119 replies to this topic

[brumby]

It would seem that the Labor party is not doing particularly well in today's state election.

I do enjoy watching an incumbent government get crushed at the polls.

[LogicprObe]

Yes............but after about 1 term, the new one starts to show the same arrogance.

[brumby]

Yes, and then they get crushed too. Isn't politics fun!!

[LogicprObe]

Yes, and then they get crushed too. Isn't politics fun!!

The other dopes that get to vote always give them too many chances.
Keep them on their toes, I say!

[brumby]

My word.

89 seats up for grabs
66 - LNP
3 - Labor
2 - Katter
2 - "Other" (Green, Independent, etc)
16 - still in doubt

[Briz Vegas]

Wow. The blood has certainly been spilt in George St. Not looking forward to the next three years from the perspective of good governance (I'm not claiming the other side did not have issues, I'm talking about the quality of the new broom).

People complained that Kevin 07 was a little Hitler and look what happened to him. Campbell sings from the same songbook.

I reckon its going to be back to the streets with lots of protests. I don't believe everything I read in the newspapers but there have been some pretty disturbing reports. Comments like " We are going to dredge the broadwater and there will be no ecological study first". Thats a real worry. It shows a contempt for doing your research before taking action. Not only that but there is not even a pretence to doing the homework first. The ecology of our waterways isn't just an inconvenience to doing business. Evidence based policy is pretty basic.

I like a laugh as much as the next man but this ain't funny.

[brumby]

Back to the bad old days of Joe Bonkers, eh?

I don't know but I doubt if he ever had the majority that Newman is going to have. I just saw a projection giving him 81 out of the 89 seats.

Put up or shut up time for the "other" side of politics, methinks. Let's see what, if anything, he can do about the real government - the bureaucracy.

[Telecine]

It is a massacre:

89 seats up for grabs
72 - LNP
6 - Labor
2 - Katter
2 - "Other" (Green, Independent, etc)
7 - still in doubt

[Art Vandelay]

At least Labor will have an easy job selecting the new shadow ministry.

[brumby]

Yes, we'll have a potential Labor "Minister For Everything".

[proftournesol]

So what exactly will be different? Have the Nationals ever been that different from Labour? Is this only the illusion of change whilst it continues with business as usual?

Certainly our experience in Victoria is that nothing has changed.

[Full Range]

I think its a train wreck for the Labor party
Its happened in almost all states
The reason is focus groups - and no long term plans - everything is geared to & for the next 3 years ( the later applies to all parties)
Also members just dont represent there electorates with individuality any more

In this case and because I live within its boarders " I am for QLD the state "
If Campbell Newman runs the state sensitively with a good mix of short, medium, and long term projects I think QLD will go forward
For to long politicians have made announcements of future projects & 20 years later we are still waiting
The announcements are simply worded to maximise popularity and standing for votes

Good luck to them & I hope the LNP actually get something done
FR

Edited by Full Range, 24 March 2012 - 08:05 PM.

[brumby]

I haven't actually noticed anything in this thread as yet which looks toward anything changing, Prof.

IMHO, the best thing the LNP could do is to take a meat axe to the Qld bureaucracy and the "scope" of government in this State and start "shrinking" the government. The more the better.

That is what the LNP is "supposed" to be about. But I've seen precious little evidence of it when they have had the chance to implement what they choose to call their "policies".

The only thing we know is that Newman has one hell of a "mandate". Let's face it, "government" per se is on the nose in Qld as it is in the rest of the country and all over the world.

But nobody, outside Ron Paul in the US, seems to have thought much about cutting it down to size. I don't hold out any great hopes for Campbell.

[rantan]

Firstly let me offer my congratulations to the new LNP government, there is no doubt the people have acted in unequivocal fashion about whom they wished to govern the state.

I just hope that the LNP live up to these expectations but while doing so, do not return to the Bjelke Petersen era and take QLD back to being a national joke.

Obviously I do not live in QLD, but I did for many years and I still have family and friends there. I also like QLD very much. While it is true that all of my family and friends know that a change of government was/is long overdue, I also know that they have severe misgivings about a return to the Joh days.

For the sake of every Queenslander, one can only hope and pray this does not occur.

[holdencaulfield2007]

It is highly unlikely that there will be a return to the style of Government under Sir Joh. That was the most dishonest and corrupt Govt in Australian history. So many cabinet ministers were jailed. Sir Joh himself was acquitted after a Jury deadlock and afterwards it was discovered that a Jury member was a paid up member of his party. Russell Hinze was also charged but the Grim Reaper ensured he received a greater judgement before he faced an earth bound court.. We will never see the likes of that rotten, wretched and corrupt government again thankfully.

[turntable]

What a joke for Labour. They will not have enough seats to warrant a political party status.

They will barely win 7 seats.

Gillard must be confident!!

[LogicprObe]

For to long politicians have made announcements of future projects & 20 years later we are still waiting
The announcements are simply worded to maximise popularity and standing for votes

FR

Welcome to NSW!

[Full Range]

Welcome to NSW!

Half my family live in Newcastle

Lets hope they all work to a Moral Compass - and we all benefit

FR

[Briz Vegas]

Whose moral compass would that be, yours, mine or some corporate interest dedicated to the good of the economy (although legally they are required to put the interests of their shareholders first so long as it is within the law, which they try and influence at every opportunity).

Even if you were to say it should be based on good Christian values you have the likes of the Rev Costello or any number of fringe churches to choose from.

[Briz Vegas]

PS personally I would be ok with a Rev Costello moral compass from what I have read.

[proftournesol]

The ALP have got what they deserved but surely democracy isn't well served with what is effectively a single party single chamber legislature.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

It would seem that the Labor party is not doing particularly well in today's state election.

I do enjoy watching an incumbent government get crushed at the polls.

Why? NSW rushed to dump a completely incompetent Labor government. We are now stuck with a Lieberal government that has broken promises and is precisely as corrupt and useless as the previous government.

Looking at Qld from here in NSW, the Qld Labor government didn't look too bad. They sold off state assets that the Lieberals would have sold off anyway.

[davidsss]

They're not replacing the ALP with the conservatives because of selling off assets are they? That really would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

After 14 years in power I'm not surprised the government is losing. But this is a decimation. Does the ALP really deserve such a hiding up there? Do the conservatives deserve such a big majority? Given the speed at which things change and the larger proportion of swinging voters these days I suspect the conservatives could be on the nose in 2 elections anyway. Both the ALP and the conservatives are pretty much the same and as bad as each other.

Wonder if the conservatives will gerrymander the seat distribution again?

DS

[Art Vandelay]

Why? NSW rushed to dump a completely incompetent Labor government. We are now stuck with a Lieberal government that has broken promises and is precisely as corrupt and useless as the previous government.

Hardly. This NSW Liberal gov't is vastly better and have already initiated some excellent infrastructure projects. Also, O'Farrell is a very level headed individual and has far more ability than his Labor predecessors. I attended a charity lunch last week at state parliament house and I was surprised by the quality of his speech and his people skills. I'm sure he will lead a high achieving and honest government for several terms.

[Art Vandelay]

After 14 years in power I'm not surprised the government is losing. But this is a decimation. Does the ALP really deserve such a hiding up there? Do the conservatives deserve such a big majority?
DS

Probably no and no, but there's no doubt that Kevin's unsuccessful challenge for PM and the insults and abuse he copped from senior ALP ministers including the PM has had its effect on this result.

[hired goon]

G'day,

Bloody hell. That's a massacre. I've been out of Qld for too long so I have no idea whether the ALP's policies were so bad that they deserve to be tossed out like this, or whether the LNP's policies are so good that they deserve such a mandate.

Interesting times ahead, methinks. I wonder how many new tunnels we will get?

--Geoff

[Art Vandelay]

I'm not sure if it's correct but I heard that Labor have insufficient seats to be deemed a major political party and will lose the entitlements usually enjoyed in opposition.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of those 7 remaining MP's decide to head for early retirement. .

[NellyJamba]

You will find more members in Rudd's family than Labour MPs in Queensland.

[Captain Crunch]

What a glowing endorsement of Labor policies - not! Good grief, I hope the message starts registering in Canberra that the overwhelming majority of voters are extremely angry with policy direction and when given the chance at the ballot box will vote accordingly. Gillard lives in a fools paradise thinking that an election in 2013 will give her enough time to turn things around. This QLD result will hasten her rapid demise because even her supporters will now see that a conservative moderate type like Crean for example, will offer them their only hope at salvaging something from this looming train wreck. Election results like this are a disaster for democracy and if the national vote goes like this then we're all in a lot trouble!

[comfortablynumb]

Probably no and no, but there's no doubt that Kevin's unsuccessful challenge for PM and the insults and abuse he copped from senior ALP ministers including the PM has had its effect on this result.

Can't agree with that last statement Art.

Probably more to do with Qld having more debt than NSW and Vic combined, achieved during a mining boom with huge royalties.

Edited by comfortablynumb, 25 March 2012 - 12:16 AM.

[Art Vandelay]

Election results like this are a disaster for democracy and if the national vote goes like this then we're all in a lot trouble!

No, not a disaster for democracy. This is democracy, in action.

[eskcapee]

What a glowing endorsement of Labor policies - not! Good grief, I hope the message starts registering in Canberra that the overwhelming majority of voters are extremely angry with policy direction and when given the chance at the ballot box will vote accordingly. Gillard lives in a fools paradise thinking that an election in 2013 will give her enough time to turn things around. This QLD result will hasten her rapid demise because even her supporters will now see that a conservative moderate type like Crean for example, will offer them their only hope at salvaging something from this looming train wreck. Election results like this are a disaster for democracy and if the national vote goes like this then we're all in a lot trouble!

CC i think the qld election result was good for democracy, qld labor behaved with contempt for voters with their lies and spin under beattie and bligh and the voters have shown them the exit door big time.
I think the same message will be sent to miss juliea buzzard and labor come the next fed election , i cant see how it,s bad for democracy , when voters decide that the govt of the day is dishonest , incompetent, and needs to be changed!

[Jake]

I'm glad I moved to NSW.

[LogicprObe]

Why? NSW rushed to dump a completely incompetent Labor government. We are now stuck with a Lieberal government that has broken promises and is precisely as corrupt and useless as the previous government.

Looking at Qld from here in NSW, the Qld Labor government didn't look too bad. They sold off state assets that the Lieberals would have sold off anyway.

That was the excuse that Hawke and Keating used to flog off public assetts.
It's a rubbish excuse that is used when they know the public is getting shafted.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

That was the excuse that Hawke and Keating used to flog off public assetts.
It's a rubbish excuse that is used when they know the public is getting shafted.

I agree. Selling many public assets is just dumb. Water, electricity, telecommunications, public transport and airports are essential services. They cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of large, greedy, overseas owner corporations.

Edited by Zaphod Beeblebrox, 25 March 2012 - 08:45 AM.

[Jake]

Jim Soorley tried to buy back the Brisbane Airport once. He had the right idea, the rest of the short-sighted wankers only think of themselves and the next term. Campbell is bad news.

[LHC]

No, not a disaster for democracy. This is democracy, in action.

In a democracy the people usually get the government they deserved. I am so glad I live in South Australia these days, we have a balanced and stable government and opposition.

[handysteel]

I think all politicians are bad news, none of them have any thought for the future beyond their own tender. Basically there is only one political party in Australia, as Labour and Liberals both have the same policies wrapped in different packaging.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Duplicate

Edited by Zaphod Beeblebrox, 25 March 2012 - 08:45 AM.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

In a democracy the people usually get the government they deserved. I am so glad I live in South Australia these days, we have a balanced and stable government and opposition.

I agree. SA has, since Don Dunstan, had one of the more intelligent, balanced governments, seemingly free of the excesses that we see in other states (Labor AND Lieberal).

[brumby]

The most pathetic comment on the election: "The blokes here just don't like women, especially women in charge.'' From Labor "heavyweight" Bill Ludwig.

The most perceptive of the dross I've read so far: http://www.brisbanet...0324-1vro0.html

He makes the very valid point (as did Anna Bligh) that Queenslanders have been itching to savage Labor for a decade or more but this is the first time they have had what they perceived to be an electable alternative. It's taken 20 years plus for the carcasse of the Joh era to finally decompose.

The other encouraging point is that Newman led his party to this election landslide from OUTSIDE the parliament. He couldn't even vote for himself because he doesn't live in his electorate.

[Captain Crunch]

No, not a disaster for democracy. This is democracy, in action.

I don't think a one party state is good for democracy. You'll get better government with an effective and credible opposition.

[brumby]

Name me a nation in the "developed" world which doesn't have what amounts to a "one party state" form of government. There hasn't been a fundamental difference between "left" and "right" anywhere for (you pick the number) decades.

That will not change as long as the fundamental goal of 99.99 percent of all politicians is to RUN the country.

[brettk]

The most pathetic comment on the election: "The blokes here just don't like women, especially women in charge.'' From Labor "heavyweight" Bill Ludwig.

The most perceptive of the dross I've read so far: http://www.brisbanet...0324-1vro0.html

He makes the very valid point (as did Anna Bligh) that Queenslanders have been itching to savage Labor for a decade or more but this is the first time they have had what they perceived to be an electable alternative. It's taken 20 years plus for the carcasse of the Joh era to finally decompose.

The other encouraging point is that Newman led his party to this election landslide from OUTSIDE the parliament. He couldn't even vote for himself because he doesn't live in his electorate.

agree i thought that article summed it up pretty well. i was waiting for the LNP to self destruct at some point leading up to the election again but they ran well except the few issues with brothels and porn sites. i find it dissapointing that most of the conversation i've had with friends seems to be around the two leaders. I think there was probably a lot of people voted in their local LNP member not having a clue who they are or what the party actually stands for. A pretty clear message though and the LNP now has a big job to keep the voting public on side.

i have my doubts that anything will change but i'm too young to remember anything but a labour government in QLD. i also work in the public sector so work should be interesting over the next 12 months.

[hired goon]

G'day,

In a democracy the people usually get the government they deserved.

I'm reminded of a somewhat apropos quote by the great H.L.Mencken: Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

--Geoff