Queensland State Election 31st January 2015

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> Queensland waits: Labor and the LNP's conflicting claims to power

[ozbob]

Twitter

Campbell Newman ‏@theqldpremier 1 minute ago

I will update @QldGovernor on current situation this morning #qldpol

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Governor ‏@QldGovernor 5 minutes ago

1/2 Premier Newman @theqldpremier this morning tendered to me his resignation with effect from appointment of new Premier.

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Twitter

Queensland Governor ‏@QldGovernor 4 minutes ago

2/2 I will commission new Premier following #qldvotes polls declaration. PdeJ

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/feb/10/queensland-election-seven-questions-about-the-possible-outcomes

3. Will there be a byelection in Ferny Grove?

Possible, but unlikely, election experts say. The Palmer United party candidate Mark Taverner has been disqualified from the race because he was an undischarged bankrupt. As a result both the electoral commission and the Liberal National party say they will refer the result to the court of disputed returns. The high court precedent is that in a preferential voting system, disqualified candidates don't matter.

But the Queensland court will have to decide whether, under the state's optional preferential voting system, Taverner's votes that were not distributed to other candidates as preferences (exhausted votes) would have been enough to swing the result had his name not been on the ballot paper.

Labor's winning margin is likely to be between 400 and 500 votes. Taverner received 987 votes. Even assuming half of those were exhausted (and just 5% of the 29,338 counted votes in Ferny Grove have been exhausted), the LNP would have to argue that virtually all voters who chose not to preference anyone would have voted for them had Taverner not been on the ballot.

A University of Queensland law professor, Graeme Orr, says legal precedent is not on the LNP's side. The ABC's election guru, Antony Green, likewise says he does not expect a byelection in Ferny Grove.

[pandmaster]

The difference with other jurisdictions - like the UK, Canada and Germany - is that their 'hung parliaments' are often controlled by multiple major parties. Canada has the Conservatives, Liberals, New Democratic and Bloc Québécois (Quebec Nationalists) - where NDP align with the Conservatives socially and the Liberals fiscally, and BQ is a French nationalist party. Similar situation in the UK and Germany. If BQ are off with the pixies about turning part of British Columbia into a French colony, a party can negotiate with the NDP instead.

What is happening in Queensland is you have two major parties with a few independents set to hold the state 'hostage'. If the ALP/LNP both win 43 seats, Rob Katter can do whatever he damn well wants to with the state, and his views represent those held by a small minority of Queenslanders. I think it is generally unhealthy for one party to hold the balance of power in any representative body (Senate included).

The major parties are both over represented. They almost always win a higher proportion of seats than first preference votes. As the electoral system is not proportional, it is inevitable certain people will be over or under represented. In a proportional system this would not happen. Yes Wellington and the KAP MPs have a lot more clout now than the previous parliament (and they probably should be entitled to) however the Greens and Palmer have zero clout when both attracted a sizeable amount of the vote.

I maintain that a hung parliament is no big deal. The Gillard government got a lot of legislation through a hung parliament. NZ gets by just fine and it is basically impossible to get a majority in their system. The ECQ will count all the votes and once the results are declared the parliament will get down to business. A hung parliament moderates the governments policies a bit and forces them to negotiate and consult, which I think is better than having a majority. If it is unhealthy s it better to have a majority in all houses than

As for Quebec and Quebecois, I would not go around saying they are French. They are fervently not French, but Quebecois and for some of them Canadians. It is very tough for them to maintain their culture in a majority-Anglophone state, so I can understand their rejection of mainstream political parties. I think that is one of the main reasons they get hung parliaments so often in Canada: the second-most populous province likes to vote its own way rather than maintain the dichotomy. They just look out for their own interests and certainly do not push things on other provinces, other than perhaps providing government services in French and English. AFAIK the NDP are a socially and economically progressive party and see very little eye-to-eye with the conservatives (like the Greens and Coalition here).

Need 4 year terms. And maybe proportional voting for the lower house. That would work well and not require an upper house. Minority status would keep parties in check.

NZ and Sweden operate on this system. There are still two main players but more scope for deal making, and much more diversity in who you want to pick.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Parliament
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riksdag

I agree on both. I am a huge fan of NZ's MMP system. Four year terms needed as three years is too short: there is another election before you know it. Queensland has the advantage of not having to convince an upper house to abolish itself. I am disappointed that the Greens have not though outside the box by simply proposing an upper house.

[ozbob]

7 News --> 'No guarantee' of Ferny Grove by-election

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: The caretaker's number is up

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Labor preparing to govern, "move quickly" once election is decided

[ozbob]

Twitter

Antony Green ‏@AntonyGreenABC 3 minutes ago

A quick comment of the Ferny Grove preference count and what it reveals about possible court case #qldvotes #qldpol http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2015/02/ferny-grove-preference-distribution-published.html ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Kerrin Binnie ‏@kerrinbinnie 10 minutes ago

The Qld Electoral Commission has declared all 89 seats in #qldvotes ALP 44 LNP 42 KAP 2 IND 1

[ozbob]

An arrogant Newman Government defeated. An impossible task the so called ' experts ' said ...

Hey Bro'   this is Queensland!   


Q U E E N S L A N D E R  !

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

 




Still expect LNP to challenge but unlikely to succeed IMHO.

[dancingmongoose]

Did Labor win, or did the LNP lose?

[petey3801]

As the old saying goes, Governments don't win elections, they lose them!

[ozbob]

Twitter

ABC News 24 ‏@ABCNews24 29 seconds ago

Annastacia Palaszczuk: The Governor has asked me to form government and I have accepted #qldpol #qldvotes

[ozbob]

Twitter

Kathy McLeish ‏@kathymcleish1 2 minutes ago

Nicklin MP @pwellingtonmp takes a call from Premier Elect @AnnastaciaMP - "you'll be a wonderful Premier!"

[ozbob]

Twitter

ABC News 24 ‏@ABCNews24 2 minutes ago

Annastacia Palaszczuk: An interim ministry will be sworn in tomorrow #qldpol #qldvotes

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Governor ‏@QldGovernor 8 seconds ago

This afternoon I received @AnnastaciaMP and invited her to form government. PdeJ

[red dragin]

Shouldn't it be Peter Wellington being sworn as he has all the power now 

[ozbob]

I would not be surprised if Peter was offered a Ministry ...

[techblitz]

surely jackie trad is odds-on for transport minister....

[ozbob]

surely jackie trad is odds-on for transport minister....

Maybe not ... 

[ozbob]

Twitter

7News Brisbane ‏@7NewsBrisbane 5 minutes ago

.@AnnastaciaMP is arriving at Gov House to be sworn in as Qld's new Premier. LIVE STREAM | http://yhoo.it/1FIAvqo 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 5 minutes ago

. @AnnastaciaMP tele at #Inala plaza ... :-) ping @HenryPalaszczuk #qldpol #qldvotes

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Governor ‏@QldGovernor 3 minutes ago

The Governor swore in @AnnastaciaMP as Premier & @jackietrad & @Curtis_Pitt_MP as Ministers & Exec Crs



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

Full cabinet will be appointed and sworn in in a few days or so ...

[techblitz]

milton perhaps should be interesting...either way...consider the 100buz the new porkbarrel route....with about as much chance of being scrapped/adjusted as the maroon glider...

[ozbob]

The 100 Buz is going to re-liveried  as the 'Inala Inspiration' I am told ... 

The MGlider is being extended to Ferny Grove ..   

[techblitz]

The 100 Buz is going to re-liveried  as the 'Inala Inspiration' I am told ... 

[#Metro]

I can imagine Blue Team HQ must be chocking on their breakfast cereal watching this. Annastacia deserves it - blue team drongos spent their whole three years talking about Red Team This, Red Team that, blah blah blah, and those irritating mind-numbing media releases STILL blaming the previous Bligh admin.

I find it difficult to recall any major Blue team works - did they build anything other than the public service building at 1 william st?

[ozbob]

I can imagine Blue Team HQ must be chocking on their breakfast cereal watching this. Annastacia deserves it - blue team drongos spent their whole three years talking about Red Team This, Red Team that, blah blah blah, and those irritating mind-numbing media releases STILL blaming the previous Bligh admin.

I find it difficult to recall any major Blue team works - did they build anything other than the public service building at 1 william st?

Grade separations Telegraph Road and Geebung.   All the other major PT infrastructure has been Labor lead (MBRL was continued by LNP) and supported by the Feds, even Wulkuraka.

The LNP reduced the number NGR trains though.

[techblitz]

in parliament sittings.....90% of question time is spent on the red/blue teams bagging each other

[ozbob]

It is complete ..

> http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/

[ozbob]

New Cabinet

[ozbob]

Deputy Premier Jacki Trad is Minister for Transport.

[ozbob]

Media release 15th February 2015

Queensland:  Congratulations to the new Minister for Transport and thanks to former Transport Ministers

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has congratulated the Deputy Premier Jackie Trad on appointment as Minister for Transport, and thanked the former Minister and Assistant Minister.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Congratulations to the Deputy Premier Jackie Trad on being appointed to Minister for Transport"

"We would like to thank the former Minister for Main Roads and Transport, Scott Emerson and the Assistant Minister for Public Transport, Steve Minnikin for their contributions to public and active transport in the former Government."

"Queensland Labor has been approachable in the past on public transport matters and we look forward to working with the new Minister and Government to progress public transport in Queensland."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brisbane Times ‏@brisbanetimes 4 minutes ago

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced her new Cabinet #qldpol http://bit.ly/1Cva7wP

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/2/15/queenslands-new-cabinet-focusses-on-jobs

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
Sunday, February 15, 2015

Queensland's new Cabinet focusses on jobs

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says her new Cabinet will be focussed on job creation, listening to Queenslanders and acting on their concerns, while restoring integrity and accountability to government in Queensland.

"The new Cabinet is an exciting mix of experience and fresh talent," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"My Government is committed to delivering on the election commitments we made to Queenslanders, and my Cabinet is the team that will fulfil that task.

"First and foremost, today I have directed the Government to cease any and all work being undertaken on the former Government's asset sales program.

"Today I have delivered on another commitment to reduce the number of Ministers from 19 under my predecessor to 14, saving taxpayers $27 million in this term.

"Including myself, my Cabinet will include four Ministers with previous Cabinet experience, ensuring a smooth transition for the new Government.

"Ministers such as Curtis Pitt, Cameron Dick and Kate Jones bring with them a wealth of previous Cabinet and Parliamentary experience, while the new faces bring their own special skills and experience.

"Coralee O'Rourke, the Member for Mundingburra, will also be in the Cabinet as Minister for Disabilities and Minister for Seniors, along with specific responsibilities for Northern Queensland, exceeding my original commitment to have an Assistant Minister for Northern Queensland.

"The Assistant Minister's position will now be filled by Stirling Hinchliffe who will directly assist me on integrity and accountability issues while also serving as Leader of the House in State Parliament.

"I'm excited by the level of talent and fresh ideas my Ministers will bring to Cabinet. I have no doubt they will hit the ground running when it comes to delivering for Queenslanders."

Ms Palaszczuk said she had also moved to appoint Dave Stewart to the position of Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

"Dave is a highly experienced public servant who has served as a Director-General in Queensland and for the New South Wales Government.

"I'd like to place on record my appreciation to Jon Grayson for the work he has done as Director-General over the past three years and for his commitment to ensuring a smooth and professional transition.

"Until Mr Stewart takes up the position of Director-General it will be filled on an interim basis by long-serving public servant Kevin Yearbury."

Palaszczuk Cabinet:

Premier and Minister for the Arts
Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Member for Inala

Deputy Premier
Minister for Transport
Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
Minister for Trade
Jackie Trad MP
Member for South Brisbane

Treasurer
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
Curtis Pitt MP
Member for Mulgrave

Minister for Health
Minister for Ambulance Services
Cameron Dick MP
Member for Woodridge

Minister for Education
Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Small Business
Minister for the Commonwealth Games
Kate Jones MP
Member for Ashgrove

Minister for State Development
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
Dr Anthony Lynham MP
Member for Stafford

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Minister for Training and Skills
Yvette D'Ath MP
Member for Redcliffe

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Minister for Corrective Services
Jo-Ann Miller MP
Member for Bundamba

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
Minister for Sport and Racing
Bill Byrne MP
Member for Rockhampton

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports
Minister for Energy and Water Supply
Mark Bailey MP
Member for Yeerongpilly

Minister for Housing and Public Works
Minister for Science and Innovation
Leeanne Enoch MP
Member for Algester

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection
Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef
Steven Miles MP
Member for Mount Coot-tha

Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Seniors
Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
Coralee O'Rourke MP
Member for Mundingburra

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth
Minister for Child Safety
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Shannon Fentiman MP
Member for Waterford

Leader of the House
Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier
Stirling Hinchliffe MP
Member for Sandgate

[techblitz]

Deputy Premier Jacki Trad is Minister for Transport.