ok, we had our federal elections last night (the dudes that control the whole country - not specific states or councils).
the right wing coalition (two parties in tandem) who followed Bush in to Iraq and have been taxing us at record levels while running down our services have not only been re-elected, but have extended their margin of seats. to add to this, they now also have won enough seats to even out the senate (we have a lower house and an upper house - law is passed from the lower to the upper house, who have to approve it. there are 76 seats in the upper house, and previously, the major parties were in minority, and had to rely on smaller parties help to pass or reject law. the right wing coalition now has 38 seats, the left wing has 37 seats, and it appears a new, extreme right wing, christian party has the final seat. they sided with the government pre-election with a preference deal, and will more than likely side with them on any legislation).
so with control of both parties, there is a lot of VERY dodgy stuff that the Libs (right wing) have been trying to get through for over 20 years. stuff like cross-media ownership (Murdoch will be able to own newspapers, magazines, radio, and television here now), selling off government owned companies etc.
in other words, we are fucked. i hope you like Bush, because i think you're in the same boat as us.
the right wing coalition (two parties in tandem) who followed Bush in to Iraq and have been taxing us at record levels while running down our services have not only been re-elected, but have extended their margin of seats. to add to this, they now also have won enough seats to even out the senate (we have a lower house and an upper house - law is passed from the lower to the upper house, who have to approve it. there are 76 seats in the upper house, and previously, the major parties were in minority, and had to rely on smaller parties help to pass or reject law. the right wing coalition now has 38 seats, the left wing has 37 seats, and it appears a new, extreme right wing, christian party has the final seat. they sided with the government pre-election with a preference deal, and will more than likely side with them on any legislation).
so with control of both parties, there is a lot of VERY dodgy stuff that the Libs (right wing) have been trying to get through for over 20 years. stuff like cross-media ownership (Murdoch will be able to own newspapers, magazines, radio, and television here now), selling off government owned companies etc.
in other words, we are fucked. i hope you like Bush, because i think you're in the same boat as us.
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