Well election 2013, the first of many?

[ozbob]

Very Presidential style of campaigns, very shallow policy discussion overall.  News media over the top, and I expect it will bite them in time.

Celebrity candidates will do well.  I expect the Senate to be a party bag of many flavoured lollies.

This in turn will mean Abbott might find it a little more challenging than it first appears ...

Double Dissolution election could be on the cards.

Overall, no-one has impressed me much.

One of my daughters summed it up for me.  Pre-poll, voted for the Sex Party, "they have some good policies actually Dad" ..

Such a shame the Bullet Train for Australia mob had no candidates in Queensland ...

Enjoy the snags ...

[ozbob]

[Redrient]

I don't particularly like the presidential-style of doing things, either

With more minor party representation increasingly likely, we may just get that double dissolution sooner rather than later.

However, my observations:

Kevin Rudd far more comfortable with the public, off-the-cuff and untethered.

Tony Abbott more comfortable in the media sphere, scripted and pre-planned (I'll forego the obvious comment about NewsCorp helping with that one).

In my seat of Longman -  Been contacted personally by Michael Caisley's team about what will happen in Longman under Labor. From the coalition, up to 3 letters per day promoting Tony Abbott, a pre-recorded phone call from Tony Abbott promoting Tony Abbott, and a promoted facebook post from Wyatt Roy about cutting the carbon tax. No personal contact whatsoever.

At my pre-poll centre - on arrival LNP runs in to be first to shove how-to-vote cards to anything capable of a grabbing/holding motion. Labor offers but not shoves. Actual Green candidate there, greeting voters and chatting policy for those interested. Palmer party not represented. Katter Party offers how-to-vote cards.

On the policy front - Labor has vision, but history has taught me to be skeptical of their ability to deliver (either competently, or at all).
                                I like: NBN, Better Schools (in principal, and I love the long-term investment, but I'd like to see more detail on how it will achieve its aims), health investment (lots more to do), commitment to HSR    corridor preservation, instant-asset write-off for small business.
                                Don't like: increasing bureaucracy layers,  seeming inability to manage projects.

                               LNP lacks vision, seems happy to sell the house whilst on hands and knees to the almighty "economy"
                               I like: Seems able to manage projects adequately
                               Don't like: Tony Abbott, John Howard's legacy cabinet, half-assed NBN, inequitable paid-parental leave, dissociation from urban rail investment, taxing cuts to company tax (mid-sized business) as opposed to small business, general denial/ignorance of social issues e.g. marriage equality.
                               I'd like to hear more: Undecided on "Direct Action" policy. At first glance, it seems unable to achieve its aims for its capped costings. Potentially rewards polluters.

After being in the studio audience for Q and A on Monday night, I was, for the most part, pleased with Kevin Rudd's performance. In his style, he met people after the show was filmed, and gave a good impression of where he's at on issues. Restoring family payments to single mothers, (potentially) breaking supermarket price wars destroying milk prices in the dairy industry (sure, we might think it's good to pay $1 per litre, but what does the farmer get?), and who could forget the marriage equality issue. West Wing comparisons aside, I respected the passion in his response. Of course, commentary was mixed, but a piece on ABC's The Drum accused me (and the entire audience) of being "hostile to christian values". I don't think I have to cop that for being in favour of marriage equality.

The next night, I received a phone call out-of-the-blue. It was a teleforum with Michael Caisley (Longman ALP candidate), Graham Perrett (ALP, Moreton), Yvette D'Ath (ALP, Petrie) and Kevin Rudd, answering more questions from the people, live over the phone. I was pretty pleased with this question and answer session, and disappointed noone from the LNP was around to offer an alternate viewpoint.

So, I've had no engagement whatsoever from the LNP, and several good chances from Labor (including some in-person opportunities I haven't mentioned).

I may be dubious on their ability to get things done, but they've at least tried to get my vote, and have a vision, particularly for infrastructure.

That's why I voted for Labor.

[ozbob]

Welcome Redrient!

Lack of support for urban rail and public transport puts Abbott off side with me, and many others I expect.

Labor recognises the fact that more than roads is needed for the transport task, cities and nationwide.

NLP do support some freight rail, time will tell.

[red dragin]

I don't like either of them, but Abbott gives me a really bad feeling, will vote everyone else first just to keep him out.

We go at about 5.50pm, avoid most of the flyer people that way.

[Gazza]

I understand why you are doing this but in all but a few electorates, this really is a waste of time on two party prefered system.

It's not really a waste of time....Of course, it's a single transferable vote, so if you vote for a minor candidate your vote will eventually settle with one of the major parties in the end, no argument there.

But what it does is send a message to the major parties and their strategists that people don't like their polices, so they'll perhaps start taking more care.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> The derpiest campaign of them all

[ozbob]

[red dragin]

I don't like either of them, but Abbott gives me a really bad feeling, will vote everyone else first just to keep him out.

We go at about 5.50pm, avoid most of the flyer people that way.

I understand why you are doing this but in all but a few electorates, this really is a waste of time on two party prefered system. Personally I don't see too many independents getting in the lower house this time. The public are by and larged p%ssed  off with ALP Julia/Rudd BS and those 4 independents are probably going to be reduced to 1-2 at best as punishment.

Bob is I think right, ALP understand it better, problem is the current basket case cannot manage a chook raffle and the public is by and large fed up with it and will forgo commitments to PT which most don't see a a fed issue anyway and other nicities to get back on track. After 7 years in power, not one balanced budget, some people at least do get concerned and remember it took Howard half of his 11 year term to return to a balanced budget from a much lower defict level.

For the record, when Rudd was a backbencher or shaddow in Howard's day's. I had a lot of time for him and when he bacame PM I thought maybe soemthing fresh is what we need, but in power I think he looses it. His own party felt the same 3 years back and now back in PM role I am seeing similar again. From what I understand Barry O'Farrell cancelled a meeting walked down to the waterfront in Sydney to confront Rudd over Garden Island relocation and stated infront of the press, "A phone call would have been nice!". If this was true, you basically don't annouce to the media you will relocate something like Garden Island without first talking to the state Premier. I think he tried to run a one man show too much, Peter Beatie was similar but made it work. Rudd hasn't.

Sorry, missed a bit on my post. Labor up the top, creepy guy down the bottom. I am in the "Brisbane" electorate, which I think is a safe LNQ seat at the moment anyway (though ALP for nearly 80 years prior to 2010).

[ozbob]

NLP costings have been made available ..

    Reductions in projected aid spending of $4.5bn will be allocated to other Coalition policy priorities, including productive infrastructure such as Melbourne's East West link ($1.5bn), Sydney's WestConnex ($1.5bn) and the Brisbane Gateway Motorway upgrade ($1bn).

    The Coalition remains committed to the Millennium Development goal of increasing foreign aid to 0.5% of GNI over time, but cannot commit to a date given the current state of the federal budget after six years of Labor debt and deficit.

    As well, the Coalition will re-prioritise foreign aid allocations towards non-government organisations that deliver on-the-ground support for those most in need.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/04/election-2013-costings-kevin-rudd-politics-live-blog?CMP=twt_gu

[ozbob]

You have been shafted Oz ..

============

Twitter

Daniel Hurst ‏@danielhurstbne

But infrastructure savings incl not proceeding w/ Melb metro rail $75m, BNE cross river rail $453m; Perth urban rail $100m #auspol #ausvotes

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Hockey closes campaign with a joke

Joke alright, but don't think many are laughing ... 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Sharpe ‏@PennySharpemlc

$4.7bil of urban rail projects gone in 10 sweaty minutes. #ausvotes #publictransport  http://t.co/uuf4l5NfGG

[ozbob]

Twitter

timhollo ‏@timhollo 22m

#Costings p2 is revealing - LibNats will spend $11.5b on roads and cut $4.7b of urban rail projects: http://www.scribd.com/doc/165635755/Coalition-Costings-Table ...

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> Coalition costings: we finally get them and they're just political fluff

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen --> Invasion of the dinosaurs #AusVotes

[Mr X]

Working tomorrow as a polling official, should be a good day. I'll be supporting Palmer then Rudd. I'm in Griffith & Bill Glasson sounds like a nice guy, but because of the Abbott factor he can't get my vote.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1h

Laurie Oakes: If Tony Abbott remains a weather vane he will not succeed as PM http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/laurie-oakes-if-tony-abbott-remains-a-weather-vane-he-will-not-succeed-as-pm/story-e6freon6-1226713602119 ... ... #ausvotes #auspol Laurie ends it well

===============

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1h

Labor Party had this defeat coming http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-labor-party-had-this-defeat-coming/story-fnihsr9v-1226713580003 ... #ausvotes #auspol 'Labor failed to listen to the result of the state election'

===============

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 4h

For the Coalition, it seems all over, bar the shouting http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/for-the-coalition-it-seems-all-over-bar-the-shouting-20130906-2taum.html ... via @brisbanetimes #ausvotes #auspol

===============

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1h

@TonyAbbottMHR For all Australians means more than just roads Tony. We need PT and urban rail as much as roads .. #ausvotes #auspol

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 28s

RAIL operators have slammed the Coalition's plans to dump federal funding ... urban rail http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/rail-operators-lament-roads-rule/story-e6frfkp9-1226712555153 ... #ausvotes #auspol #qldpol

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 54s

Succession plan in place for Abbott team http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/succession-plan-in-place-for-abbott-team-20130906-2taox.html ... via @brisbanetimes #ausvotes #auspol

[ozbob]

Twitter

The Global Mail ‏@TheGlobalMail 12h

Calling it: Who really wins this election (and who loses) http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-abbott-election-legend-robin-hood-in-reverse/695/ ... #ausvotes #auspol

[ozbob]

All over ...

The ALP failed to heed the lessons from the QLD landslide.  Same all over again ...

Election cycles come and go. 

[ozbob]

Looks like Clive Palmer has won the seat of Fairfax ...

SEQ Labor is actually standing up well.  Defying the polls ..

Abbott is PM.   Senate will be fascinating based on the results.  Not the massive landslide predicted, still a major swing but clearly a lot of people not happy with labor but also not happy with NLP ..

[techblitz]

SEQ Labor is actually standing up well.  Defying the polls ..

hardly a surprise when 14000 sacked public servants are exercising their right to vote

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> Senate election results: Abbott may be forced to negotiate over core promises

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1m

Senate looms as an obstacle to Tony Abbott http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/senate-looms-as-an-obstacle-to-tony-abbott-20130907-2tcqu.html ... via @brisbanetimes #ausvotes #auspol

[ozbob]

Twitter

Stephen Mayne ‏@MayneReport 10h

If Alannah McTiernan wins Perth for Labor, she should be made rail spokesman to wedge Abbott and highlight Mandurah rail success.

===============

McTiernan has won Perth ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queenslanders in a cloud of dissent

... What this result in Queensland does do, however, is send a message to the Newman Government that while it might have been fiscally responsible to put government employees out of work, it's now time to listen to the priorities of the people.

The pre-election mandate on asset sales needs to be kept. Government appointments should be open and transparent. Management of education, health, infrastructure and other state services needs to ensure services are accessible to all ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 9s

Southern discomfort: the states where Labor lost the election http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/southern-discomfort-the-states-where-labor-lost-the-election-20130908-2tdi1.html ... via @brisbanetimes #ausvotes #auspol #qldpol #springst

This -->

[ozbob]

http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Media%20Releases/13-09-9%20Rail-industry-welcomes-certainty.pdf

ARA Media Release

9 September 2013

Rail Industry welcomes certainty

The rail industry congratulates Prime Minister elect Tony Abbott and Leader of The National's Warren Truss on their electoral victory and looks forward to the 'Infrastructure Prime Minister' being a strong driver of reform and investment across the whole transport infrastructure sector.

Australasian Railway Association (ARA) CEO Bryan Nye said the rail industry is especially pleased at commitments made during the campaign by the Coalition to get the Inland Rail project up and moving.

"The Inland Rail project will complete an economic missing link in our nation's freight network," said Mr Nye.

"We will now also be looking for early confirmation of existing funding for a number of other rail freight projects that are crucial to meeting the Nation's growing freight task", Mr Nye continued.

Projects include rail developments at Port Botany, the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal, Advanced Train Management Systems (ATMS) technology, Freight Rail revitalisation in Tasmania, the Scone level crossing project and Northern Sydney Freight Corridor ongoing improvements.

"ARA looks forward to discussing other rail infrastructure projects with both the Federal and State Governments, which will not only assist in the national freight task but will also relieve congestion on the urban networks in our major cities through separation of freight and urban rail lines," Mr Nye continued.

"The Inland Rail will achieve this as it has the potential to unblock an infrastructure bottleneck that currently sees Brisbane to Melbourne freight unnecessarily travelling through Sydney, congesting road and rail networks alike.

"With the newly elected government's support, now more than ever we need to keep the momentum moving forward and not lose sight of this nation building project," Mr Nye concluded. Whilst around half of the inland rail route has been completed, additional funding commitments will see the construction of the remaining sections commence- including the construction of a tunnel capable of taking double stacked trains through the Toowoomba range.

Total estimates of the project cost of the remaining sections are around $5 billion. Of the route, 41 per cent has existing track, 25 per cent has track that needs to be upgraded and 34 per cent requires new track.

-ENDS -

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1m

Mandate to perform a balancing act http://www.smh.com.au/business/mandate-to-perform-a-balancing-act-20130909-2tg9i.html ... via @smh #auspol #qldpol #springst #nswpol #sapol #wapol #taspol

[ozbob]

Election watch --> Senate preferences explained - in graphics

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> The data that proves Tony Abbott should change his mind on public transport

[ozbob]

First Abbott Ministry --> http://www.scribd.com/doc/168478869/Tony-Abbott-s-first-Ministry

[mufreight]

The Abbott ministry is significant in that while there is a Minister for Infrastructure there is no Minister for Transport, obviously Transport is not considered to have any importance by Mr Abbott.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Abbott's transport priorities drive Australia into the past --> http://theconversation.com/abbotts-transport-priorities-drive-australia-into-the-past-17988 ... they are on to you Tony ... #auspol #qldpol #springst

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

OK to go into debt to build roads and railways, economists say --> http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/jessica-irvine/ok-to-go-into-debt-to-build-roads-and-railways-economists-say/story-fnj45kvf-1226721293729 ... #auspol #qldpol #springst

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bill Shorten elected Labor leader

[ozbob]

Twitter

Daniel Hurst ‏@danielhurstbne 2m

Big news. AEC has lost 1375 ballots from WA Senate recount: Special Min of State Michael Ronaldson, labelling it "disconcerting" #auspol

==================



Oh dear ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

David Speers ‏@David_Speers 3m

Nick Minchin (a fmr minister in charge of AEC) says he's shocked and appalled, may need to re-run WA senate election. @SkyNewsAust