13 October 2008

Election wrap - 13 October

| johnboy
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A poll:

On election day my first preference is going to a candidate from the

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Liberals:

The Canberra Times reckons they’ve seen the elusive Liberal Party health policy. More beds and a “super theatre”. Sexy.

According to the ABC Katy Gallagher is not impressed by the Liberal policy. One imagines they could have copied hers line for line and she’d still have said the same thing. Katy’s media release on this is now available.

The ABC has word that Zed Seselja would spend $8 million studying a light rail proposal if he were king. The media release on this is now online.

Zed’s had his class warrior hat on, announcing more money for non-Government education in his efforts to smash the oiks.

CAP:

Roger Nicoll, in common with all non-incumbent politicians is in favour of more Freedom of Infomation.

Mulcahy Canberra Party:

Richard Mulcahy’s announced an education policy. More pay for teachers and more information for parents.

Labor:

Andrew Barr says that only he can promise more loot for every single school. Presumably without reference as to whether they need it or not?

Katy Gallagher is promising discount solar panels on houses. Our burning desire to be known as “Australia’s solar capital” will finally be realised.

JonKat has announced $6 million to be associated in our minds with children and caring. We all want more money for children and caring right?

Jon Stanhope has told the ABC he regrets not educating the community better as to why he was right to sue a coroner investigating how a chunk of the city got vaporised without warning on his watch.

Jon Stanhope is offering a $10,000 interest free loan to home owners at risk of defaulting on their mortgages. Nothing for the renters from the party of the workers?

Greens:

The Greens are thrilled that their art sale fund raiser went so well last night.

They’ve also announced that they’re for a data centre with power cogeneration. But they’re against the proposed Macarthur site.

Shane Rattenbury would like a seat at the leaders debate. He’d also like to hear what the major parties have to say about the Greens’ Commitment to Canberra.

Field Notes:

Passy writes:

    Socialist Alternative meets every Thursday at 6 pm in room G 52 of the Haydon-Allen Building at the ANU.

    Our discussion on 16 October is on the way the ALP manages capitalism in the interests of employers.

    email canberra@sa.org.au or visit www.sa.org.au

Gungahlin Al spake:

    John Hargreaves is on the record with a pretty solid “I’ll see out the full next term”, making it pretty hard to pull out the health-reasons card part-way through.

    There’s now a mumble getting around that John Hargreaves is heading for the Speaker role if his party wins. It’s becoming known as the “Departure Lounge” given the last couple of incumbents have gone from that role into retirement. When you hear this kind of rumour from one place you go “meh”, but when you hear it from a few different sources, you really start to wonder…

    So could this be how Mr Hargreaves sees out his final four years in the Assembly? And how would the good folk of Tuggeranong feel about giving him that option? Or would they instead be more inclined to support someone else on the ALP ticket, or perhaps even be tempted the way of the Greens’ Amanda Breslan?

Skaboy12 said:

    I just recieved a call at work informing me the the AMP will be having a rally on Friday night. Apparently it will be happening at City Custom Exhaust in Braddon at 8pm this Friday night. While I won’t be in attendance (NSW Resident) and I don’t really support one issue parties, if you are interested I would encourage you to head out there and see what they have to say.

    While your there push them on issues other then motorsport, I would love to hear the responses they give.

David Matthews, Labor for Molonglo, contributed:

And we all thought this election was about what people and parties stood for…no, it’s all about public art…

Rosebud said:

    Just got Mike Hettinger’s election brochure in the post. Without close inspection, it looks suspiciously like a brochure for a Greens Candidate. Mostly because, well, it’s printed on green coloured paper, looks cheap and home made, with the words Green, Greener and Greenest plastered everywhere (well, not greenest, but you get the gist). On closer examination a teeny tiny Labour logo can be seen on the back.

    The only word that beat Green for frequency was his own name. Mike, Mike, Mike. Mike does this, Mike does that, Mike is here, Mike is there. Like some sort of idiot savant who can only refer to himself in the third person.

    Here are some of the most important things that Mike thinks we should know about Mike…verbatim…including liberal use of exclamation marks!!!

  • Mike came here for true love!
  • Mike actually is a rocket scientist!
  • Mike was educated at Holy Cross College by Jesuit Monks!
  • Mike received a medal from the US Airforce for saving the lives of two Soviet divers.

Among other gems, Mike has a photo of himself and friends at Dickson college – both of them.

Did Mike mean to make me laugh? Is this ‘humour angle’ a new election ploy? Do politicians even have a sense of humour, or do they have it surgically removed before preselection?

It’s all Mike to me. Mike it!

Deezagood opined:

    Community Group ‘Canberrans for Power Station Relocation’ have made a short clip that demonstrates, quite clearly, the ethics of our illustrious Mr Stanhope. It is worth watching the whole clip. Makes you wonder what other spin has been generated in relation to a raft of other issues. Seriously – Mr Stanhope, how can you treat your own community with such contempt?

    http://www.vimeo.com/1936870

iCanberran offered:

    How do you make policy exciting, add the word “super”. The Liberals have announced an elective surgery “super theatre” for Calvary. The details (on page 10 of the Lib’s health policy) are sketchy and not even written with correct English.

    “The first Elective Surgery Super Theatre will be based at Calvary Hospital, where
    many elective surgery procedures currently take place, and which already has many of
    the systems and personnel in place. The Super Theatre have three new operating
    theatres, to accommodate a mix of public and privately funded procedures. “

    When they said super theatre, I was hoping for some kick ass stadium seating and in-seat dining like at Dendy so we can watch people have hip replacements in comfort. In reality, they’re offering hype.

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Second Day of the Poll and the CAP crack the tonne … 100 votes very impressive! i think Norvan’s online underground might have something to do with it.

I am not keen on a coalition with the Greens, besides the CAP constitution does not allow use to go into a coalition. we are here to support good policy where ever it comes from 🙂

Waffle:

Us. You. Watching.

*hehe*

One slip of a complaint and your post will be toast!

Then do something about it Mr Waffle!

Ooooh Thumper … a CAP and Greens coalition might makes things really, really interesting!

I would say then Mr Waffle that you have absolutely no right to ever complain about any decision ever made.

I vote, and decisions are made by those I voted for that I don’t agree with. I look at the ads on TV and they’re all the same; petty insults and promises that they always make and usually break. Forgive me, and many others my age, if we don’t have much faith in the pollies because of that.

Thanks for the link jakez.

Well that sucks!

Anyway , we will see the real results on Sat.AMP all the way.

Cheers

CAP to win! *moves to Qbn*

Spaz said :

How does one vote for this poll?

The poll does an IP address check, so if you’re voting from work and see one option already italicised, then your IP address has already voted.
(Maybe not you, but possibly someone elsewhere in the organisation)

And kudos to Norvan for being adult enough to shoot down gumbies sensibly.

PS: Email interview?

Spaz, if it’s showing you the results then I think that means that your IP has already voted (or something like that).

How does one vote for this poll?

Cheers Spaz

Mr Waffle said :

Like many other 20-somethings, I’m too young and carefree to really care about the elections. They’re all same **** different smell to us disillusioned types. Stanhope has done a ton of stupid things, but the other guys are probably even worse. Unless I find a candidate who is opposed to the federal labor internet censorship system that’ll be up and kicking any day now, I’ll probably vote Obama or something.

http://www.ldp.org.au

They are libertarians, libertarians hate internet censorship.

Light rail:

So the Liberals will:

“Finally we will run a transport user census, to tell us how much people are prepared to pay, what routes they want and at what times and how often they would travel on an integrated light rail and bus services. This census will cost $3 million.”

and Zed said this the other day:

”I have been saying for a long time that we need to plan our city first,”

”Talking about light rail is a great aspiration that we share, but it is simply not something you can deliver unless you plan the city properly and do the feasibilities.”

mmmmm what does this all mean?

Then you will get the politician/s you deserve Mr Waffle.

Like many other 20-somethings, I’m too young and carefree to really care about the elections. They’re all same **** different smell to us disillusioned types. Stanhope has done a ton of stupid things, but the other guys are probably even worse. Unless I find a candidate who is opposed to the federal labor internet censorship system that’ll be up and kicking any day now, I’ll probably vote Obama or something.

I have suspicions Norvan’s been having a whip-round on facebook looking for votes.

Which is fair enough as these things go.

Ah yes, Bob McMullan. Now there’s a guy who does alot for his electorate.

Bob McMullan, Bob McMullan? Ah yes, that rings a bell. I seem to recall hearing that name around October/November 2007.

Funny, I had never heard it before, and have never heard it since.

You lament the lack of conscience votes but show surprise that a Senator from a Party that automatically expells a member of parliament that breaks caucus, didn’t break caucus?

Gungahlin Al9:49 pm 13 Oct 08

Norvan: that’s MDF – medium density fibreboard. Sheesh.

So both ACT Senators voted against the curfew??
Expected from Humphries but very disappointing from Kate Lundy.

The problem with parties…
No matter people might think about the current state of the Democrats, one of the most appealing aspects of the party was that EVERY vote was a conscience vote.

I’m 30 kms from Canberra, and you can hear the roar of them taking off when it’s humid, and in the morning. It’s disgusting that the local members put profit above comfort of the residents. If a curfew isn’t imposed soon, Snow will have brought in night flights and people will notice – too late – that many are affected, not just those near the airport.

Special G said :

Would have thought this poll wouldn’t be a bad cross section of the community. Should be interesting on the weekend.

Are you serious?

Pathetic.

Planes were blo*dy loud tonight with the low clouds.

Bob McMullan has been in the paper proudly turning the first sod for the new airport buildings, so I knew he was on their side, despite apparently ‘living’ in Ainslie.

poptop said :

If Hargreaves returns [which seems inevitable] the speaker’s chair seems the safest position for him. It is a Departure Lounge for people who either don’t toe the party line or are a complete embarrassment.

He could hide his alcohol under the chair. Perfect job for him.

Meanwhile, Win news showed in federal parly today, Bob Brown tried to pass a motion introducing a curfew for Canberra airport. Why the hell aren’t our local pollies protecting the sleep of Canberra and surrounding areas residents? why is it up to the efforts of a bloke from Tassie?

And, in normal pathetic form, the Labor and Liberal senators for the ACT voted against it. Apparently the interests of the airport owners making lots of money are more important than the comfort of people who live in the area. area being Canberra and NSW in the region.

Would have thought this poll wouldn’t be a bad cross section of the community. Should be interesting on the weekend.

And at 19:21 the CAP is in the lead with 24% of the vote, just goes to show that the hippies don’t come out at night and the rest of us have day jobs!

Actually, I thought Norvan’s response was worthwhile. Showed he could put whoever it was that had such a ridiculous crack in their place without resorting to anything other than giving a frank and honest account of his background.

I’m not voting CAP, but I respect that.

mutley said :

Even his orange BROACHES….There is no way I am going to vote for someone who can’t even spell.

Why? Because that would make him a bit like you?

Good on you Norvan for having a go.

.

poptop said :

Does it seem a little weird that all the Labor Party media releases are still linking back to various media advisers@act.gov.au? Shouldn’t they be running their campaign from somewhere other than their Assembly Offices?

I thought there was some sort of rule about using Government resources for Party Political Purposes . . .

I’m certain for Federal (not certain for ACT but can’t imagine it being different) that campaigning for reelection is considered a valid use of representative resources. A policy that benefits incumbents, so the incumbents won’t change it.

Norvan, you’re worth ten of him.

GorgeTee – mate, people have been calling me a ‘Retard’ and a whole host of other names since I was in primary school. Having been in special education from the age of 12 I got a pretty tough time at school and now, you know it really dose not phase me at all anymore. I don’t have an undergraduate degree, I dropped out of school at 15 and started my own IT company with some mates and have been in the workforce ever since. It took me 18 months to convince UNSW to let me have a go at it, and I received an E&D Scholarship to do the MBT. You know the MBT is the hardest thing that I have ever done, I’m holding on to a credit average which is an achievement that I am very proud of. UNSW gave me a go because they believe that someone potential is not dictated by there written language or their past. GorgeTee I hope you can vote for someone that will deliver you the outcomes you want.

Does it seem a little weird that all the Labor Party media releases are still linking back to various media advisers@act.gov.au? Shouldn’t they be running their campaign from somewhere other than their Assembly Offices?

I thought there was some sort of rule about using Government resources for Party Political Purposes . . .

ACT Light Rail4:56 pm 13 Oct 08

I thought it was interesting that the (online) ABC and the CT angle on the Lib policy announcements was ‘ALP disagree with Lib policy’.

Holden Caulfield4:47 pm 13 Oct 08

Bugger the concerns about the Green vote being high in this poll, after finally seeing some CAP TVCs last night, I’m more worried about that bunch of loony tunes polling so well.

Must say, I’d be pretty chuffed if the Motorist Party got their proposed Majura facility up and running!

Re ALP interest free loan to home owners – how about interest free (or low interest) loans specially those in private or govie rental? Bring back housing trust loans! (And they wonder why there is a rental and govie housing crisis! Many in govies and private rental who in the past had options to take out these kinds of loans previously to purchase, now can’t are still stuck renting . . . somthing’s gotta give. Der).

Even his orange broaches spell university with a q, what an idiot….There is no way I am going to vote for someone who can’t even spell.

I guess Norvan is providing the latest lines for the accessorising politician. Either that or you meant brochure.

Back on topic please people.

or keith?

georgetee said :

I would not be surprised if Norvan did misspell his hand painted signs

Norvan isn’t a very common name. Maybe his real name is Ronan?

>> Apparently you’re all fairly-left, and are generating a bizarre pool of results.

Canberrans? Fairly left? You think? 😉

I would not be surprised if Norvan did misspell his hand painted signs, the guy is an absolute retard! If you look at his blog it’s full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Even his orange broaches spell university with a q, what an idiot. His biography says that he is doing a Masters at UNSW, well if that’s the case then the bar must be set pretty low! I would like to see what his undergraduate degree is? – creative origami from the University of Captains Flat? There is no way I am going to vote for someone who can’t even spell.

Hooray for spending next-to-nothing on your signs, but don’t you know we’ll soon have someone being offended about how you’re trying to put the signwirters out of business, a la the chicken man?

the ‘vogt’ pun thing on the ad.
That really is a terrible pun, especially when combined with the grinning eyebrow waggle.
Nobody wants a smug punning politician on their tv.

And when are you going to send in your email interview?

verbalkint said :

Perhaps, if the Libs form government they might put Vicki Dunne in there to keep her away from a Ministry.

I wouldn’t be suprised if she doesn’t get elected in the first place.

Norvan.Vogt said :

My signs are $6 for the MBF and $2 for the paint. Sorry that the hand painted look is not appealing to some, just think of me as being fiscally responsible.

You should go for a public art grant!

Deadmandrinking2:46 pm 13 Oct 08

Norvan.Vogt said :

Just a quick note, the CBC support was ‘tied TV advertising’. I actually didn’t get any cash from the CBC. Their support is great and it’s got me on TV which I am really thankful for. As for the rest it is all coming out of my pocket and I don’t have the cash for printing fancy signs. A 1200X900mm printed corflute sign is about $250 each for a once off. My signs are $6 for the MBF and $2 for the paint. Sorry that the hand painted look is not appealing to some, just think of me as being fiscally responsible.

I’m not voting for you purely because you of the ‘vogt’ pun thing on the ad.

Just a quick note, the CBC support was ‘tied TV advertising’. I actually didn’t get any cash from the CBC. Their support is great and it’s got me on TV which I am really thankful for. As for the rest it is all coming out of my pocket and I don’t have the cash for printing fancy signs. A 1200X900mm printed corflute sign is about $250 each for a once off. My signs are $6 for the MBF and $2 for the paint. Sorry that the hand painted look is not appealing to some, just think of me as being fiscally responsible.

Frack I hate this ip-unique poll tallying method, especially for highly-visible questions like this.

Apparently you’re all fairly-left, and are generating a bizarre pool of results.
1437hrs: 31ACTLab, 29Green, 28CanLib, 24CAP, 8Mot, 7Ind, 3Mulcahy, 3Lib Dem, 2Pang.

And I don’t get a vote, because of unique-ip checking.

Yeah, our electoral system here is all about name recognition unfortunately, so if people already know your name, you don’t really need signs by the side of the road reminding them about it.

My money would be on Mick to step into the speakers chair after the election, should Labor form a majority or minority government, that is.

Perhaps, if the Libs form government they might put Vicki Dunne in there to keep her away from a Ministry.

Primal said :

Andrew Barr’s oddly green signs were back on Melrose Drive this morning. And it caused me to realise that I haven’t seen a single sign for Katy Gallagher, Simon Corbell or Zed Seselja (as individuals) down Woden/Weston Creek way. Lots of signs for lower-profiled folk like David Mathews and Clinton White, but not the big names.

Do they presume they don’t need the advertising? Is it just a given that party voters will mark off the big names first?

I saw some Zed signs on the street that runs along the Kingston foreshore on the way to Civic.

I guess they probably don’t need the name recognition so it might not be an efficient use of resources.

fhakk said :

Try asking Hargreaves’ colleague Mick Gentleman whether he’ll be in the comfy chair come October 19. I’ve heard Mick will get the nod.

If I had to put money on it, I’d definitely tip Mick to get the speaker’s spot after the election.

Kramer said :

What’s Norvan doing with handpainted signs? Isn’t he riding on the Canberra Business Group’s money?? Unless the signs were painted by Monet or Jackson Pollack?!?

I understand from a discussion with norvan at last weeks sim challenge where he was supporting owen saddler that the he doesnt get to dictate where the canberra business group’s money gets spent, which its why its all been going on high priced TV advertising.

Try asking Hargreaves’ colleague Mick Gentleman whether he’ll be in the comfy chair come October 19. I’ve heard Mick will get the nod.

Meanwhile, has anyone seen some of the posters for Tony Farrell, the independent? Hand-coloured photocopies, complete with a comic about monkey-brains at the bottom. Pure class.

http://memewatch.com/thelist/archives/pix/morans.jpg

Could be a reference to an underworld figure in Melbourne.

Andrew Barr’s oddly green signs were back on Melrose Drive this morning. And it caused me to realise that I haven’t seen a single sign for Katy Gallagher, Simon Corbell or Zed Seselja (as individuals) down Woden/Weston Creek way. Lots of signs for lower-profiled folk like David Mathews and Clinton White, but not the big names.

Do they presume they don’t need the advertising? Is it just a given that party voters will mark off the big names first?

amarooresident1:33 pm 13 Oct 08

Norvan was also sitting at a card table with his head buried in a laptop.

SamTSeppo said :

Can we get a picture of the handpainted signs? Handpainted signs always make me think of nutters like this guy:

http://memewatch.com/thelist/archives/pix/morans.jpg

LOL. As I zoomed by I think Norvan’s were at least spelt correctly.

Can we get a picture of the handpainted signs? Handpainted signs always make me think of nutters like this guy:

http://memewatch.com/thelist/archives/pix/morans.jpg

Fortunately it’s already well established that RA isn’t exactly an accurate cross-section of the voting community.

But justbands… your oh dear is much more of a concern than mine!

What’s Norvan doing with handpainted signs? Isn’t he riding on the Canberra Business Group’s money?? Unless the signs were painted by Monet or Jackson Pollack?!?

BTW – Greens still leading the poll an hour later @ 1:20

> The Green vote disturbs me. Greens with the balance of power in a Labor minority government? Oh dear.

Over 60 votes & The Greens still ahead! Perhaps it’s “Labour with the balance of power in a Greens minority government” Oh dear.

Phew – I was the only Labor voter there for a tick…..

JonKat?! Tee Hee

If Hargreaves returns [which seems inevitable] the speaker’s chair seems the safest position for him. It is a Departure Lounge for people who either don’t toe the party line or are a complete embarrassment.

The idea of Hargreaves upholding the rules of conduct in the Assemby is . . . interesting.

So if Stanhope thinks he failed to adequately explain suing the coroner, does that mean he will now offer an adequate explanation (if he even has one)?

The Green vote disturbs me. Greens with the balance of power in a Labor minority government? Oh dear.

amarooresident said :

Handpainted signs are not a good look.

I don’t mind a local polly getting a bit grubby (provided the end result doesn’t end up being too dodgy), but its probably a bargain for CAP to have Norvan do fingerpainting, compared to paying low-volume, high-single-purchase-risk corflute prices that people are just going to tear down anyway.

The liberal Democrats are duking it out for second place! I choose to believe that at 12.23pm, this poll is a completely accurate representation of Saturdays results

amarooresident12:32 pm 13 Oct 08

Saw Norvan “campaigning’ on Northbourne Ave again this morning. Handpainted signs are not a good look.

Greens to win based on poll at 1220hrs Monday. Yey!!

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