NSW State Election
Is it just me or is this the most boring NSW election in recent history? Perhaps with fixed terms there is now no theatre left in the process. However my guess is that the funding of state governments is now so fixed by federal state relations that the entire enterprise of state government is purely a managerial one. There is no point offering to cut government spending because that would just mean giving it back to Canberra (ie not to the citizens). It seems that the best that anybody can offer to do is to waste our money more carefully than the other mob.
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No, that’s not true. It is not just a managerial issue as a great deal of ideology comes into it.
The public school system is a case in point. Religious vilification laws were introduced by a state labor on behalf of Muslims. After much legal wrangling the vic Supreme court through out the charge.
The water system is a shambles under labor governments. Rather than introducing private ownerhip and allowing private damns or even desal plants they have obeyed their greenie masters by shelving any plans to build a damn.
The Liberal party would be better off if it followed its own manifesto rather than pretenting its labor light.
You’re attitude is one of splitting things down the middle, which is not true or should not be seen like that. Labor is a socialist grouping that ougfht to be looked at exactly for what it is.
The other party is not a socialist grouping. There is always hope they will begin to follow their own core beliefs.
I agree that the NSW Liberals are looking like Labor light.
There is always hope. However if the Liberals have plans to privatise water services they are doing a good job of keeping it a secret. So far the Liberals major commitment to water reform seems to be subsidies for residential water tanks.
I think the most interesting result would be if both leaders lost their seats. I would like for the house to be hung, with libertarian-minded inpependents holding the balance of power, and forcing through a lessening of our red-tape overload. The odds of such a result are at least 100 to 1, but I’ll put the Shooters Party first anyway, if they have a local member.
There’s plenty of taxes to cut… eliminating payroll tax would be a good one – that about $6bill right there in NSW. Many individual liberties are restricted at state level as well.
The depressing thing for me is that both state parties are essentially left wing… Worse, Debnam is a “Gore’s Truth” convert apparantly – already promising millions to solar, subsidies for water tanks and lots of other inefficient crap.
Better than the alternative? Of course… and here’s a scary thought: if they don’t get in this time, they’ll probably think they need to move even further left! *shudder*
Since LDP isn’t running, how about a thread on “Which party/independant should a libertarian vote for in NSW?” – I was intending to do one myself on my own blog, but been too sick this last week to get around to it.
I’m looking at Outdoor Rec Party and Shooter’s party… but the libertarian field is pretty slim.
How are they libertarian beyond the obvious issue?
The only parties that come close are the ORP and SP. Peter Breen’s party are big on civil liberties but economically hard left.
Oh Peter Breen’s “Human Right’s Party” is a disgrace… Even his civil liberties record is atrocious – he has that typical New Left view on freedom. He even tabled a private member’s to extend the NSW anti-vilification laws to include religion as well…
I ranted about him in my own blog last year.
The right to own guns and rifles is a major right on its’ own, and neither main party seems to be addressing that issue. Of course, it could now be a Federal issue, since the ‘success’ of Buy-back. Could States still make laws on guns, after Port Arthur?
A small party, called the Progress Party (which evolved from the Australia Party) used to make the right noises, but they dwindled into a protest group, who used to meet in Sylvania, near to where I live. I don’t think it’s around any more.
Any other small parties worth a freedom-lovers vote?
Peter Breen: I was wrong.
Any other small parties worth a freedom-lovers vote?
From a libertarian perspective the Outdoor Recreation Party is not too bad. There’s also the Horseriders/4WD joint team, the Fishing Party and Shooters Party. These are essentially single issue groups so it depends on your perspective. I support what they stand for, but I don’t think single issue parties can make a difference.
Remember also that it’s optional preferential so there’s no need to choose between Lib/Lab if you don’t want to.
To see who all the candidates are (upper and lower house), go here:
http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/state_election_2007/candidates.html
Actually, it looks like ORP and Horseriders are doing the joint thing… can’t see 4WD on there. They may not be able to make much difference anyway, but that’s not the point – it’s important that I register my support for those who want a less interventionist approach.
The libs are bending over backwards for the enviro-nazi’s, and still lost most green preferences[1] – if they end up losing the election, but they see a small percentage for minor parties like ORP/fishing/shooters/etc, then in might finally dawn on them they’ve aliented many who should be there traditional supporters.
Have you ever noticed that the most successful minor parties are the ones that want to impose restrictions on others, rather than ensure freedoms for everybody? It makes me sick.
[1] System in NSW being an optional preferential system, of course means that it depends on how many people follow the how-to-vote cards anyway…
Can you name any minor parties of the latter variety that have failed? I don’t recall ever having the opportunity to vote for such a beast.
The minor parties, as far as I can see, dump their core beliefs and just vote with Labor in the majority of cases. Same goes with most independents (McTaggart et al).
You’re right, there’s none that have promoted freedom for everybody as such, but it seems to me that the more they want to control others, the more successful they are. Maybe it just helps their propoganda campaign to have an identifiable enemy.
Justin: Christian Democratic Party and Libs in NSW have had a pretty tight preference swap for as long as I can remember. They’re the exception rather than the rule though… aside from them, you’re right – the independants and most minor parties end up labor stooges.
Well, it’s over now. ALP back in for another 4 years…
Looking at “virtual tally room” on election website:
http://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/statewide.aspx
Shooter’s party has about 2.7% primary in legislative council… this is on primaries – I believe a quota is around 4.54%, though I still have no idea what percentage is needed as more and more votes become “extinguished” (ie, since its optional preferential – you don’t have to preference “all the way down” – just as far as you want).
It’s possible they’ll make it, but probably slim… ORP didn’t get anywhere, though fishing party got 1.5% (they had a good ticket draw too). The Shooters outpolled Dems on primaries – it’s possible they’ll get a candidate up after prefs….