what a result - federal election 2010!

What a result!. right now a possible hung parliament, but maybe a coalition win of one seat with negotiated agreement of the 3 independents.

The Liberals have a "moral right" to govern, in that they had a higher primary vote than labor. Labor had a preference swap with the greens, and that 2nd preference has helped them to be nearly "over the line". In some places their vote dropped as low as 35% others 38%.

The greens now will have 9 in the senate after July , and 1 in the house of reps. 14%of the vote, and the preferences made them the kingmakers.

So what does this mean for the MRRT/PRRT?
Bob Brown is determined to bring on the MRRT. There will be no negotiation.

IF ONLY, the miners hadn't caved in, and had kept up their campaign. IF ONLY they had helped and fostered other candidates with email campaigns, and donations for advertising.(or their names on the ads) Much more could have been done.
Mine owners and miners thought the lobby groups would get the results, but they overlooked the fact that you MUST split the vote, with as many "voices" as possible.. you must get preferences or support from more than one group.

We can look forward to much more instability, and a futher damage to our good investment destination - our reputation.The sharemarket is likely to remain under the 4500 level for sometime.
The USA looks to be in more trouble and the 2nd wave recession is looming. so cut back on your costs, and unecessary spending.
I will keep up the lobby campaign to try to change the way the miners are taxed, (on nett not gross CGS ) but it doesnt look good.

If the liberals manage to make government, they might still be presured by the independents to charge the tax.
If labor wins it is a certainty. Either way the greens will demand it.

We might see another federal election in 18mths. so be ready.

Greens Bob Brown talk at the Press club today

Bob Brown spoke today at the national press club, and emphasised his plan to tax the miners and use that money for education and other causes.
The chances that the greens will hold the balance of power in the senate after Saturday 21.8.10 is very high, and the MRRT/Prrt will be revitalised. He gave the undertaking that he will try to take it further than Julia Gillard, and certainly seems determined.

Meg critised the greens today in saying that: the greens are not sticking to their green platform.
" they haven't even stopped the over- use of electricity in city office blocks at night. All they had to do was to stop or reduce the amounts claimable on tax by 50%. Businesses have been able to claim electricity costs on their tax returns, and
that means that the taxpayer has been funding this shocking waste".
She added,
"1. The Greens have not stopped pamphlets in letterboxes,(they are delivering their own electoral material)
2. The Greens are still going to hand out at polling booths despite knowing that the electoral office
attaches a booklet in the polling booth with all the preferences directed by all parties and groups
3. They have had 3 years to negotiate with labor for a better outcome for climate change and didn't do it.
4. The greens have accepted large donations from unions,(I thought he said 3 million?) despite Bob Brown's pontification that all donations should not be allowed. The federal election is already funded by $2.30 for every vote over the minimum 4% and the greens and the other big parties, will be given that money, as well as having been given donations.
Surely they should have to repay to the government,the donation amount. But I cant see that ever getting past the senate.. they all have their own self interest to protect, rather than the interest of the voters.
5. If the greens do win the balance of power in the senate, it is likely that there will be a double dissolution within 18 months.

Is mark Latham guilty of sedition?

see http://megansampson.blogspot.com re supporting Mark Latham and his call "not to vote"

re Sedition laws: Not old or outdated..

Australian sedition law is the area of the criminal law of Australia relating to the crime of sedition.Effectively defunct for nearly half a century, these laws returned to public notice in 2005 when changes were included in an Anti-terrorism Bill announced by Prime Minister Howard prior to a "counter-terrorism summit" of the Council of Australian Governments on September 27.
The Bill was introduced on November 3 and passed into law on December 6, 2005 after government amendments adding some protection for the reporting of news and matters of public interest were introduced in response to community pressure. The changed laws are to be reviewed in 2006.

Early prosecutions for sedition in Australia include:

the conviction of Henry Seekamp for seditious libel over the Eureka Rebellion in 1854; (how amazing that Julia Gillard is standing in the seat of Lalor Victoria- named after Peter Lalor the Eukeka Hero!)

the conviction of 13 trade union leaders of the 1891 Australian shearers' strike for sedition and conspiracy; and

the action against radical Harry Holland, jailed for two years in 1909 over his advocacy of violent revolution during the Broken Hill miners' strike.
During the First World War Sedition laws were used against those who opposed conscription and war, in particular the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in Australia [1]. In 1916 members of the IWW in Perth were charged with sedition including 83 year old Montague Miller, known as the grand old man of the labour movement. Miller was released after serving a few weeks of his sentence but was re-arrested in 1917 in Sydney at the age of 84 and sentenced to six months jail with hard labour at Long Bay Gaol on the charge of belonging to an unlawful association [2].

The Sydney Twelve were all charged and convicted with various offences including sedition.
ref wikpedia.

here's the link re the campaign junket

Here's the link to the campaign junket.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/05/2974190.htm?site=thedrum

And you can go to my blog http://megansamspon.blogspot.com

My campaign is not going forward.. as well as it should.
I'm not sure whether to agree to be a victim of the gruen nation or not..
I'll put up a pic of me in a tablecloth opposing the GG's 28,000 a year clothing allowance. Not sure if that will work.

The "status" of the election

I hate to say it, but it's enough to make one physically ill. The constant critising by labor and the continued nastiness. Even to calling Abbott a rabbit. So petty, so unproductive.I think we have to take the view that everyone who is brave enough to stand deserves some respect. But of course, the journalists are carted along on the free gravy train, ferried about like an exclusive entourage. All at the campaigners cost.(with launches at taxpayer expense!) Annabel Crab gives a good description of what happens.

While this two party preferred system continues to be promoted, no one else can even get a press release printed. The neilesen poll came out a few days ago and you can go to Anthony greens blog or to the abc.net.au/elections page, for a clearer picture.
The mining tax has become lost. dead , buried and cremated?

It seems to have been agreed by the big miners and that's that.. until it comes before the senate.. and a greens held senate will support labor!

right now, I would have to say that labor will win with the greens preferences. Even german TV is pronouncing that..

The sad thing is this: so many voters are saying they cant be bothered voting. they will just get their name crossed off. What a waste!