State Elections
SA and Tasmania results are in, and I have to agree with Andrew Bolt on Tasmania – their proportional system is just a recipe for instability. The Liberals are claiming victory after a staggering 12% swing against Labor, but the split of seats is 10-10-5 (Liberal-Labor-Greens). Either way, the Greens are the big winners.
I like the idea of proportional representation (PR), but believe in Australia, it works best in the upper houses (the Senate, and state Legislative Councils of NSW, Victoria, SA and WA). Actually, my ideal method for state elections would be if we had only one house using PR, but with a directly elected executive (Premier/Governor) for stability.
Meanwhile, in South Australia, it looks like Labor’s Rann might just hang on. However, it seems that neither side is willing to concede. Fun times.
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Recent Comments
Catallaxy Files- The Bunyip is evil February 8, 2012The professor suggests that the Victorian liberals should contest the seat of Niddrie recently vacated by Rob Hulls. Hulls held the seat by 6.9% at the last election — a margin any popular Premier with even a modest record of achievement might have seen his candidate make up. (emphasis added) Heh. Well, yes.Sinclair Davidson
- False and misleading conduct February 8, 2012Here is the ACCC describing Misleading & deceptive conduct. There is a very broad provision in the Australian Consumer Law that prohibits conduct by a corporation that is misleading or deceptive, or would be likely to mislead or deceive you. It makes no difference whether the business intended to mislead or deceive you—it is how [...]Sinclair Davidson
- Economic debate in 2012 February 8, 2012I have an op-ed in The Drum that talks about the two approaches to economic policy in 2012. Both government and opposition want to talk about economics – very exciting for policy wonks, not so exciting for everyone else. But the bottom line is this: Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan can huff and puff as [...]Sinclair Davidson
- The Bunyip is evil February 8, 2012
- inCISe
- Rebate should not be means tested February 8, 2012The government’s three-year long effort to means-test the subsidy for private health insurance (PHI) is about to move into top gear. We should brace ourselves for a barrage of spin and nonsense. Although an advocate of spending cuts and smaller government, I hope this particular measure fails to gain the necessary support from independents to get across the […]Robert Carling
- Auto industry privileges are irresponsible February 8, 2012A program of perpetual subsidies for any industry is both economically irresponsible and morally unfair. Over the past weeks, there has been a resurgence of protectionist rhetoric and anticompetitive industry policy. Under the rationale of preserving a domestic manufacturing sector and saving local jobs, the federal government has renewed its assistance for […]Alexander Philipatos
- Dr Hartwich ‘economist extraordinaire’ February 6, 2012All tickets have sold for tonight’s fiscal talk by Oliver Marc Hartwich. He will address Europe’s mess some call the economy, and look at the growing opportunities available in Asia for Australia. If you were unlucky and didn’t secure a ticket, don’t fret, a full video recording of the talk will be availabe in the coming days. In the […]Editor
- Rebate should not be means tested February 8, 2012
- IPA news
- Scientific research drowning in a sea of alarmism February 6, 2012Last week, almost 400 people attended a public meeting in Newcastle to learn about the scientific evidence that underpins...
- Who'll drag us free of our heavy debt burden? February 2, 2012While most Australians were tanning themselves at the beach during their summer breaks, the federal opposition and the...
- Renewable energy rules lose traction January 31, 2012Energy policy in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is spurred by concerns that gas...
- Scientific research drowning in a sea of alarmism February 6, 2012
