Election 2022 (Poll added)

[ElwoodBlues1]

I've been meaning to comment on this post and your courage in making such a bold prediction EB.  Even the seasoned poltical analysts wouldn't have been brave enough to make such a call.

So, how have we ended up?

Labor has won 75 seats and is leading in Macnamara by 22% so there’s little doubt that Labor will be a majority government.  On the way, the Liberals lost 10 seats to Labor, 6 to independents, and 2 to the Greens.  Labor lost one seat to an independent (but there's a question mark over that candidate's eligibility.

The Senate still has a way to go but at this stage the Liberals will have 29 senators, Labor will have 26, the Greens will have 12, the Nationals will have 3 (plus their Queensland LNP senators counted as Liberals), the Lambie Network will have 2, PHON will have two, David Pocock will be a senator and UAP could have 1 senator.

Nick Xenophon didn’t get any traction, and I think that was predictable given his past history and failure to deliver on anything.
David Pocock’s election is a bit of a surprise but probably not if you live in Canberra.

So, what does that all mean?

The Teal independents will have virtually no influence; Labor won’t need them in the House of Reps and they aren’t represented in the Senate.

Labor won’t have a majority in the Senate but will be able to pass legislation with the support of the Greens.  A quick look at David Pocock’s platform suggests that he would support most government legislation.

Of course, Labor could also pass legislation with the support of the Liberals. The Nationals, PHON, Lambie Network and UAP senators, and David Pocock, will be largely irrelevant.

While the Teal independents played a major role in consigning the happy clapper's pitiful excuse for a government to the rubbish bin of history, they will have limited opportunities to have an impact in the House of Reps.  It will be interesting to see how their impotence plays out at the next election.  Of course, independents Andrew Wilkie, Helen Haines and Zali Steggall all won their seats with increased majorities despite not being in a position to influence the previous government.

Actually, I'm very pleased that Zali Steggall was re-elected; anyone who can end the political career of the Budgie Smuggler deserves a couple of terms in Parliament 

DJ, couldn't stand Abbott as I have said previously, his religious mania with regards abortion and banning drugs used for serious illness for women was horrendous self centered politics.
Brother Abbott we are well rid off in Parliament...

[LP]

You are taking the p!55 right?

No not at all, I have no sense of humour.

[DJC]

DJ, couldn't stand Abbott as I have said previously, his religious mania with regards abortion and banning drugs used for serious illness for women was horrendous self centered politics.
Brother Abbott we are well rid off in Parliament...

I’m all for greater diversity in our Parliaments; they should reflect our population.  However, that shouldn’t extend to decision making based on personal religious beliefs.

At least we are largely spared the hypocrisy of politicians praying over preventable tragedies.

[ElwoodBlues1]

I’m all for greater diversity in our Parliaments; they should reflect our population.  However, that shouldn’t extend to decision making based on personal religious beliefs.

At least we are largely spared the hypocrisy of politicians praying over preventable tragedies.

Then you have the other side of it with these Church entities that operate as charities but in reality are profitable business ventures but don't pay tax and get politicians as members to keep it that way..

[Mav]

How is the "Church" of Scientology even a Church?

[DJC]

Then you have the other side of it with these Church entities that operate as charities but in reality are profitable business ventures but don't pay tax and get politicians as members to keep it that way..

Yes, and then there are churches that aren’t legal entities and can’t be sued when their minions commit horrendous crimes.

It would be a brave government that treated religious entities like other corporations.

[Gointocarlton]

Yes, and then there are churches that aren’t legal entities and can’t be sued when their minions commit horrendous crimes.

It would be a brave government that treated religious entities like other corporations.

Not every Catholic Priest is a pedo, just saying.

[Mav]

Southern Baptists is the largest Protestant denomination in the USA and it's now having the same sort of reckoning as the Catholic Church with revelations about it moving around pastors accused of sexual offending and stone-walling complaints.

[Mav]

[ElwoodBlues1]

How is the "Church" of Scientology even a Church?

Didn't the bloke who started it say it was a joke? How we let them into Aus and build/buy land is bewildering...