Given the total balls-up that US elections seem so often to be, it is with profound relief that I thank whatever gods that be that I am an Australian voter. Yes, there are plenty of issues about the role of money in the elections — the shenanigans of billionaire Clive Palmer and his United Australia Party (or FAKE UAP as the real one historically was founded by Robert Menzies later evolving into the Liberal Party) is just one matter canvassed by people. But I would argue the actual voting system and the way it is organised is indeed world’s best practice.
OK, so I voted on Monday.
Now what happens. Well, the votes get counted — by hand, in the time-honoured way. And candidates do get to appoint scrutineers — I was one once — to watch over the count and make sure all is done properly.
Unfortunately the malignant influence of US practice has brought out all manner of fruit loops on social media — and in dingbat minor parties. Here for example is the serially ignorant Pauline Hanson, who has I might add a track record of distorting almost any discussion she is involved in, not to mention of rorting the expenses claimed side of running candidates in elections. Her latest nonsense — but utterly corrosive nonsense — is nailed here.
I repeat from the day before yesterday this brilliant video from the teenage newshounds at 6News! There is no better explanation of how our vote really works than this one from the Australian Electoral Commission, an absolutely world’s best practice institution an equivalent of which the USA sorely needs! (Along with gun laws and universal health cover.)
We should know results for the House of Representatives by midnight Saturday. In 2019:
When we know which party has a majority in the House of Representatives — or at the least a working minority coalition arrangement — then we will know who the next Prime Minister is. A few days later the winners rock off to Government House in Canberra where the Head of State swears them in.
The Senate? Complicated….
The Senate does not necessarily have the same majority party as the House of Representatives. That can lead to some robust negotiation — not always a bad thing.
This year I did not vote in The Senate for the same party as I had in the Reps. That is often the case.
Neil's Commonplace Book 