Now that the result is known in the ACT election we must either consign ourselves to one party rule for all time, or think about what the Liberals have to do to win.
Running quiet for another four years might replicate the same result (don’t expect to see Labor caught out in Tuggeranong two elections running though) but to go one better is going to take some changes.
So this is for you Liberals:
- 1. Stop bagging out the electorate. If your policies are not popular with voters that is your problem not the voters’ problem.
2. Step away from the crucifix. Pandering to the religious devout might work in some voluntary voting situations but it’s not going to work here and even less so with compulsory voting nullifying “get out the vote” campaigning. This is not to ridicule the religious faith of any MLA, it’s to say the party ticket needs to be more closely aligned with the community.
3. Give us something to believe in. Sure if you do propose something good the Government will nick it. But you still get many good media cycles before your policy gets sheepishly co-opted. Back yourselves to keep coming up with good ideas.
4. Go after the patronage machine. I realise the party and its backers are hoping to capture the machine intact and turn it to their ends. But would you prefer to be in government with less grace and favour to pass around? Or out of Government trying to win friends with an Assembly staffer’s salary?
There you go. You won’t like doing it. But I don’t think you’ll like another election loss any more.
You’ve taken the protest vote as far as it will go. You’ll need to give us something to vote for to get any further.
Congratulations on a well executed campaign though.