… and finally, the small matter of the result. The winner is Labor. Not a famous victory by any stretch of the imagination, but under the circumstances they’ll be happy with the four points. For my part, I have my doubts about members of parliament going against the obvious preference of their constituents in so fundamental a matter as government formation, barring the proverbial extraordinary and reprehensible standards. I’m not entirely sure that a bit of creative accounting from the Coalition clears the bar on this count. That said, I have no doubt none that conservatives tempted to echo these sentiments will find themselves constrained by their philosophy’s most eloquent champion, Edmund Burke, who famously told his constituents: Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion. (Burke’s speech has been given a fair run around the place in recent times, including by apparently learned people who would do well to read it through to the end.)
Besides, my difference of opinion with Windsor and Oakeshott is purely a matter of degree there were respectable arguments that could have been mounted whichever way they jumped. Ultimately they deserve our gratitude for the patient and considered fashion with which they have navigated through their delicate position. Most particularly, they should be heartily congratulated for ignoring a fortnight’s worth of quacking and bleating from a section of the media that does not at heart believe in consensus, checks and balances or even particularly in democracy. Whatever uncertainties might lie ahead, one thing is sure: these voices will spend the coming months and/or years peddling distortions and hyperbole to create a sense of crisis about a situation which in reality has every chance of serving Australia well. Long may the independents continue to turn a deaf ear.
It is actually 77-73 with Mad Bob not blocking supply and confidence
The Oakeshott heard around the world…
thank you
Diog, you iDIOt, i was right all along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who yelled out “who?” to that question on explaining to each of their electorates on their decision?
As Corinne Grant said this was the longest game of UNO in history.
Thank you ball boys, thank you ball girls.
Now everyone go home or to the pub.
See ya!
Greens in Senate a big factor
Poor Murdoch, he tried his hardest and still failed. He must feel terrible.
Wm
Hear hear.
>> they’ll be happy with the four points.
You get three points for a win in real Football.
These two guys are (as I expected) absolute gentlemen.
These guys are what the Liberal and National Parties should be.
The Big Oak
I did predict the ALP would win by a couple of votes in NSW – just didn’t think they’d be Independent MPs.
The Liberal & MSM meltdown will be fun to watch.
Abbott won’t take this gracefully, neither will his media mates!
Now Julia better be true to her word and put Kevin Rudd into a senior portfolio – the last box that needs to be ticked for me. 😉
Now the real work begins. We didn’t win, we just avoided losing. Gillard has a lot of work to bring the nation back together and regain the trust of Australia. This could possibly be the best thing that has happened for the country, the democracy and the ALP, if we use the opportunity right.
So, how long has it been since a government’s had a harder time getting a bill through the Reps than the Senate?
The biggest screamers will be the Nats. These two guys have achieved more for regional australia than the Nats have in 15 years.
Also they have shown that you can be progressive and not reactionary in the bush.
ABC puts the boot in :
Labor clings to power
Didn’t take long.
thankyou thankyou forces of reason
Oakeshott for Indigenous Affairs.
Journalists sitting on the floor.
[Poor Murdoch, he tried his hardest and still failed. He must feel terrible.]
don’t feel sorry for him – he’ll be instructing his journos to start dishing out a bucket-o-shyte on a daily basis to Labor, Green and the two Independents
Well said William.
[Diog, you iDIOt, i was right all along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
Ah Finns, you’re always right! 😀
With ~88% counted, Labor less than 1000 votes behind in the national 2PP.
There is a God (or maybe a Goddess) after all!
Windsor and Oakeshot have been mightily impressive representatives. They have been thorough gentlemen, diligent and honourable… if they are indicative of our next parliament then we will endure. Well done everybody.
I think my children grew up and had kids while I was waiting for Oakeshott to get to the point.
As previously advised, I’m never particularly delighted to see Labor win, but – for personal reasons I can’t entirely divulge – I’m walking on clouds at the moment at the thought of the pain and disappointment being currently experienced by Tony Abbott and some people close to him. I hope it soon developments into greater humiliation: I want to see pants off (metaphorically speaking).
victoria are you on line
you know the question you ask me the other day by 2 yes i did not want to say here because there is a lot or people who think i was mad.
man, Rob Oakshott can recall the details of page 12 in the “closing the gap” report. What class!
Yeeeeeehaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!
Absolutely wonderful result!!!!!!
And I had a nice wager on Labor last week when they were $3.10!!!!! Can now treat the OH to a nice meal with her favourite champers……..
And I’ll get my NBN………:)
ltep – you were wRONg heh 🙂
NBN to be rolled out through regional australia first – well done!
i rang Julia melbourne office over the moon the man said great day for the country
Kudos to the following three posters who came through in the tipping:
[al palster
dyno
Bushfire Bill]
HOW SWEET IT IS!
You go JULIA GILLARD!
Thankyou. Tears in the eyes.
#26: Yes, but he or she must be a Protestant!!
Actually just read what William wrote in the thread header – very wise and beautiful words.
Yes dave 😉
itep: once those 8 other electorates are included, Labor will win the 2PP, albeit very narrowly.
This is how I felt when I pulled out into traffic and almost got cleaned up by a fuel tanker, coz I was not alert. 2nd life.
Jules is first ELECTED female PM. Likes like broadband did it.
news.com.au – Gillard Scrapes In.
It took the most dismal election in generations with a total failure of policy engagment to bring about a parliament that will focus on politics.
shanahan in the Oz… “Independents rescue Labor from ruins”… f off Denis you fool!
Fran Kelly doing Abbott’s bidding
These men acted with dignity, grace and ethics under enormous pressure. They will have the nation’s thanks as we move forward and make this a better place for ourselves, and our descendants.
I suspect my most recent ancestor – still living and breathing at 90 will be have a little dance in his kitchen right now!!!
Press pack seem very upset. Grilling Indies.
*’Pop’ goes the champers*
Ohhh the press are not happy now are they…