D-day plus 17 …

… 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.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

2,892 comments on “D-day plus 17 …”

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  3. Puff

    Bless you all in SA(for trying) and Vic (for getting those seats) back for Labor. I agree about Pyne but would love the have some of our seats back. Next time hopefully.

  5. [Safe seats must be a bit boring for tragics like us]

    Tell me about it, madcyril. At least I get to look down the Great Big Hill & see Blair (ALP) at the bottom.

  6. So, Abbott and Hockey are backing Mesma. Forget about them. Abbott is a raging old-style DLP lefty when it comes to government intervention and Hockey believes in AGW.

    So, the $64 question for Robb: ‘Where’s Minchin?’

  8. From the link about Grog:

    [Scott was inspired to raise the matter with the news executive at its next meeting. “At the ABC, we identified that the dynamic political news was crowding out proper reporting of policy initiatives in some news bulletins – and that we needed to allocate more time to reporting some of these issues properly.

    “We adjusted our strategy as we listened to critics, our audiences – and critiqued our own coverage. Politics and policy are not binary choices. We need to do both.]

    I have to say I didn’t notice any difference at all in ABC reporting. They still failed to cover the policy issues just as all the major outlets did.

  11. [Tim Wilson says that the Broadband will be an opportunity for Oppn to demonstrate all the WASTE of the govt. again. Subtext – Labor can’t do anything right.]

    Apart from the fact that the trial rollouts have all come in below budget and early? Of course, it’s highly likely there will be delays and cost blowouts in any major infrastructure project but that needs to be looked at in proportion to what it is delivering.

  13. Minchin may be retiring. But he will not go quietly into the night if there is an opportunity to place an ecorat where he can do some damage.

  16. I cant find the 2PP with Labor ahead. The good thing is the count will be complete before parliament.

    I notice even Joyce had changed the spin ie. the 2PP count AT THE TIME THE INDEPENDENTS MADE THEIR DECISION

    This guys are re-writing the political handbook

  17. [andrewrobb will not be running for the liberal party deputy leaders position #ausvotes #abcnews24 2 minutes ago via web Retweeted by abc_investigate]

    Bummer. He has such a big “Shudder! No Way!” persona.

  23. [ it’s highly likely there will be delays and cost blowouts in any major infrastructure project but that needs to be looked at in proportion to what it is delivering.]

    Like the 2.7% complaint rate on the BER which means it was a resounding success under any mesaure. That of course is a fact the MSM did not focus on. The OO will latch onto any cost blowout no matter how minimal and beat it up out of all proportion – that can be guaranteed. Which is why the ALP must be passionate in it’s defense and not hide under a bushel.

  25. Shorten and Arib been fine ‘Ministers’ , and known to our Public being elected Labor reps
    so dont know what fuss is about here , both will quite correctly hold there positions in J
    Julia’s Govt

    Each is a convenor/steward within Labor structure organisation of Caucus MP’s , nothing unusual except those here copying MSN anti Labor bile naively not knowing how a mainstreen Party operates efficently

  31. [it’s highly likely there will be delays and cost blowouts in any major infrastructure project but that needs to be looked at in proportion to what it is delivering.]

    Yes, someone should go back and do an analysis of all the “cost blowouts” when the railways were built! I mean, someone should be accountable surely!!!

  36. The Nats have done their leadership thing already. No change. As leader of the Nats, Truss is automatically Opposition Deputy PM. Mesma is merely deputy of the Libs.

  38. Conroy slapped down Fran this morning stating there has been selective memory loss. 1998, Howard lost 18 seats & the 2PP vote.
    The Coalition had a swing of 2.62 against them.

  40. Thanks OzPol tragic, but what I’m wanting to know is how long a recount usually takes and how this will effect the return of Parliament. Sources tell me 21/28 September.

  44. [Is there such a thing?]

    I asked the same thing ages ago and someone (Psephos I think) said no, not when the parties are in opposition.

  46. “So, Abbott and Hockey are backing Mesma. Forget about them. Abbott is a raging old-style DLP lefty when it comes to government intervention and Hockey believes in AGW.

    So, the $64 question for Robb: ‘Where’s Minchin?’”
    What is AWG?

  49. Wondr how many of Public got told by MSN that Julia committed a billion to link wind , solar , geo thermal souses in areas from far north to south & west to grid for domestic & busines R E usage for co2 mitigation & enegy productivity

    Actualy , dont recall CC critics here either so praising such a wonderful infrastucture & CC plan Amazing & selective that

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