Aussies LXI- Summer is coming!

[SeanF]

Did the dirty deed and voted, here in my blue ribbon seat of Bradfield.

It struck me that there seems to be a massive generational divide over this. All the statuses I see on facebook, the board here as well, twitter, whatnot...everything is talking about how terrible Tony Abbott is and how this is going to be a disaster with him as PM. Going by the technosphere, you'd have thought it was a landslide to Labor, and yet the Coalition is probably going to take this easily.

While that might be fun for them, the Coalition is going to have to appeal to younger voters at some point otherwise they're going to be electorally wiped out down the track (unless these young voters turn conservative later on, which is also possible).

I think the technosphere is pretty unrepresentative of public opinion in general.

In most democracies, younger voters vote left, older voters vote right.

[Ouroboros]

Can't say I'm surprised. Can say I'm fucking angry.

Surprised Kevin bowed out with a bit of grace.

Wonder who the leader of the Opposition will be. My money is on Shorten.

[Jeor]

In most democracies, younger voters vote left, older voters vote right.

Yeah, that does explais the liberal-leaning (liberal in the broader lefty sense of the word) technosphere.

Bit disappointed by Abbott's speech, he needn't have mentioned that Labor's vote was the lowest in 100 years - made him sound a bit gloating and crass. Same thing with Rudd, who said "eat your heart out Bill Glasson" (his opponent in Griffith).

[Jeor]

Re: Labor leader, I think Albanese or Plibersek would be good choices, but it's probably going to be Shorten. Bowen might be in there somewhere as well.

[Callum]

I'd like to see Plibersek but can't see it happening. It was Bishop's speech that didn't sit well with me for some reason...

I am interested to see in the longer term how News Limited handle reporting of the new government.

[karaddin]

I think the immediate leader will be Shorten or Bowen, the leader that will go to the next election with a chance of victory will not be whoever takes it next. I would like to see Tanya in that role.

[Every]

I think the immediate leader will be Shorten or Bowen, the leader that will go to the next election with a chance of victory will not be whoever takes it next. I would like to see Tanya in that role.

I agree, but I also think Shorten and Bowen are more than canny enough to know that. I would be surprised if either of them takes the reins.

[Jeor]

One fact that was quite interesting was that Abbott lost the last election but had the full three years as Opposition leader to get to this eventual victory. There are very few party leaders that survive an election loss and make it to the next one, let alone win. Some credit has to go to the Liberal party leadership (and particularly Malcolm Turnbull) for such stability, which has paid off this time.

[Warg Arry]

That's the key though isn't it? Stability. More than policies and promises or even who is the best person for the future of Australia. Labour kept proving that they couldn't keep it straight amongst them selves.

Tony Abbott was showing to be an un-popular choice. But they stuck with him.

From the comments I've read. People couldn't be sure that if they voted for Kevin. It would be Kevin serving as the PM tomorrow or next year. These last couple of years have been a mess. And people are over it.

Abbott for PM wasn't the result I was hoping for. The man kind of terrifies me (I really hope he proves my worst fears wrong). But I can see why the Liberals got the vote.

Stability over the puppet show.

[The Marquis de Leech]

There are very few party leaders that survive an election loss and make it to the next one, let alone win. \.

Whitlam managed it twice (loss/win then loss/loss). Beazley managed a loss/loss.

[Seli]

I filled in 110 squares just so I could put Hanson last.

*like*

for some time earlier today I thought she had won her seat, but apparently it was the ABC not being clear enough.

[Commodore]

Rupert Murdoch straight trollin

[Ouroboros]

The man isn't even Australian any more. Wish he'd leave us alone.

[Jeor]

Whitlam managed it twice (loss/win then loss/loss). Beazley managed a loss/loss.

Yeah, post-Whitlam there's only been Beazley, so it's been pretty rare (to keep a party leader on after an election loss all the way to the next one). There was also Howard, who was defeated in 1987 before he won 1996, but he was forced out in between so his election contests weren't consecutive.

I do have to agree with some of Rudd's sentiments though, in that the loss wasn't as bad as thought, and some important people for the Labor party were able to retain their seats. It's still important to have a strong opposition.

I want to see how the Senate shakes out after the dust has settled. If the Coalition don't win that (and I doubt they will) then people will feel safer from an Abbott government. If he waters down some of his crazier policies (or is forced to by the Senate) it could turn out to be a decent government.

That being said, I expect within the first few weeks, the Abbott government will declare the public finances to be worse than first thought, and then use that as justification to water down some of their election promises right from the start.

[Ouroboros]

That being said, I expect within the first few weeks, the Abbott government will declare the public finances to be worse than first thought, and then use that as justification to water down some of their election promises right from the start.

Campbell Newman taught them well.

[SeanF]

One fact that was quite interesting was that Abbott lost the last election but had the full three years as Opposition leader to get to this eventual victory. There are very few party leaders that survive an election loss and make it to the next one, let alone win. Some credit has to go to the Liberal party leadership (and particularly Malcolm Turnbull) for such stability, which has paid off this time.

He did, however, eliminate Labor's majority in 2010. Unless a leader obviously crashes and burns, it's best to give them another chance.

[Maltaran]

If you don't count the Lib Dems, the last Brit to lose two elections as party leader was Neil Kinnock in 87 and 92.

[brook]

If the senate ends up the way ABC are currently predicting all I can say is wtf Australia?

[karaddin]

I agree, but I also think Shorten and Bowen are more than canny enough to know that. I would be surprised if either of them takes the reins.

Agree with this as well, they both know it's poison, I just think one of them will get stuck with it. They are too obviously the next to turn to.

[Commodore]

I like how openly partisan Aussie politicians are, much more honest then the ruling class club we have here in the US