LIVE THREAD: Australian Federal Election Count as it happens

21st August 2010

[iowamark]

Liberal used to mean freedom. Free enterprise, free speech, freedom of religion. In most democratic countries today, only the center right parties hold these values. Marxist-socialist parties have arisen on the left. In the US, few openly call themselves Communist, Marxist, or Socialist so the term “liberal” has become a euphemism for them.

[sunmars]

i say liberal as in liberal with my fricking wallet.......

[naturalman1975]

ABC journalist shows basic lack of understanding of Australia’s political system and constitution by saying this could conceivably be Gillard’s last day as Prime Minister.

Even if she loses, the Governor General wouldn’t commission Tony Abbott until sometime next week at the earliest, and she would remain Prime Minister until that happens.

[naturalman1975]

ABC news broadcast is mostly election news, so why not just have the election coverage...

[naturalman1975]

Ah - that’s why. They need to show the football results.

[naturalman1975]

Back to election coverage.

[naturalman1975]

Stephen Smith (Labor) says they expect swings against them in Queensland and New South Wales. Hope to pick up some in Victoria.

[naturalman1975]

Discussion of how Labor is facing problems because of the performance of state Labor governments in Queensland and NSW. Certainly true.

[sunmars]

someone just told me money has suddenly started pouring on the coalition on betting sites in the last 10 minutes, maybe someone knows something?

[naturalman1975]

Large swings against Labor in initial counts - but very small number of votes counted so far.

[naturalman1975]

That sounds good. I don’t bet on elections, myself. But I hope they are right.

[naturalman1975]

Labor believes it has lost the seat of Melbourne to the Greens. If right, we have a Green MP in Parliament - who would support Labor in a hung Parliament.

[naturalman1975]

First ‘official results’ from small booths in country seats expected in about 10 minutes.

[naturalman1975]

Polls have just closed in South Australia and the Northern Territory. They remain open in Western Australia.

[sunmars]

anyone wants election coverage, i’m watching on this.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/

[naturalman1975]

Now pointing out that ‘redistribution’ since 2007 changed 6 coalition seats to being ‘notionally Labor’. To me, this smacks of gerrymandering, but nobody seems to be allowed to say so.

[sunmars]

tese exit polls are designed to influence remaining voters, so transparent.

[sunmars]

On ABC Election site – a swing of 9.4 against Labor in QLD. WTF.

[naturalman1975]

First numbers:

Labor: 11
Liberal/Nationals: 26
Other: 3

These are predictions - not calls.

[naturalman1975]

Kevin Rudd is a Queenslander and they are especially angry about his dumping. They also have a long term, unpopular state Labor government. We expect the swing there to be large. 9.4 would be good.