Showing posts with label federal election 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label federal election 2007. Show all posts
Sunday 25 November 2007
The morning after the election night before
Well the fat lady sang early last night and Australia now has an incoming Labor federal government, with the Nationals no longer able to dominate on the North Coast of New South Wales.
Neither Sue Page or Chris Gulaptis can console themselves with the thought that it was merely a national electoral swing which saw them fail to win the seats of Richmond and Page.
Gulaptis in particular was reaping the results of his develop-unsustainably-and-damn-local-quality-of-life voting pattern; first a Maclean shire councillor and mayor and later as a Clarence Valley shire councillor.
Labels:
federal election 2007,
local government
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
John Winston Howard conceded electoral defeat on behalf of his government late last night.
It is expected that he will eventually be forced to also concede defeat as the Liberal Member for Bennelong.
Make no mistake, despite his long time in Parliament and as a holder of the office of Prime Minister, this man deserved to go.
Australia was not only tired of Howard and his Coalition Government, it was increasingly afraid of being governed by these neo-fascist bullies.
The majority of Australians were afraid of both where he had taken our country and where he might lead it in the future.
It was obvious as he spoke last night that John Howard hopes that history will treat him kindly. He does not deserve a generous re-writing of history and Australia cannot afford to forget just how close it came to having its character and culture irreparably distorted and corrupted by this now outgoing Federal Government.
Labels:
Australian society,
federal election 2007
Labor wins 2 out of 3 NSW North Coast seats
Justine Elliot retains the seat of Richmond for Federal Labor. This strong win was never in doubt from very early on in the vote count.
Janelle Saffin gains the seat of Page for Federal Labor. Her comfortable win was buttressed by Green preferences.
Luke Hartsuyker retains the seat of Page for the Federal Nationals. His seat remained officially a close call for some part of election night but he pulled ahead to a winning position midway through.
None of these seats have been officially declared by the Australian Electoral Commission at the time of posting. However the results are not in doubt.
Labels:
federal election 2007
Saturday 24 November 2007
The Howard Government is gone, gone, gone....
Labels:
election night,
federal election 2007
Australia votes 2007: AEC Virtual Tally Room and ABC election coverage online links
Australian Electoral Commission Virtual Tally Room federal election vote count from 7,700 polling stations across the country, with information across 1,200 pages and updates every 90 seconds beginning after 6pm:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation website:
Labels:
election night,
federal election 2007
Last word from local media as the NSW North Coast heads to the ballot box
"IT would take a brave, almost reckless, bet to try and pick the likely election winner in Page.
A poll in The Daily Examiner two weeks ago hints at a Labor win in the contest between Labors Janelle Saffin and the Nationals Chris Gulaptis in Page, but points to a result so tight that it could easily go either way.-----
The other party to watch in the counting tonight and tomorrow is The Greens. The party has run an unusually vigorous campaign in Richmond, largely due to the efforts of its candidate there, Giovanni Ebono."
The Daily Examiner full article today:
http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756341&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756341&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
"THE choice for Australia's 13 million voters today is to stay with a familiar team, or vote for change.
We endorse the view that it is time for change. It is time to vote out a Government that has no case for re-election and is leading this country down an increasingly narrow, selfish and short-sighted path.
Kevin Rudd's Labor team has recognised the best features of John Howard's Coalition policies and kept them, chief among them being economic responsibility and stability.
But the differences that Labor offers are fundamental.-----
Our foreign policy has spilled into domestic affairs. The Government drafted internal security laws befitting an old-style Communist state and the public is encouraged by TV advertising into paranoid neighbourhood spying. Is this the sort of Australia we want?
Mr Rudd's team is yet to be tried, but if elected today it will know that Australians are looking for a new style of leadership, one which will encourage fairness and open-mindedness. It will need to be leadership that allows this country to breathe again."
The Northern Star editorial opinion today:
Labels:
federal election 2007
Last minute campaign stupidity leaves 'em laughing: Robb on GetUp!
The Liberal Party's Andrew Robb once again makes us laugh as he attacks GetUP!
He forgot to factor in the high non-response rate of Coalition candidates in some electorates. If candidates didn't register their responses to the questionnaire it would be nigh impossible for the online computerised How Should I Vote? program to throw up their names in response.
Something that everyone on the NSW North Coast who tried this program would be well aware of, as local Nationals candidates also appear to have ignored this possibility.
When Andrew Robb couldn't get the computer program to advise him to vote for himself, he ran to the media with: "This outrageous website is likely to deceive thousands of voters, especially young voters who are genuinely seeking information from the internet".
The response was measured.
"Getup! executive director Brett Solomon said most Liberal candidates and the party had not submitted policy details for the site, meaning they were listed randomly after those who did.
"The system itself does not allow for parties that don't complete the form to have a rating because there's no data," he said."
Truly Andrew, you've excelled yourself at introducing last minute red herrings this week.
GetUp! didn't shoot you in the foot - you did that all by yourself.
GetUp! and Robb article:
Labels:
federal election 2007
Federal Election 2007: finally, it's your call
After such a long election campaign and an even longer pseudo-campaign before that, Australia finally votes today. I find myself torn between the hope that the country will vote wisely and a fear that John Howard will be returned to power.
For those earlybirds out there who may share this fear - a collection of online headlines from around the map.
"Finally, it's your poll call"
"Howard braces for brush-off"
"Money on Labor, but more bets on Coalition"
"We stand behind a man of our state and our times"
"Key cog in Liberal fortunes"
"Libs stage late surge"
"Turnbull threatens byelection if he loses"
"Sweet taste of defeat"
"PM hopes those polls were just joshin' with us"
Labels:
federal election 2007
Campaign over, election day here - gone fishin'
Having voted early, I intend to spend today in the pleasurable pursuit of a feed of fish. At least John Howard and his mates have yet to find a way to spoil a day on the river.
Some writer bloke once said Australia is a lucky country, run by second-rate people who share its luck.
I hope that while I'm casting my line today, Australia will prove him wrong and the Howard Government will be voted out of office.
Labels:
Australian society,
federal election 2007
Friday 23 November 2007
Uncle Johnny wants you!
The country needs John Winston Howard. He told you so at the beginning of this election campaign when he realised that all was not well with the polls.
John Howard needs you. He told you so after the polls failed to bounce and he began to despair.
The real question is - do you really need John Howard?
Come tomorrow, will Australia get the government it deserves or will it get Howard & Costello. It's up to you.
John Howard needs you. He told you so after the polls failed to bounce and he began to despair.
The real question is - do you really need John Howard?
Come tomorrow, will Australia get the government it deserves or will it get Howard & Costello. It's up to you.
Labels:
federal election 2007,
howard trivia
Silly sods still exist in Howard's mates club
Senator Bill Heffernan has the reputation of being a colourful character, renown on the NSW North Coast for introducing himself over the phone as "the Devil" and treating local journalists to his views on proctology issues. However, colourful is one thing - downright bizarre is another.
From http://www.crikey.com.au/ yesterday.
"Accounts diverge, but what’s not disputed is that the New South Wales Senator was a passenger on a Qantas service from Canberra to Brisbane. It was early evening, shortly after sunset. The flight landed hard. Teeth slappingly hard. The pilot in charge decided to perform a full-power go-around. The jet made a second, normal landing. Crikey understands it was inspected for any damage and passed as fit to return to service. Qantas promptly and correctly filed a safety incident report with the Air Transport Safety Bureau. All over? Apparently not. On landing Heffernan presented himself to the pilots in the plane. He allegedly made impolitic remarks and represented himself as a Civil Aviation Safety Authority officer. A meeting was then hastily convened in the Chairman’s Lounge with the Qantas duty manager to discuss events, with the Senator insisting the aircraft concerned be grounded pending a full inspection. Heffernan disputes the account. “This is complete sh-t mate,” the former Parliamentary Secretary to Cabinet told Crikey. “They knew who I f-cking was, it was on the f-cking ticket, Senator Bill f-cking Heffernan. “I presented myself as the chairman of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee, who do all the investigations.” Heffernan denies the alternative account. “They are telling you f-cking lies,” he said. “Why do you people run this sh-t? You’re as bad as the f-cking Chaser. You’ve got to retract it and f-cking apologise, or fair dinkum I’ll f-cking go you.” Heffernan denies any confrontation in the Chairman’s Lounge. “I requested the f-cking meeting.” He added “If I ever run across you, you f-cking better … you’re f-cking gone mate.” CASA seemed to be anticipating Crikey’s call. We were told that it is not a specific offence to impersonate a CASA officer. There is, Crikey understands, a provision in the Commonwealth Crimes Act which defines the impersonation of a Commonwealth officer as a criminal offence, for which the maximum penalty is two years' jail."
From http://www.crikey.com.au/ yesterday.
"Accounts diverge, but what’s not disputed is that the New South Wales Senator was a passenger on a Qantas service from Canberra to Brisbane. It was early evening, shortly after sunset. The flight landed hard. Teeth slappingly hard. The pilot in charge decided to perform a full-power go-around. The jet made a second, normal landing. Crikey understands it was inspected for any damage and passed as fit to return to service. Qantas promptly and correctly filed a safety incident report with the Air Transport Safety Bureau. All over? Apparently not. On landing Heffernan presented himself to the pilots in the plane. He allegedly made impolitic remarks and represented himself as a Civil Aviation Safety Authority officer. A meeting was then hastily convened in the Chairman’s Lounge with the Qantas duty manager to discuss events, with the Senator insisting the aircraft concerned be grounded pending a full inspection. Heffernan disputes the account. “This is complete sh-t mate,” the former Parliamentary Secretary to Cabinet told Crikey. “They knew who I f-cking was, it was on the f-cking ticket, Senator Bill f-cking Heffernan. “I presented myself as the chairman of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee, who do all the investigations.” Heffernan denies the alternative account. “They are telling you f-cking lies,” he said. “Why do you people run this sh-t? You’re as bad as the f-cking Chaser. You’ve got to retract it and f-cking apologise, or fair dinkum I’ll f-cking go you.” Heffernan denies any confrontation in the Chairman’s Lounge. “I requested the f-cking meeting.” He added “If I ever run across you, you f-cking better … you’re f-cking gone mate.” CASA seemed to be anticipating Crikey’s call. We were told that it is not a specific offence to impersonate a CASA officer. There is, Crikey understands, a provision in the Commonwealth Crimes Act which defines the impersonation of a Commonwealth officer as a criminal offence, for which the maximum penalty is two years' jail."
Labels:
federal election 2007,
political probity
One more sleep until polling day and the real nightmare begins
Basic Newspoll details released by The Australian at 4pm today.
Results for Friday 23 November 2007.
Coalition 48 ttp
Labor 52 ttp
The Australian basic timeline breakdown:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/poll.gif
Dennis Shanahan begins to hope for his little mate:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22808891-601,00.html
Results for Friday 23 November 2007.
Coalition 48 ttp
Labor 52 ttp
The Australian basic timeline breakdown:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/poll.gif
Dennis Shanahan begins to hope for his little mate:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22808891-601,00.html
Labels:
federal election 2007
Political donors to 2007 federal election campaign won't be revealed until 2009
The lengthy time lag, which sees donors to political parties not publicly revealed until almost 14 months into an Australian federal government's term, has got to stop.
Not only does this time lag make a mockery of political transparency, after polling day it leaves us still wondering exactly what The Exclusive Brethren called themselves this year if/when they helped underwrite the Howard election campaign or how much Malcolm Turnbull personally splurged to keep Coalition candidates afloat.
The Age article yesterday:http://www.theage.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/political-donors-to-be-revealed-in-2009/2007/11/22/1195321917699.html
Labels:
federal election 2007
One response to Howard's last ditch campaigning
The Age readers poll.
Howard's way | ||
---|---|---|
Is Australia 'stronger, prouder, more prosperous' than it was in 1996? | ||
Yes - 22% No - 78% Total Votes: 1355 |
Labels:
federal election 2007
North Coast federal election campaign wrap
A brief look at what exercised the NSW North Coast and media in the last days of this federal election campaign.
"An independent academic study looking at the effect of WorkChoices and Welfare to Work reforms in the Northern Rivers has found "a climate of fear and confusion".
The report, which is due to be presented at Newcastle University early next month, concluded with the following statement: "Vulnerable Australians in regional communities can look forward to a future of diminished prospects and quality of life, in spite of a booming economy".
The report has been authored by Dr Sandy Darab and Dr Yvonne Hartman from Southern Cross University's School of Arts and Social Sciences."
The Northern Rivers Echo yesterday:
http://www.echonews.com/index.php?page=View%20Article&article=18709&issue=300
http://www.echonews.com/index.php?page=View%20Article&article=18709&issue=300
"The cousin of retiring Page MP Ian Causley is actively campaigning against the controversial new WorkChoices laws.
The contentious legislation has pushed Caley Causley, a 47-year-old aged care nurse from Grafton, into activism with the Your Rights At Work campaign.
The lifelong National Party supporter told The Sydney Morning Herald last week she was not involved in politics until WorkChoices made her sit up and take notice.
"Growing up on a property you follow family tradition… I wasn't politically involved until this issue came along and I realised it gave the boss more bullets to fire at us," she said. "I poured beer 10 years ago and earned more than I do now looking after our old people."
Caley Causley made her public speaking debut this year at a town meeting of her local Your Rights At Work group.
She told the Herald she still loved her cousin "but I disagree with him and this time I can't support his mob".
The Northern Rivers Echo yesterday:
"New Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis joined Mr Vaile on the back of a ute.
One elderly woman passing by, who did not reveal her name, gave The Nationals the thumbs down.
"I would like to have the money that he (Mr Vaile) spends on what he puts in my letterbox and I put straight in the garbage," she scoffed.
Another local, Eric Kaiser, 45, of Horseshoe Creek, near Kyogle, said he would vote for the Greens and give Labor his second preference.
The issue most concerning to him was the prospect of a nuclear reactor on the NSW north coast."
Camden Advertiser on Wednesday:
Labels:
federal election 2007
Campaign Day 40
Last night I heard Sol and Antony giving their expert opinion that the federal election may be declared as early as 8pm tomorrow night or alternatively we may not have a definitive result for days. This induced a form of mild hysteria in my house and prompted me to record my favourite campaign lines.
# 1
Earnest Yamba resident: "If Chris Gulaptis goes to Canberra at least we'll have finally got rid of him from local government."
# 2
Q. Why don't snakes bite the Nationals candidate for Page?
A. Professional loyalty.
It's a joke, Joyce! The whole damn election campaign.
# 1
Earnest Yamba resident: "If Chris Gulaptis goes to Canberra at least we'll have finally got rid of him from local government."
# 2
Q. Why don't snakes bite the Nationals candidate for Page?
A. Professional loyalty.
It's a joke, Joyce! The whole damn election campaign.
Labels:
federal election 2007
Thursday 22 November 2007
State swing predicted to deliver all NSW North Coast seats to Labor
The last cumulative Newspoll from Possum Comitatus at Possums Pollytics.
Possum's breakdown of seats, using uniform state swings and Antony Green's House of Representatives election calculator, shows all 3 North Coast seats possibly falling to Labor.
Cowper gained by Labor with an 0.5% swing
Page gained by Labor with an 3.2% swing
Richmond retained by Labor with an 8.6% swing
Possum Pollytics home page:
http://possumcomitatus.wordpress.com
Labels:
federal election 2007
Bob Brown favourite for lamb roast dinner invitations: gently poking fun at online polling
It was obvious from the very start of this election campaign that the media were going to make much of opinion polling and that the rest of us would eventually follow along. So North Coast Voices ran a series of very unscientific opinion questions with an almost minute response rate, and here is what we 'found'.
Readers of North Coast Voices posts (who also love to tick boxes) are as likely as not to think that the Labor Party will win the most federal seats on the NSW North Coast, would rather invite Bob Brown home for a lamb roast, believe the Greens are the most honest and trustworthy political party, were just as likely to know nothing of local candidates as to have an opinion on individual campaign performance, and if they had their way, John Howard and his descendants would be barred from future election to the Australian Parliament.
Happy Exit Polling everyone!
Say that again, John?
Yesterday The Age reported that John Howard (when laying out his 5-point plan to a group of Sydney business leaders) was warning that his government should be returned come Saturday or the sky would fall in.
"He said every change of Government since the end of World War II had resulted in a profound change in the nature of the country."
Hold on, John - say that again? So your government effected profound change when it came to power in 1996. Think more than a few of us would agree with that. Australia is now a more divisive and unequal country, where unsafe and unhappy is the condition of a great many.
As Prime Minister and leader of a parliamentary coalition you broke the social contract between government and the governed while calling this a virtue.
You've never been good for the soul of this country - it's time you and Janette faced the fact.
Labels:
federal election 2007
Deputy Prime Minister threatens North Coast with unwanted population explosion
Mark Vaile was on the NSW North Coast again this week and one can see that he is reacting to the local Nationals own white shoe brigade's develop-to-death philosophy.
He has promised $5 million to encourage more sea and tree changers to regional areas.
Great one, Deputy Prime Minister. Just what we need. A Coalition Government which will add to the environmental, social and infrastructure stress already being felt due to sustained coastal population growth.
Five million dollars wouldn't even solve waste and storm water problems in one local government growth area.
Mr. Vaile shouldn't be listening so uncritically to his local candidates - at least one of them has a long history as a land developer.
Instead he should be listening to coastal residents who have been saying for years that they don't want to turn into a Gold Coast or unsustainably developed south-east Queensland.
But then, genuinely listening was never the strong suit of the Coalition Government.
The Australian yesterday:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22796271-5013871,00.html
Labels:
federal election 2007
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