The Great Unknown of YOUR Senate Vote

I might be way off beam in my thinking in comparison to how others think, but for what it's worth, this is why I am so annoyed with the carry on by some micro Senators over Senate Reform. 

When I vote for a major party I know what I am voting for. I’ve voted Labor in the past. That said, that isn’t unusual when you are a student. At the time their policies aligned with my idealist beliefs. I then grew up and I have been a Liberal voter for the vast majority of my voting life. I don’t agree with every policy the Liberals put on the table. Anyone who follows me on social media or who reads my blog knows I am very critical of some things the Liberals propose and do. I vote for the major parties because they usually manage to get things that I believe are important done. Or they did. But, that has become much, much harder than it was over recent years due to the major failures within our voting system. 

I vote for the Liberals in both houses. Why, because I do my homework and I can’t see the logic of supporting a party, putting them into power in the lower house only to have their progress blocked in the upper chamber. In not into two way betting. In voting for the Liberals, I know where their preferences, go and therefore I can make an informed decision with regards to supporting it or not. In other words, I know what my vote buys me and usually preferences are given to others who are somewhat aligned in thinking albeit there are differences. Conservative candidates may support different causes, but their fundamental conservative values are usually very much aligned. 

I've read some comments from people taking aim at the majors accusing them of doing preference deals for years. It's true they do but we know what those deals are, where the preferences go and informed people make choices based on that knowledge. If I were to vote for a micro in the Senate, which is what micros target, I would have no idea where my preferences would end up. That was highlighted in the joint committee review of the 2013 election. 

A classic example of that would be Senator Ricky Muir and the Motoring Enthusiasts Party. Ricky is very upset that Malcolm Turnbull singled him out as you will see from the following tweet. 

If the truth offends Mr Muir tough & I’m furious that because the truth is spoken you responds with threats. So typical of the senate cross-benchers behaviour. There isn’t a more graphic example of the failure of the senate voting than Senator Muir. Mr Muir got a measly 0.51 per cent of first preference votes (or just 0.0354 of a Senate quota) and he ended up with a seat in the Senate. How? Because of a backroom deal done by his party HQ to achieve the transfer of 143,118 votes from the Australian Sex Party. As was pointed out today by Paul Kelly in the Australian, Ricky Muir’s election had nothing to do with public support, but everything to do with manipulation of the preference system.

So, here are some of the policy snippets from the Australian Sex Party’s website: 

Advocate for the sale of X rated films be legalised in all states, including the introduction an X rating for computer games.

Remove criminal sanctions for the purchase, possession and consumption of all drugs for personal use, such quantity to be defined as an amount equal or less than 14 days supply for one person

Extend a non-compulsory voting franchise to young people aged 16 to 18, to encourage engagement by interested individuals and in young people’s social networks.

Bring about equal numbers of women in the Parliament through enabling the Federal Discrimination Act to have jurisdiction extending to political parties (so law takes precedent over talent, no thank you)

An abortion may be performed at any time with the consent of the woman and if a medical practitioner certifies that it is appropriate under the circumstances.

Minors (under the age of 16) may obtain an abortion without the consent of a parent/guardian.

Can anyone tell me what these policies would have in common with people who would support a motoring party? I would be surprised if some of the people who voted for the Motoring Enthusiasts know what the Sex Party stands for. It could have been worse, however, they could have voted for the Motoring Enthusiasts and if a different deal had been done, they may have helped put a Sex Party candidate into a power position. 

ABC analyst Antony Green got it right when addressing the 2013 election results, he said of the current system: “It has produced results that were engineered by the preference deals rather than by the votes cast by voters. Voters have to have some ability to know what is happening with their vote. The system, if changed, should advantage parties which campaign, not parties which arrange preference deals.” 

Hear, hear Mr Green, I could not agree more. 

Time To Rid Ourselves of Petulant Crossbenchers

Crossbench senator Glenn Lazarus has hit out at Malcolm Turnbull's "nasty" Government, saying he will snub a dinner invite to The Lodge in protest against Senate reforms aimed at disenfranchising the "common man". 

The snubbing of the PM's dinner invitation by some of the crossbenchers highlights two things for me. Let's face it, Lazarus has history when it comes to refusing to meet with the Government to discuss issues. I could say the ‘block-head’ reference applies to more than just his physical appearance because his behaviour is certainly ‘block-head’ behaviour. But I digress, so back to the point. 

Firstly, what an immature, ignorant bunch of petulant twits some of the cross-benchers are. From where I sit, it highlights why with that mentality they simply shouldn't be in charge of voting on laws that impact on our lives. 

Secondly, it's proof positive (at least for me) that their reactions to the proposed Senate reforms which gives us the right to decide on where our preferences go smacks of self-interest and denial of our rights. Most of the crossbenchers in the Senate got there because of backroom deals which is not democratic in my opinion. 

There is no guarantee, with new legislation in place that we won't end up with sub-standard representatives in the senate. You only have to cast your eye across the major parties to see a sprinkling of less than desirable seat dwellers. But, at least within the major parties there are others to pull the seat dwellers into line. The same doesn’t apply to independents who often hold the balance of power. We have witnessed time and again the chaos some of the crossbenchers have created under the existing Parliament.  If under the new law we do end up with sub-standard independents and micros we will only have ourselves to blame. We will have put them there not some wheeler-dealer doing dodgy deals in secret. 

I have read some comments from people who are concerned because in their opinion the 'real people' won't stand a chance of getting into Parliament. I don't agree with that thinking. Nothing stops people from nominating. Nothing stops us from voting for them. If they get a seat, it will be because a core of people supports them which to me is democratic. It also means that someone who got less than 400 votes and was assisted by backroom deals, will never be elected again and that can't be a bad thing.  

I can't wait to see the back of people like Lazarus, Lambie and I’ll put Leyonhejlm (given some of his idiotic comments) in that bucket as well. I’m praying like mad that the legislation passes, that Turnbull calls a double-dissolution and that we wipe the slate clean and chuck the rubbish out. 

They say everyone has a breaking point and I've reached mine. I'm over the dummy spits, the grandstanding, the blackmail and the lack of intelligent debate and decision making. Time to lift the IQ of the Parliament above that of the footy field (due respect to footy players) and the schoolyard. 

Dear Prime Minister Turnbull

There is no doubt in my mind that Tony Abbott had to go as leader of our Coalition Government. Abbott was on a hiding to nowhere. He’d lost the confidence of the vast majority of voters, as well as the majority of our elected representatives. He simply became ineffective. The broken promises, bungled budgets and most importantly of all, the failure to listen and to take action all led to his demise.  That loss of confidence was highlighted in both the overall poll results as well as Mr Abbott’s personal rating and his personal performance suffered.

The Government under your leadership very quickly rocketed in the polls; both overall results and your personal rating as preferred PM. However, the tide is turning and whilst your personal rating is still extremely high and well above Bill Shorten’s according to the latest Newspoll the overall drop in party rating is of concern. After all, the party is bigger than the leader and when we start to drop against a pathetic opposition it's time for a reality check.

I declared my intention to stick with the government following the toppling of Tony Abbott. Whilst I have never been a fan I was prepared to give you a chance to show what you could do. Sadly, Mr Turnbull since you took over the leadership nothing much has changed. You certainly present much better than Mr Abbott and I prefer your approach to internal security issues. But, and there are many buts, our internal ‘bun fights’, ministerial falls from grace (as a result of events that happened under Mr Abbott’s leadership) are taking their toll. As a group of elected representatives our Coalition team has learned nothing. The behaviour of some simply disgusts me.

We were turning the tide, in an election winning position and there are those who will do everything possible to make sure we don’t win because of factional infighting. If it was the opposition driving this it would be understandable, but when it's people within our own party with an axe to grind it's unforgivable. Someone needs to yank some chains and quickly. That someone is you Mr Turnbull.

The ‘on the table, off the table’ budget reform water testing is also taking a toll. It's right to test the electorates appetite for change and reform, but the communication around that needs to be much, much better. It is looking suspiciously like indecision and the rumours that you and Scott Morrison are not on the same page isn’t helping. Labor is going a good job of turning the tide back on us. That needs to be addressed.

We have a foreign affairs minister who I think does a great job. But sadly, Julie Bishop is starting to look like an international party girl probably better suited to working for a fashion house than driving our foreign relationships. It’s the old ‘perception’ factor rearing its ugly head.  A lot of that press is down to the media, but Julie puts herself in the position to start with. It needs to stop.

Then we have the back-down on the baby Asha issue. The headlines didn’t really tell the full story but we know that many people don’t read below the headline. The mere hint that we are softening our stance on asylum seekers results in concern that our borders will be weakened.

I am 100% in favour of change. Without change and renewal, we will stagnate and die. But, with that comes the vision. The vision story is sadly lacking. You are an excellent communicator, Mr Turnbull, but we hardly see or hear from you. Whilst you are still the preferred leader by a mile, it won’t last if issues are not addressed and if the vision for the future isn’t crystal clear, understood and re-enforced continually. Basic driving change 101 stuff.

We will no doubt be regaled with shouts of  ‘bring Tony back’. No, thank you. But I don’t think I’m out of step with many others who were prepared to give the new look leadership a fair go and who are now becoming increasingly concerned. If Scott Morrison’s budget flops in May we are gone come the election and Labor will regain power. What a nightmare that would be.

I’ve said many times the popularity of the leader is an important factor, but the party is bigger and the party is losing its way. The promised changes under your leadership are not manifesting and it is taking its toll. Recalcitrant senators are blocking good policy and we seem incapable of getting them on side. Labor’s stocks are rising despite sub-standard leadership and stupid policies and the polls are inconceivably turning against us. Your popularity won’t carry us to victory.

We have time to turn this around, but we don’t have forever. We have to start getting ‘some runs on the board’. I won’t stay loyal forever and I suspect many others are feeling the same way. I’m also one of those who will be losing their long standing member in Philip Ruddock come the election. So I’m in a quandary. In the absence of personal loyalty to our effective sitting member and in the absence of necessary change I’ll be forced into an informal vote. That prospect fills me with no joy but I feel I don’t have an option.

Our future is in your hands Mr Turnbull. Don’t let us down.

Why Senate Reform is Essential

 

Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm is warning the government it will have to deal with at least seven 'very cranky' cross-benchers if they push ahead with Senate voting reform. In making that statement, Senator David Leyonhjelm has just proven why senate reform is essential in my book. 

Senator Leyonhejlm and the bunch of ‘very cranky cross-benchers’ are declaring their intention to deny you and me the right to choose where our preferences go. More importantly,  Leyonhjelm (and he isn’t the only one) has threatened to block passing the reinstatement of  the building industry watchdog!!!!! Leyonhejlm has supported this policy previously. If he therefore blocks the passing now, it will be an act of blatant self-interest, bordering on blackmail gorilla tactics. 

Whilst minority groups have a right to be heard, they have to achieve that voice on their own merits and not by doing back room deals with other equally unrepresentative parties. Or in the case of Leyonhjelm, a 'slight of hand' party name coupled with a fortuitous senate paper voting placement. If their cause is just and if it is supported then people will vote for them. If not, they won't. 

I for one, am very angry about the carry on by some of the people representing us in the senate. The likes of Lambie, Lazarus and Leyonhjelm being points in case. Leyonhjelm in my humble opinion has just proven (yet again) the folly of having minority groups deciding for the majority. 

I am not a fan of the preferential voting system. I much prefer first passed the post, but we have a preferential system so that needs to work for us, not cancers like Leyonhejlm. We must decide how our preferences are distributed not 'preference whisperers’ and dodgy 'wannabe senators'. We cannot have a system where good policy is blocked by the Self-Protectionists’ who are more interested in hanging on to their positions of power than our rights and what is in the best interest of the country. 

We must demand senate reform. Enough Is enough.... 

The Story of the Paperbark

I have lovely paperbark trees at the bottom corner of my garden. I love them as did Richard and it is the final resting place for two of our beloved cats and Rasputin Rabbit. We were devastated a couple of years back when we thought we would have to lose the trees to lay new storm water pipes, but thanks to our very creative plumber we only lost one and these two remain. 

Yesterday Darryl and I visited Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens to choose a resting place for Richard. We visited a number of areas within the 43 hectares including the rose garden. The rose garden was pretty, but crowded and very exposed. We ended up chosing a spot in the bush garden. It's a beautiful area; tranquil, private and it borders onto the national park. Very Australian. We found a spot next to a beautiful paperbark. In reality, it was more like the spot found us. The rock will be replaced by a much larger stone and this will be where Richard waits for me until my turn comes. Seems fitting somehow.  Our four legged children and both of us resting under the paperbarks. I like the connections. I think Richard would as well. 

There is a very strong medicinal and spiritual connection to the majestic paperbark. The Australian aborigines used the bark for funeral and for other spiritual ceremonies. Bodies would be wrapped in bark before the funeral ceremony commenced. 

The bark of the tree has natural and spiritual properties and is considered an excellent medium on which to write spells or to create a wish. You write your wishes in ink on the bark and then bury the wish in the ground where it will not be disturbed. After three days have passed you dig up your wish and set it on fire, your wish will then be released to the universe and hopefully come true.