Gillard to continue as PM: Australian hung election resolved
Of the independents and minor party members, Tony Crook (Nationals WA) and Bob Katter (Ind.) both backed the Coalition, while Adam Bandt (Greens), Andrew Wilkie (Ind.), Tony Windsor (Ind.) and Rob Oakeshott (Ind.) all offered their support to Labor, making it 76-74. Interesting, I don't think any of these figures have pledged to vote with their respective "side" on every issue, simply given their commitment to not support reckless no confidence motions or block supply. Hence, every issue will need to be debated on its merits (as it ought to be).
The final two figures to announce their intentions, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, mentioned three considerations as crucial in their decision: Labor's broadband policy (which is seen to favour rural Australia), the possibility of stability for the next three years (given Greens balance of power in the Senate and the recent swing against the ALP, they judged that Abbott was more likely to go to another vote sooner rather than later, which would be likely to remove their balance of power) and Labor's (slightly) stronger stance on climate policy.
So Prime Minister Gillard has avoided adding to her record as Australia's first female PM the dubious distinction of being one of its shortest-lived. Whether the ALP can govern with its herd of cats in support remains to be seen, but I'm not entirely cynical. It is a chance for much needed reforms in parliamentary processes, and will hopefully improve the quality of debate in the House as well as the Senate. But I'm not holding my breath on anything radically new emerging as a result.
In any case, I expect that governing will increasingly become a poisoned chalice as more of the serious global challenges of the next few decades continue to bite. It remains to be seen whether our political system can generate leaders willing to admit these difficulties honestly or whether we'll simply oscillate between alternative sides offering rosy visions of "progress resuming shortly".
I'd love to hear any other thoughts or reflections on this outcome.
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8 comments:
In deference to an earlier discussion, I note that Bob Katter cited the Rudd removal as part of his decision to support the Coalition.
From a constitutional standpoint I'm a touch relieved to find that the side more susceptible to sour memories of 1975 hasn't been further alienated.
Michael - Yes, though can I clarify: do you mean that ALP supporters are still hurting from Whitlam's dismissal and that losing an election under these circumstances would have re-opened old wounds?
The view from (one section of) the UK. And some reflections on the new place of the Greens in Oz politics.
Well for what is worth I have been extremely disappointed with the way in which Christians have spoken of either Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott. It seems to have become far more personal than policy based. I have heard the Christian left speaking of Abbott the way the Christian right in America might speak of Obama or Clinton...
Just my two cents. BTW, I have appreciated every one of your posts on the subject. It has been refreshingly thoughtful.
Byron,
--Yes, though can I clarify: do you mean that ALP supporters are still hurting from Whitlam's dismissal and that losing an election under these circumstances would have re-opened old wounds?--
Not quite; rather, that Whitlam's dismissal was the most recent event of similarly-polarising magnitude (this isn't perceived as just an election, but one lost by the skin of one's teeth), and that I see it as potentially unhealthy for the resultant sour-grapes to accumulate primarily on the same side of the political spectrum each time a particularly polarising election occurs.
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.
I have heard the Christian left speaking of Abbott the way the Christian right in America might speak of Obama or Clinton...
Can you say a little more what you mean by this? I assume you're referring to a discourse that simply demonises without acknowledging any shades of grey or mitigating benefits from Abbott?
BTW, I entirely agree that policies ought to get as much attention as personality currently does and vice versa.
I was amazed at the kind of personal attacks levelled at Tony Abbott - even by Getup! I found it dispaointing that the Christian left which is suppossed to be tollerant and accepting demonised Abbott becasue of his views (not policies). Of course Getup! where not as bad as the many posts I read on FB about moving to NZ had he become our PM. From what I saw very few people engaged the actual policies. So when I made reference to the Christian right in the USA I was referring to the level of personal attacks on Abbott over and against dialogue concerning the Liberal party's policies.
The left was doing to the right what it accusses the right of doing!
4 cents. :-)
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