Rudd or Gillard?

[Wyld]

Except that you can order your own preferences?...

In the end, that doesn't really make any difference because preferences pretty much always go to one of the two major parties anyway whether you vote independent, Green, Sex Party or anyone other than Labor or Liberal/Nationals.

*facepalm*

It DOES matter. Your inability to understand how preferences work, doesn't mean it doesn't.

If decide where your vote goes. Period. The thing is, it's still to scale. If you nominate X, Y and then Z, and then X, Y or Z can't take a seat, your vote still needs to be allocated somewhere. YOU DECIDE. The greatest annoyance is people think (including you) that your vote doesn't matter. IT DOES. THAT'S WHY IT'S MANDATORY. End of day, you get to pick the path your vote goes. If your X, Y or Z doesn't form enough to get a place, your lesser choices can. You vote on "Good to Evil". It's that simple, and it does work, even in your prefered X or Y doesn't get enough to sit in a seat.

EDIT: Mark Newton had a brilliant idea on how to solve the leadership mess.

GG could settle #respill by saying, "**** it, we'll have an executive council of Ministers and NO PRIME MINISTER ANYMORE." #constitution

https://twitter.com/#!/NewtonMark/statu ... 5464167424

Sounds nice, but no. This would incorporate a MASSIVE change to our system .. and you think getting R18+ ratings for games were long winded.

[Vand]

I would actually be intrigued by something like that haha.

[Jez]

In the end, that doesn't really make any difference because preferences pretty much always go to one of the two major parties anyway whether you vote independent, Green, Sex Party or anyone other than Labor or Liberal/Nationals.

That's because the majority of people put 1 next to either Labor or the Coalition, so what you've mentioned isn't a fault, it's democracy working as intended. Though the fact that a Green got elected into the lower house at the last election shows that this trend is changing.

[Marius]

At the end of the day, people do put a high value on experience. However bad some of the major parties are sometimes... they do have experience at running a country, and are the only parties with that history.

I myself would be reluctant to see minor parties get into power as a majority because they don't have any experience with handling that responsibility. Nor do they have any experience with actually implementing policy, as opposed to simply raving about it.

I'm all for increasing their power through popular vote and be voted in in more and more numbers, as has been the trend. But to have them take majority next election? No thanks. That would be like a uni graduate getting handed the reigns of a large corporation.

That's why I always vote Labor or Liberals 1. And who is leading the party does often factor into my decisions, despite my earlier comments in this thread... being led by one person is a natural human thing, I think. That's why we have CEOs, heads of military, sports team captains etc. All of whom tend to exert significant influence on those under them.

So I can expect that while the overall party is worth taking a look at, the leader is much more than a figurehead. You'll never eliminate this from politics. On any 'executive council' it'll just default to which minister has the most important portfolio, most likely the treasurer or trade minister.

[BurntToast]

73 to 29.
Poor Kev.

[Chucky]

73 to 29.
Poor Kev.

Well I think it is safe to say the Libs will win the next election by a landslide

[Wyld]

Well I think it is safe to say the Libs will win the next election by a landslide

I don't. Over a year to go before the election .. a week is a long time in politics, let alone a month and a year.

I'm glad it's over.

Well, this part anyway.

Let's see what happens from here.

[BurntToast]

Ok apparently that was a false leak, they are still counting...
edit: never mind, Rudd got tromped but is asking for a recount for some reason.

Official
71 to 31.

[Artful-dodgeR]

Now all the ALP need to do is take Gillard out and put in someone around election time and they'll have a tiny bit more of a chance.

[Disco LT]

Bugger.

[Doctor_Jan-I-Tor]

I'm glad it's over!!...I enjoy my politics and I'm not affraid to say my views are more of the conservative nature, so you'd reckon i would have enjoyed the past weeks events...No! i found the last week to be boring, childish and overall an embarrassement for Australia! and I place the blame firmly at the feet of Rudd and his family. The way Therese and Jess were trying to inspire as Mark Latham best descirbed an "Arab Spring", and Bruce Hawker an un-elected ALP Lobbyist with his own self interest at heart, calling for the PM not to stand in the ballot was utterly disgraceful ....I'm sorry Bruce but what was today's result?..your guy was thumped into history?

Hopefully the Rudd's can now reflect upon themselves over a bowl of "Wheaties" that they are not Australia's answer to the Kennedys and they are not entitled and Canberra is not the play thing for their seriously flawed father. Get over it and prolapse your ovaries Kev, you wont be the last person to be knifed...that's politics!

...Ahhh Ive now vented and feel better.

[Jnr]

Wouldn't be surprised if K-Rudd contests again in a few months time.

As it gets closer to the election, I think a lot of labor members will realise how much more of a chance they'd have with the Ruddster instead of Gillard

[BurntToast]

Wouldn't be surprised if K-Rudd contests again in a few months time.

As it gets closer to the election, I think a lot of labor members will realise how much more of a chance they'd have with the Ruddster instead of Gillard

That seems to be a common train of thought for political know it alls at the moment.

[Jnr]

Wouldn't be surprised if K-Rudd contests again in a few months time.

As it gets closer to the election, I think a lot of labor members will realise how much more of a chance they'd have with the Ruddster instead of Gillard

That seems to be a common train of thought for political know it alls at the moment.

Yeah, if you think about it, there was a VERY minimal chance for Rudd actually succeeding today and taking over the PM role, so why else would he contest rather then to show not only the public but his fellow members he's there and set some grounds for himself on which to build his political strength and contest again in the coming months with more chance of success.I mean, this has happened in the past, and while it's not the best indication to go off, because there is a difference in circumstances and the past leadership contest ballots have been closer, it's still a good prediction.

And the closer we get to the election, the more likely Gillard's popularity will drop.

[BurntToast]

Clarification - Im saying your opinion seems to be the consensus amoung several political corespondents who seem to feel Kevin will attempt to wrest the leadership back again at some point in the future - before the next election, if Labour/Gillard cant get a better position in the polls.
Australia as a whole seem to prefer Kev as leader over Gillard, however the ALP clearly do not. At the moment, Kev seems to be the only chance Labour has to win an election against Abbot. Having said that, this is now, lots can/will happen before the next election.