbowl said :

c_c said :

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

I’d support this, but the cynic in me says that they would just nominate whatever they thought was going to look better with the voters.

Privately: “Can’t stand beer; horrible brown bitter crap” (note: this is most definitely *not* my view)
Publicly: “Well, when I’m having a few mates around to watch the football, I drink *insert name of beer selected by media adviser*”

I’m not a big fan of most beers. I’ve had a few dark ales that I didn’t mind, but I prefer to stick with cider or perry, which is increasingly easy to do these days with most good pubs having a cider on tap now, or at least a choice of something other than strongbow in bottles.
I also like to homebrew cider, ginger beer and lemonade. I missed the last ACT Beekeepers meeting and the chance to try some mead there, but they included the recipe in the most recent newsletter, so I might try that as my next brew.

I’m not a fan of watching sports either. I’ve always preferred to be playing than watching, but I don’t tend to do that much either. The last sport I regularly played was junior aussie rules for the Queanbeyan Tigers (quit after the U16s season), and the most recent sport I had a go at was a ride day at Wakefield a few months ago on my ’91 FZR1000, but I’ve got no interest in actual racing.
On the topic of racing, I’d like it if Canberra had a race circuit, and as I said in my Lego video, it could also be used as a training facility.

Glen Takkenberg
Pirate Party ACT for Ginninderra

Matt_Watts said :

poetix said :

Matt_Watts said :

…

But Canberra’s variety, including its bars and beers, can’t be beat IMHO.

Just when you’re warming to someone they come out with hokum like this…Have ye never heard of Melbourne? Let alone places in other countries?

Used to work in The Rocks, have visited Melbourne quite a few times. Still, I genuinely feel more connected to people I’ve met in Canberra’s bars – only to be expected because I’ve spent most time here!

Never warmed to Melbourne probably solely based on the fact that it thinks it’s ‘so not up itself like Sydney’, except it is. It couldn’t not be. Everyone knows someone who bemoans the fact they can’t live in Melbourne. Well begone I say. I could and would live in other places, but heck I really like Canberra right now. In a strange way I feel happy that we have nothing as serious to vote on like the other basket cases around the country.

Anyway…..Candidates…..are you getting the message here? we are somewhat over it. Need to change the way you engage and deliver your messages. If the Libs don’t win this time, please follow up with wholesale change starting at the top. And if Labor and the mad greenies get back in, then maybe try whinging a bit less and just put your noses to the grind stone.

poetix said :

Matt_Watts said :

…

But Canberra’s variety, including its bars and beers, can’t be beat IMHO.

Just when you’re warming to someone they come out with hokum like this…Have ye never heard of Melbourne? Let alone places in other countries?

Ha, yeah, but it’s the people. Used to work in The Rocks, have visited Melbourne quite a few times. Still, I genuinely feel more connected to people I’ve met in Canberra’s bars – only to be expected because I’ve spent most time here!

I too am thoroughly unimpressed, although I know how I’ll vote. It just looks like a bunch of hypocritical children pulling each others hair to me.

Matt_Watts said :

…

But Canberra’s variety, including its bars and beers, can’t be beat IMHO.

Just when you’re warming to someone they come out with hokum like this…Have ye never heard of Melbourne? Let alone places in other countries?

XXXX Sovereign, the Fosters Lager of Brisbane. Marks deducted, GA.
Eumundi Lager; CUB ceased brewing it in 2009, and only revived earlier this year by a brewer on the Sunshine Coast. The brewery and winery is now on the market, so it’s probably a dead label again.
XXXX Gold; it’s mid-strength swill, but very easy to drink in the tropics.
While I love Canberra’s two operational commerical breweries, it’s a bit of a stretch to say our bar scene can’t be beaten.

Gungahlin Al said :

Duffbowl said :

c_c said :

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

I’d support this, but the cynic in me says that they would just nominate whatever they thought was going to look better with the voters.

Privately: “Can’t stand beer; horrible brown bitter crap” (note: this is most definitely *not* my view)
Publicly: “Well, when I’m having a few mates around to watch the football, I drink *insert name of beer selected by media adviser*”

When I watch the footy by myself because the wife isn’t interested and all the Cowboys and Broncos games are always on late, I drink whatever beer is in the fridge. Or wine.
I miss XXXX Sovereign, of which I doubt any of you have ever heard. And Eumundi Lager (de facto home town).

I’ve heard of the XXXX Sovereign, but not Eumundi Lager.

I find there’s a lot of the “when in Rome…” factor. When I was in Derby, north west WA, XXXX Gold was very popular. And I figure you should drink what the locals drink, because they’d be drinking it for a reason (in this instance, you wouldn’t want full strength or you’d be off your perch as a result of the heat).

It also makes shouts easier.

Derby was an awesome place to visit, come to think of it. If you could manage the humbugging, life was good.

But Canberra’s variety, including its bars and beers, can’t be beat IMHO.

rosscoact said :

Mr Evil said :

As far as I can see, the choices are –

Option A: Team Dishonest and Incompetent.

or

Option B: Team Useless and Directionless.

Option C: Team Earnest and Impractical

Option D: Team Frothing at the Mouth Hate

Option E: Team ‘Show Us Ya T#ts’, and ‘Where’s Me Bloody Dragway?’

JC said :

pepmeup said :

this may help decide some votes:

http://citynews.com.au/2012/labor-blow-ratepayer-body-confirms-rates-will-triple/

have you got the spare cash to pay triple rates?

will your landlord pass these fees straight onto you?

can you afford another 4 years of ALP/Greens Gov? I know I cant

As I wrote in the thread about this specific issue… here

http://region.com.au/ratepayers-association-joins-forces-with-the-liberals-on-that-tripling-thing/84238

It is interesting to note that the table in the link below that shows how rates will triple doesn’t actually show the scale for the years. How convenient that has been left off. Now assuming each line represents 1 year that means the tripling will happen over a 20 year period. It also shows a doubling in 10 years.

Now thinking back when I brought my house 12 years ago my annual rates were about half what they are now, so to me the table just shows the “normal” state of affairs, but yep it does look bad as a headline.

The timframes aren’t legislated.

pepmeup said :

this may help decide some votes:

http://citynews.com.au/2012/labor-blow-ratepayer-body-confirms-rates-will-triple/

have you got the spare cash to pay triple rates?

will your landlord pass these fees straight onto you?

can you afford another 4 years of ALP/Greens Gov? I know I cant

As I wrote in the thread about this specific issue… here

http://region.com.au/ratepayers-association-joins-forces-with-the-liberals-on-that-tripling-thing/84238

It is interesting to note that the table in the link below that shows how rates will triple doesn’t actually show the scale for the years. How convenient that has been left off. Now assuming each line represents 1 year that means the tripling will happen over a 20 year period. It also shows a doubling in 10 years.

Now thinking back when I brought my house 12 years ago my annual rates were about half what they are now, so to me the table just shows the “normal” state of affairs, but yep it does look bad as a headline.

this may help decide some votes:

http://citynews.com.au/2012/labor-blow-ratepayer-body-confirms-rates-will-triple/

have you got the spare cash to pay triple rates?

will your landlord pass these fees straight onto you?

can you afford another 4 years of ALP/Greens Gov? I know I cant

Madam Cholet

I do wonder what else is making us so ‘over it’ though – is it because we’ve had enough of the feds already, or is it because life is just good in Canberra and you don’t really have to care too much?

+100

Mr Evil said :

As far as I can see, the choices are –

Option A: Team Dishonest and Incompetent.

or

Option B: Team Useless and Directionless.

Option C: Team Earnest and Impractical

Option D: Team Frothing at the Mouth Hate

As far as I can see, the choices are –

Option A: Team Dishonest and Incompetent.

or

Option B: Team Useless and Directionless.

I’m in Ginninderra. Does anyone have any idea who Emmanuel Ezekial Hart is or what his policies are?

Norm Gyngell has a site that basically says “Labor, Libs and Greens are hopeless” but tells us nothing about what he thinks about anything other than that.

Matt_Watts said :

Obviously, at the Wig and Pen and Zierholz, I’d be drinking a boutique beer. I taste all the beers, but normally it’s Rumpole and Porter, respectively.

Gotta love the Rumpole. Had it a few weeks ago and dying to go and have another one. It’s a little beauty. May affect my vote if I have too much!

Duffbowl said :

c_c said :

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

I’d support this, but the cynic in me says that they would just nominate whatever they thought was going to look better with the voters.

Privately: “Can’t stand beer; horrible brown bitter crap” (note: this is most definitely *not* my view)
Publicly: “Well, when I’m having a few mates around to watch the football, I drink *insert name of beer selected by media adviser*”

When I watch the footy by myself because the wife isn’t interested and all the Cowboys and Broncos games are always on late, I drink whatever beer is in the fridge. Or wine.
I miss XXXX Sovereign, of which I doubt any of you have ever heard. And Eumundi Lager (de facto home town).

c_c said :

Matt_Watts said :

c_c said :

Such an uninspiring bunch, the issues so predictable. Can’t say I find it very compelling.

On a side note, as all the candidates seem to do is stand behind their leaders nodding rather than exercising independent thought, any idea what beer Mr Maftoum is drinking (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391515560922431&set=a.270257356381586.62231.241956942544961&type=1&theater)

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

And are you seriously not considering voting for me? Geez…!

Do tell us what’s in your glass and I’ll consider it…

I like variety, and I’ve been known to choose drinks based on where I am at the time.

Obviously, at the Wig and Pen and Zierholz, I’d be drinking a boutique beer. I taste all the beers, but normally it’s Rumpole and Porter, respectively.

In bars with access to general stock I generally mix it around depending on how I feel.

I enjoy a bit of whisky/ whiskey tasting, too.

I don’t do shots (well… I think they’re banned under the current laws anyway, aren’t they?) and the only mixed drink I go for is a Rusty Nail.

Matt_Watts said :

c_c said :

Such an uninspiring bunch, the issues so predictable. Can’t say I find it very compelling.

On a side note, as all the candidates seem to do is stand behind their leaders nodding rather than exercising independent thought, any idea what beer Mr Maftoum is drinking (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391515560922431&set=a.270257356381586.62231.241956942544961&type=1&theater)

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

And are you seriously not considering voting for me? Geez…!

Do tell us what’s in your glass and I’ll consider it…

c_c said :

Such an uninspiring bunch, the issues so predictable. Can’t say I find it very compelling.

On a side note, as all the candidates seem to do is stand behind their leaders nodding rather than exercising independent thought, any idea what beer Mr Maftoum is drinking (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391515560922431&set=a.270257356381586.62231.241956942544961&type=1&theater)

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

And are you seriously not considering voting for me? Geez…!

joingler said :

I’m actually excited in the election. Probably because it’s the first ACT election since I moved here in winter 09.

I’m assumming no one would bother to broadcast the counting of the polls as we are just a small area. Is there anywhere we can go to observe the counting and live results (yes I am aware of the fact I have no life)

The ABC will be doing full TV coverage of the election, I believe on ABC24.

I’ll vote as I usually do – for the candidates I think are the least hypocritical and will do the least damage.

But I’m completely not impressed to the point I don’t even know what date the election is.

Agreed, essentially it is an expensive local council election..In the dark past parties such as ‘No Self-Government’ actually got members elected, making it somewhat farcical..

c_c said :

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

I’d support this, but the cynic in me says that they would just nominate whatever they thought was going to look better with the voters.

Privately: “Can’t stand beer; horrible brown bitter crap” (note: this is most definitely *not* my view)
Publicly: “Well, when I’m having a few mates around to watch the football, I drink *insert name of beer selected by media adviser*”

Madam Cholet said :

Good one! I’d vote on that! Could it be Little Creatures?

Most likely. Off the top of my head, can’t think of another mainstream beer with that colour neck label.

Karl is one of the nodding heads; never heard the bloke speak, haven’t seen him around, except for the signs on the side of the road.

What? People don’t think Po the Cock won’t get up enroute to his destiny of being our supreme leader?

c_c said :

Such an uninspiring bunch, the issues so predictable. Can’t say I find it very compelling.

On a side note, as all the candidates seem to do is stand behind their leaders nodding rather than exercising independent thought, any idea what beer Mr Maftoum is drinking (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391515560922431&set=a.270257356381586.62231.241956942544961&type=1&theater)

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

Good one! I’d vote on that! Could it be Little Creatures?

Such an uninspiring bunch, the issues so predictable. Can’t say I find it very compelling.

On a side note, as all the candidates seem to do is stand behind their leaders nodding rather than exercising independent thought, any idea what beer Mr Maftoum is drinking (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391515560922431&set=a.270257356381586.62231.241956942544961&type=1&theater)

RA should seriously poll all the candidates on their beer choices, might just be the best way to actually know who to vote for.

I’m actually excited in the election. Probably because it’s the first ACT election since I moved here in winter 09.

I’m assumming no one would bother to broadcast the counting of the polls as we are just a small area. Is there anywhere we can go to observe the counting and live results (yes I am aware of the fact I have no life)

Ok pirate Pete, I’m looking for somewhere to put my vote. Convince me it won’t be wasted. How the heck would you keep whoever gets government accountable…. If that’s what you are aiming for? My vote will be lost to the major parties if I just vote for your mob, but is that the way to go if I am disillusioned with what’s on offer? Or should I fill in the other boxes to make sure my vote goes somewhere in the end but is still a protest?

I’m usually an election junkie…hell I will sit up and watch the counts for state elections I don’t even live in, I usually refuse to leave the house on Federal Election night and sit flipping around all the coverage. I once lined up for half a day just to be one of the first people to get into the National Tally Room. I actually consider that to be one of the most fun evenings I have ever had.

I was a scrutineer in a Queensland state election (although I wouldn’t do that again, it took me away from seeing what was happening in the rest of the State)

I avidly follow the US, UK, Kiwi, Indian and even the Indonesian elections.

But this election…I have never felt so ‘whatever’ in my life. It is just really failing to interest me. I haven’t even engaged in my usual discussions with candidates at the shops on a Saturday morning.

My postal ballot arrived in the mail today. Still not sure if it is going to have anything at all marked on it when I send it back on Monday.

Deref said :

It’s a bloody shame the Sex Party isn’t running candidates. I reckon they’d clean up – and we’d have a much more competent government.

Not hard to explain why: the sex industry has been legal in Canberra for enough years that Fiona Patten’s rhetoric on the merits of good sex – healthy provided it’s paid for and involves expensive toys – and the merits of mediocre middle-class porn has been debunked. And as for her old claims that the Canberra sex industry has never trafficked women or involved hard drugs … spuriously never taken seriously. The sex industry needs to stay on the margins so it doesn’t get pushed further into nasty territory; and the community should focus on keeping SE Asian women safe from trafficking and indentured labour or slavery.
Oh and anyone interested in Fiona’s Sex Party/Eros Association hagiography (feel free to spot a pun there) will be able to check out a play during the Canberra Centenary on the topic of these sterling community leaders and their contribution to the common good. Oddly enough, I understand the play doesn’t go into the most interesting part of the history of Robbie Swan and Fiona Patten, and their sidekick “Turbo”, involving blackmailing a federal politician who had visited a sex shop in Fyshwick with his partner- in a hypocritical attempt to pressure Parliament to screen (yawn) the aforementioned porn films in the Parliamentary Triangle. The blackmailing episode is the reason they were run out of town and stayed away for years, and still no federal politician will go near them.

It’s a bloody shame the Sex Party isn’t running candidates. I reckon they’d clean up – and we’d have a much more competent government.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The more I have heard, the more the pirates make me want to vote for them, but not enough yet.
Instead I think I will be drawing dongers in every box.

If you have time the scrutineers do enjoy inventive invective

caf said :

chewy14 said :

caf said :

You may number as few or as many squares as you wish. Your vote will only ever be counted for candidates that you have numbered. If none of those candidates end up elected then your vote is counted as “exhausted”.

You’ve still got to vote for a minimum of five in Ginninderra and Brindabella and 7 in Molonglo though.

Then it’s your choice if you continue numbering after that.

No, you don’t. The Electoral Commission says:

You should fill in at least as many squares as there are vacancies in your electorate: 7 for Molonglo, 5 for Brindabella or Ginninderra.

If you don’t fill in this many squares (even if you vote for only one candidate) your vote will still be counted. However, to make the most of your vote, we suggest you continue to fill in the squares until all your preferences are recorded. You may fill in every square if you wish.

Ah interesting, I only looked at the sample ballot paper which contradicts this. Will this advice be.given to voters at the polling place seeing as the ballot paper says something different?

Madam Cholet said :

chewy14 said :

‘Be the change you want to see’

Stuart Biggs
Pirate Party ACT for Molonglo

I’m all for that, but do you think you’ll get people to make the change when you call yourselves The Pirate Party?

Pirate Parties have been elected in Germany, Sweden and other European countries, and there is no reason why we can’t replicate their success here.

Glen Takkenberg
Pirate Party ACT for Ginninderra

The more I have heard, the more the pirates make me want to vote for them, but not enough yet.
Instead I think I will be drawing dongers in every box.

chewy14 said :

‘Be the change you want to see’

Stuart Biggs
Pirate Party ACT for Molonglo

I’m all for that, but do you think you’ll get people to make the change when you call yourselves The Pirate Party?

I had a flyer from an independent candidate in my mailbox the other day, and whilst I’d like to support him, (and that would depend if I liked the cut of his jib), it’s pointless because I don’t know anything about him, who he favours in terms of the two main parties and I also think that it’s probably too small a region to sustain independents.

At the end of the day, it really boils down to apathy because life is good. And even if it’s not good for you right now, is anything going to change if you change the Gov?

rosscoact said :

chewy14 said :

We all know the end result will most likely be 7 ALP – 7 Libs – 3 Greens with Labor getting back in minority government.
The apathy probably has to do with the choices, the policies, the candidates and the significant rusted on nature of Canberra voters.

Libs polling would differ I think.

8-6-2-1 Would that be right Matt?

It’s certainly feeling more positive from a Lib perspective than 2008, but I honestly have no idea.

First rule of running a campaign is to get the candidates out there.

You see, giving polling results to candidates is a bit like medical results over the phone; shouldn’t happen. Every time you need results from a doctor, they tell you to come in, because if they were to tell you only good news over the phone, as soon as a patient is asked to come into the doctor’s office the patient will assume horrible news (and in a patient’s context, they may do something silly like panic).

Imagine demotivating your candidates by telling them bad news. Or having them assume bad news in the absence of any polling. If they’re demotivated, they may not go out and campaign. Answer: just don’t tell them.

I remember one election in NSW from years ago. I heard the campign manager tell the candidate he was in with a shot. Nowhere close. Yet that candidate was motivated and his end result was better than it would otherwise have been (and, in that context, it helped that seat’s upper house vote – so there was a reason, it wasn’t simply cruel).

Might happen in some cases, like the leader and deputy perhaps, but shouldn’t happen for the common party candidate, IMHO.

The random nature of Hare Clarke and Robson Rotation in any event would make the exact outcome a difficult thing to predict.

rosscoact said :

chewy14 said :

We all know the end result will most likely be 7 ALP – 7 Libs – 3 Greens with Labor getting back in minority government.
The apathy probably has to do with the choices, the policies, the candidates and the significant rusted on nature of Canberra voters.

Libs polling would differ I think.

8-6-2-1 Would that be right Matt?

Perhaps – Molonglo will probably be 3/3/1. Ginninderra and Brindabella are tossups. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Greens lose their Brindabella and Ginninderra seats. If Chic Henry does get through in Ginninderra the last seat of Brindabella would probably decide the election. Val Jeffery is probably their best bet.

rosscoact said :

chewy14 said :

We all know the end result will most likely be 7 ALP – 7 Libs – 3 Greens with Labor getting back in minority government.
The apathy probably has to do with the choices, the policies, the candidates and the significant rusted on nature of Canberra voters.

Libs polling would differ I think.

8-6-2-1 Would that be right Matt?

I can see the 8-6 happening although I still think the 7-7 is more likely but who’s the 1? Chic Henry?

chewy14 said :

We all know the end result will most likely be 7 ALP – 7 Libs – 3 Greens with Labor getting back in minority government.
The apathy probably has to do with the choices, the policies, the candidates and the significant rusted on nature of Canberra voters.

Well, I certainly am hoping for a different result!
One of the most challenging parts of ACT elections I have found is combating voter apathy.
I would urge all of the disenfranchised electors to liven things up a little by placing a number in every box, but if you are dissatisfied with the major parties, assign your preferences to everybody else first. A colleague of mine likes to do this because that way their vote ‘gets a really good workout’.

For the original poster – Pirate Party ACT policies are located here for your perusal.

http://actpirates.org.au/index.php/policies

‘Be the change you want to see’

Stuart Biggs
Pirate Party ACT for Molonglo

chewy14 said :

We all know the end result will most likely be 7 ALP – 7 Libs – 3 Greens with Labor getting back in minority government.
The apathy probably has to do with the choices, the policies, the candidates and the significant rusted on nature of Canberra voters.

Libs polling would differ I think.

8-6-2-1 Would that be right Matt?

We all know the end result will most likely be 7 ALP – 7 Libs – 3 Greens with Labor getting back in minority government.
The apathy probably has to do with the choices, the policies, the candidates and the significant rusted on nature of Canberra voters.

Brianna said :

Thanks for that information. I am fed up with the major parties but the problem I also have is that whatever party I vote for, if they don’t win outright, my votes are syphoned off to whoever THEY choose……..I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t……….

Political parties in the ACT have no say in how your votes are distributed after the candidate(s) you voted for are excluded, as we don’t have any ‘above the line’ voting like the federal senate.
Most parties are not advising people to preference for anyone other than their own parties.

If you mark 5 or 7 candidates and they all get excluded, your vote is ‘exhausted’ and doesn’t count for anyone.

Glen Takkenberg
Pirate Party ACT for Ginninderra

chewy14 said :

caf said :

You may number as few or as many squares as you wish. Your vote will only ever be counted for candidates that you have numbered. If none of those candidates end up elected then your vote is counted as “exhausted”.

You’ve still got to vote for a minimum of five in Ginninderra and Brindabella and 7 in Molonglo though.

Then it’s your choice if you continue numbering after that.

No, you don’t. The Electoral Commission says:

You should fill in at least as many squares as there are vacancies in your electorate: 7 for Molonglo, 5 for Brindabella or Ginninderra.

If you don’t fill in this many squares (even if you vote for only one candidate) your vote will still be counted. However, to make the most of your vote, we suggest you continue to fill in the squares until all your preferences are recorded. You may fill in every square if you wish.

Deref said :

I’m astounded at how many people posting here have no idea whatsoever of how the voting system works in the ACT.

Perhaps there is a case for requiring voters to have a basic understanding of the process before letting them in. I suspect it’d be a win for everyone.

Or perhaps there is a case for democracy. In which all citizens can vote, not just the smug people who can explain the Hare-Clark electoral system.

don’t vote; it only encourages them…

Gungahlin Al said :

On Liberals – Christine Milne was in the Greens in Tasmania and put the Liberals into government then. It can/has happened. But as others have pointed out elsewhere, the posturing by the Liberals hasn’t exactly set up a conducive environment for such negotiations. Not exactly a forward-thinking mob are they?

The Greens posturing on non-government education pretty much guarantees no deal with the Liberals, not to mention the syringes for convicted criminals crapola.

Gungahlin Al said :

….the posturing by the Liberals hasn’t exactly set up a conducive environment for such negotiations. Not exactly a forward-thinking mob are they?

I agree, they don’t put themselves out to be a choice of negotiating partner and was talking about that very same thing with Mr Cholet just last week.

It’s not been a great path for Labor to take either Federally or locally as it can temper what they want to achieve somewhat.

I do wonder what else is making us so ‘over it’ though – is it because we’ve had enough of the feds already, or is it because life is just good in Canberra and you don’t really have to care too much?

Deref said :

I’m astounded at how many people posting here have no idea whatsoever of how the voting system works in the ACT.

Perhaps there is a case for requiring voters to have a basic understanding of the process before letting them in. I suspect it’d be a win for everyone.

That’s the good thing about the electronic version available in the pre-poll. I hit a wrong button in my haste and it least it said, ‘You’re about to be a dick and throw away your vote — are you sure you want to continue, Einstein?’

I may be paraphrasing here. Bottom line is that it would have let me go ahead and do that if that was my wont (which it ain’t).

But you’re right. There is a fundamental ignorance in the community about how to vote. I wish I had a dollar for every person of 18 years and above who’s told me with authority that a ‘donkey vote’ is an informal vote.

It ain’t.

caf said :

Brianna said :

Thanks for that information. I am fed up with the major parties but the problem I also have is that whatever party I vote for, if they don’t win outright, my votes are syphoned off to whoever THEY choose……..I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t……….

That is not the case in an ACT Legislative Assembly election. Under this system the parties have absolutely no say in how anyone’s vote is allocated.

You may number as few or as many squares as you wish. Your vote will only ever be counted for candidates that you have numbered. If none of those candidates end up elected then your vote is counted as “exhausted”.

You’ve still got to vote for a minimum of five in Ginninderra and Brindabella and 7 in Molonglo though.

Then it’s your choice if you continue numbering after that.

http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/2012_act_legislative_assembly_election/2012_act_legislative_assembly_sample_ballot_papers

I’m astounded at how many people posting here have no idea whatsoever of how the voting system works in the ACT.

Perhaps there is a case for requiring voters to have a basic understanding of the process before letting them in. I suspect it’d be a win for everyone.

PantsMan said :

If I’m still in Canberra and forced to vote in 2016, just kill me.

My sentiments exactly.

I’m happy give you directions to the roads out of town.

Wow I’m not sure how one deals with apathy like this. But sure there’s a degree of lacklustre about the ALP and Liberal campaigns.

But I would have thought that the reality of going into this election with two parties agreeing to build light rail (with the other yet to cough up anything on the issue) is the sort of fundamental change that could be the remaking of Canberra. It’s a massive shift from previous elections, and I’m really excited about it.

On no-one “winning” – well we had a majority winner in the ALP from 2004-2008 and how’d that work out? Not too brilliant at all as I recall. We have a single house parliament – that makes a majority government something to be avoided. Just ask the thousands of people without jobs and core services in the single-house-parliament Queensland now.

On Liberals – Christine Milne was in the Greens in Tasmania and put the Liberals into government then. It can/has happened. But as others have pointed out elsewhere, the posturing by the Liberals hasn’t exactly set up a conducive environment for such negotiations. Not exactly a forward-thinking mob are they?

Haven’t been as disinterested in an election as this in my lifetime. Couldn’t even tell you when it is on. Thankfully I live close to a polling place so hopefully I won’t forget to vote.

It’s a pity we only get slogans, snipes and soundbites. Having actual leadership and statesmanship would be good.

Brianna said :

Thanks for that information. I am fed up with the major parties but the problem I also have is that whatever party I vote for, if they don’t win outright, my votes are syphoned off to whoever THEY choose……..I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t……….

That is not the case in an ACT Legislative Assembly election. Under this system the parties have absolutely no say in how anyone’s vote is allocated.

You may number as few or as many squares as you wish. Your vote will only ever be counted for candidates that you have numbered. If none of those candidates end up elected then your vote is counted as “exhausted”.

to be honest I am more interested in what I’ll be having for lunch today.

Keijidosha said :

My feelings about our choices in the upcoming election are best summarised by this South Park clip.

Hahahahaha! It’s funny because it’s true!

pirate_taco said :

What many people mean when they say donkey vote, is actually an informal vote, which is getting your name marked off the roll but not filling out a ballot, getting a paper form and just scribbling on it, or any other way of not filling out the form correctly.
These are not counted as a vote, but are measured (just subtract the number of formal votes from the numbers of people who were marked as voted)
The last federal election there was a large increase in informal voting, which was seen as a protest against both sides.

Thanks for that information. I am fed up with the major parties but the problem I also have is that whatever party I vote for, if they don’t win outright, my votes are syphoned off to whoever THEY choose……..I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t……….

A donkey vote would be voting 1,2,3,4 etc in order, giving a valid vote, but not caring about who you voted for.
The robson rotation system used in the ACT is designed to combat the impact of donkey votes, though the column order of parties doesn’t change. Past voting data shows that the donkey vote hasn’t had a large impact.

What many people mean when they say donkey vote, is actually an informal vote, which is getting your name marked off the roll but not filling out a ballot, getting a paper form and just scribbling on it, or any other way of not filling out the form correctly.
These are not counted as a vote, but are measured (just subtract the number of formal votes from the numbers of people who were marked as voted)
The last federal election there was a large increase in informal voting, which was seen as a protest against both sides.

Brianna said :

Agreed. Seems that neither party has anything to offer. Yes, peitab, it will be one loses less than the other. A complete farce. What happens with donkey votes? Are they completely discounted or do they automatically go as a vote to the current party?

Donkeys are “not counted toward any candidate but are set aside.”
http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/informal_voting/

peitab said :

I’m of the understanding that donkey votes are completely discounted, but happy to be corrected on this!

I always thought a donkey vote (ie, just numbering the boxes 1, 2, 3, 4, etc from top to bottom) was counted as a legitimate vote. There’s no possible way they can determine whether the voter just did it that way as a protest or because they don’t care, or if the voter has genuinely ranked the candidates in their order of preference and it coincidentally matches the order on the ballot. Discounting donkey votes would prevent people who actually wanted to vote that way from voting at all, which would have to be unconstitutional, surely…?

Madam Cholet said :

Aren’t the Greens (Fed, Territory or State of some description) on record as saying they would never side with the Liberals in a pink fit?

I believe Bob Brown recommended to the ACT Greens in 2008 to side with Liberals in order to gain ministerial positions, and the ACT Greens decided not to take that advice.
Without Bob Brown leading the Greens anymore, I doubt they’d have many advocates to side with Liberals.

If Pirate Party ACT was given the balance of power, and had to choose one side or the other in order for a government to form, I’d struggle to call which way we would go. We would need to take the offers given to us and hold a ballot amongst our membership base to decide.
I’m not even sure yet which of the two majors I’ll put last on my ballot on the 20th.

I feel your apathy towards the incumbents, and that’s why I’m running.

Glen Takkenberg
Pirate Party ACT for Ginninderra

Brianna said :

Agreed. Seems that neither party has anything to offer. Yes, peitab, it will be one loses less than the other. A complete farce. What happens with donkey votes? Are they completely discounted or do they automatically go as a vote to the current party?

I’m of the understanding that donkey votes are completely discounted, but happy to be corrected on this!

If you don’t want to vote then don’t vote. Make a stand, refuse to vote then refuse to pay the fine and serve your time loudly.

To quote Richard Yates “It’s a disease. Nobody thinks or feels or cares any more; nobody gets excited or believes in anything except their own comfortable little God damn mediocrity.”

Team Katy or Zed Instead? I think that says it all. They think they can apply slogans to make us feel all fuzzy about them. I think it will be close because of the tiredness of Labor and the waning star of The Greens that will in turn give the Libs a boost. The Greens will again hold the winning hand in deciding who they go with and they will again go with Labor. Aren’t the Greens (Fed, Territory or State of some description) on record as saying they would never side with the Liberals in a pink fit?

It’s a shame that no other party will win on its merits instead of winning on dwindling support for the incumbent. I know, I know, parties lose elections, they don’t win them, but there has to be some recognition of good policy. Even if they had any good policy it’s not easy to find out what it is amongst all the whingeing they do against each other.

Agreed. Seems that neither party has anything to offer. Yes, peitab, it will be one loses less than the other. A complete farce. What happens with donkey votes? Are they completely discounted or do they automatically go as a vote to the current party?

Don’t blame me, I voted for Kodos.

Meh.

peitab said :

+1

I completely agree, and I usually love following the Legislative Assembly shenanigans that approximate state-based politics.

I’m convinced that there won’t actually be a winning political party this time – it’s just that one party will lose less than the others. It’ll be interesting to see how many people don’t bother to vote, or donkey vote this time. Any money says the proportion will be greater than the last few elections.

Liberals will “win”, however, they will not get a majority, and the Labor/Greens cabal will inflict themselves on us for another four years.

+1

I completely agree, and I usually love following the Legislative Assembly shenanigans that approximate state-based politics.

I’m convinced that there won’t actually be a winning political party this time – it’s just that one party will lose less than the others. It’ll be interesting to see how many people don’t bother to vote, or donkey vote this time. Any money says the proportion will be greater than the last few elections.

If I’m still in Canberra and forced to vote in 2016, just kill me.

My feelings about our choices in the upcoming election are best summarised by this South Park clip.

Slightly ashamed to agree with you PigDog, but I agree. +1