poetinahat
08-24-2010, 07:06 AM
Link here (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/24/2991520.htm).
Background: The governing Labour party rolled the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, a few months back, and put his 2IC, Julia Gillard, into the big chair. Australian elections are about every three years, but the sitting government calls the date. (Side note: The Economist doesn't appear to be too impressed (http://www.economist.com/node/16791926?story_id=16791926) with either candidate; in the print edition, an article referred this week to Gillard as "Labour's uninspiring candidate" and Tony Abbott, the Liberal, as "the Coalition's unappealing candidate". That's a pretty fair snapshot.)
On the premise, I suppose, of taking advantage of Gillard's honeymoon phase, the Government called an election, which took place last Saturday. The result: a hung Parliament; neither major party or coalition (Labour, or the Liberal/National Coalition) could form a majority, leaving the balance in the hands of the Greens and the independents; they're being heavily courted by both sides, of course.
So Oakeshott, an independent, has proposed a cooperative Cabinet.
I love that he's even countenanced the idea. I know there are arguments for and against it, but it's great to hear someone thinking this way, at least.
Background: The governing Labour party rolled the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, a few months back, and put his 2IC, Julia Gillard, into the big chair. Australian elections are about every three years, but the sitting government calls the date. (Side note: The Economist doesn't appear to be too impressed (http://www.economist.com/node/16791926?story_id=16791926) with either candidate; in the print edition, an article referred this week to Gillard as "Labour's uninspiring candidate" and Tony Abbott, the Liberal, as "the Coalition's unappealing candidate". That's a pretty fair snapshot.)
On the premise, I suppose, of taking advantage of Gillard's honeymoon phase, the Government called an election, which took place last Saturday. The result: a hung Parliament; neither major party or coalition (Labour, or the Liberal/National Coalition) could form a majority, leaving the balance in the hands of the Greens and the independents; they're being heavily courted by both sides, of course.
So Oakeshott, an independent, has proposed a cooperative Cabinet.
I love that he's even countenanced the idea. I know there are arguments for and against it, but it's great to hear someone thinking this way, at least.