Well Hung
Why Australia should see a hung parliament as a sign of growing up.
So, finally, it’s over. One of the most boring, nasty and downright uninspiring election campaigns this country has ever seen. Neither major party had much to say, apart from repeatedly publically denigrating the other on issues large, small and irrelevant. The result? A thoughtful and generally unimpressed public made the decision we all foresaw: a tie. Choosing the best from a bad bunch had never been more difficult.
The next few days and weeks will be a monumental time in Australian politics, with the possibilities of major political and social change, not to mention the balance of power in the lower house, lying with the four or five independent and minor parties. Will our political system be able to cope with the possibilities of the two established parties no longer been able to call the shots, and issues which feature broadly in regional and country Australia for once been given legitimate consideration and action.
This situation hasn’t occurred in Australia for the last seventy years, but has become a more common event in state politics and many overseas elections. Whilst a negative view may hold that hung parliaments are a sign of lackluster campaigns and politicians, a more positive view may be that Australians are longing for real political choice and no longer find the broad policy strokes of the major parties palatable. We are, politically speaking, growing up.
Take for instance the Green option. Whilst I personally found much of their policy unfathomable, especially their massive reduction in funding to Catholic schools, their willingness to put the climate change and water issues front and centre, especially as the major parties fought internally over the issue, made them the obvious choice to many. Despite what politicians may think, or focus groups might tell us, people are concerned about what the future holds for their lives, and the lives of coming generations. The majors forgot this at their peril.
The election of Independents also tells a story. Regional and Country Australia, our food bowl, the location of much of our myth and our soul, is generally either forgotten or patronized during election campaigns. These electorates are beginning to put their trust elsewhere. Positively, these elected representatives are also passionate about changes to the very parliamentary system which is creaking under its own weight as you read. Their influence may well provide models and new style governments for future generations.
I seriously doubt that we are in danger of losing secure and stable government in this country. The results of this election, however, may be the beginning of something deeper and greater than we have seen in Australian politics for a long time – a multi-party government who will make significant change, incorporating an open-minded and sustainable future for all Australians, urban and rural. It’s been a long time coming.
So, finally, it’s over. One of the most boring, nasty and downright uninspiring election campaigns this country has ever seen. Neither major party had much to say, apart from repeatedly publically denigrating the other on issues large, small and irrelevant. The result? A thoughtful and generally unimpressed public made the decision we all foresaw: a tie. Choosing the best from a bad bunch had never been more difficult.
The next few days and weeks will be a monumental time in Australian politics, with the possibilities of major political and social change, not to mention the balance of power in the lower house, lying with the four or five independent and minor parties. Will our political system be able to cope with the possibilities of the two established parties no longer been able to call the shots, and issues which feature broadly in regional and country Australia for once been given legitimate consideration and action.
This situation hasn’t occurred in Australia for the last seventy years, but has become a more common event in state politics and many overseas elections. Whilst a negative view may hold that hung parliaments are a sign of lackluster campaigns and politicians, a more positive view may be that Australians are longing for real political choice and no longer find the broad policy strokes of the major parties palatable. We are, politically speaking, growing up.
Take for instance the Green option. Whilst I personally found much of their policy unfathomable, especially their massive reduction in funding to Catholic schools, their willingness to put the climate change and water issues front and centre, especially as the major parties fought internally over the issue, made them the obvious choice to many. Despite what politicians may think, or focus groups might tell us, people are concerned about what the future holds for their lives, and the lives of coming generations. The majors forgot this at their peril.
The election of Independents also tells a story. Regional and Country Australia, our food bowl, the location of much of our myth and our soul, is generally either forgotten or patronized during election campaigns. These electorates are beginning to put their trust elsewhere. Positively, these elected representatives are also passionate about changes to the very parliamentary system which is creaking under its own weight as you read. Their influence may well provide models and new style governments for future generations.
I seriously doubt that we are in danger of losing secure and stable government in this country. The results of this election, however, may be the beginning of something deeper and greater than we have seen in Australian politics for a long time – a multi-party government who will make significant change, incorporating an open-minded and sustainable future for all Australians, urban and rural. It’s been a long time coming.
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