Some thoughts on voting for the 2008 ACT election.

“Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the Government’s purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal well meaning but without understanding.” – Louis D. Brandeis

Normally I approach an ACT ballot box full of vim, with at least a clear understanding of who I’m going to put last.

Sadly this year that field is so crowded that I just don’t know where to begin even that dismal task.

But before we go further I’d like to thank the political parties that have seen fit to advertise with us. ACT Labor, the LDP, and Matthew Watts (the Liberal candidate for Ginninderra). Purely aside from the financial gain to us, they held the RiotACT readership in enough esteem as to court your opinion.

Moving on…

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Sim Challenge

The candidates who were willing to come before us and try their hand at Sim City deserve some recognition, in order of appearance:

— Norvan Vogt, CAP for Molonglo
— Greg Tannahill, a Democrat running in Molonglo
— Wayne Sievers, Labor for Brindabella
— Adam Verwey, Independent for Ginninderra
— Jacqui Myers, Liberal for Ginninderra
— David Morgan, Liberal for Brindabella
— Matthew Watts, Liberal for Ginninderra
— Shane Rattenbury, Greens for Molonglo
— James Higgins, Greens for Ginninderra
— Mark Parton, Independent for Ginninderra
— Owen Saddler, CAP for Molonglo
— Dr. Luciano Lombardo, Pangallo Independents for Molonglo

All of these candidates at least proved they had the composure and judgment to stick to a demanding three hour task and cared for the good opinion of you the reader. In my view they deserve considerable credit for it.

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Candidate Questionaire

Considering how candidates belly-ache about how hard it is to get a run in the media we were surprised that so few took up the opportunity to answer your questions. Especially considering our commitment to print their answers in full. It seems a couple of niggly commenters are a bit much for the precious petals seeking elected office who did not respond.

This candidates who could be bothered answering your questions were, in the order in which they were returned:

— Dr. Alvin Hopper, CAP for Molonglo
— Mike Crowther, CAP for Ginninderra
— Adam Verwey, Independent for Ginninderra
— Matt Watts, Liberal for Ginninderra
— Dr. Luciano Lombardo, Pangallo Independents for Molonglo
— Phil Thompson, Pangallo Independents for Molonglo
— Andrew Barr, Labor for Molonglo
— John Hargreaves, Labor for Brindabella
— Eleanor Bates, Labor for Molonglo
— Mary Porter, Labor for Ginninderra
— Norvan Vogt, Community Alliance Party for Molonglo
— David Matthews, Labor for Molonglo
— Chris Bourke, Labor for Ginninderra
— Darren Churchill, Democrat for Ginninderra

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So who to vote for?

Every single candidate running for office means well. But good intentions are what they paved the road to hell with.

There are good people in every party.

There is very little difference between the stated policies of any of the parties.

So, if you’re in the market for advice, vote for who you think the good people are. Not just the well intentioned, but the intelligent and the principled.

A possible exception to this is the Motorists Party. Between their ties to One Nation and their penchant for appearing in uniform white shirts I, personally, wouldn’t recommend letting them up near the top of your ballot. History teaches us that political parties in uniforms end in tears.

I’d also recommend voting against anyone who tells you your vote will be wasted unless you give it to them.

Good luck tomorrow, and may god have mercy on us all.

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(On a happier note don’t forget to drop by All Bar Nun after to six to enjoy watching the Canberra electorate vaporise political careers – 86 go in, 17 come out)

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UPDATE: Jon Reynolds from Canberra Votes has interviewed the Electoral Commissioner, Phillip Green, on how the ballot paper actually works. All is explained in the video below:

Mr. Phillip Green – ACT Electoral Commissioner – 17 October 2008 from Jonathon Reynolds on Vimeo