tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004769.post113806654777155247..comments2024-02-21T19:17:51.003+11:00Comments on Ari on the web: The McGauran defectionAri Sharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06077102567908140945noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004769.post-1138622887519201792006-01-30T23:08:00.000+11:002006-01-30T23:08:00.000+11:00The Nationals aren't in coalition with the Liberal...The Nationals aren't in coalition with the Liberals at a state level in Victoria, and have taken contrary policy positions to the State Liberals (most notably on Eastlink, where they have oppposed the both the Liberals no tolls and half-tolls policies). <BR/>Upper house reform will see them lose most of their seats in the upper house - but I'd be suprised if they were wiped out in the legislative assembly by the Victorian Liberals - they're probably more in danger from strong local independents.<BR/>I think it's pretty obvious that McGauran's decision to defect is down to internal politics within the National Party (he was very close to missing preselection last year) rather than the reasons he gave for the move.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06729873245793769665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004769.post-1138327554323033692006-01-27T13:05:00.000+11:002006-01-27T13:05:00.000+11:00Due to our preferential voting system (which favou...Due to our preferential voting system (which favour coalitions) it's better (for them) to keep both parties for now and let demographics do its bit rather than to force any amalgamation. <BR/><BR/>If we had first past the post voting, there'd never have been any three-cornered contests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004769.post-1138315643275509612006-01-27T09:47:00.000+11:002006-01-27T09:47:00.000+11:00Yeah he was quoted in the media afterwards saying ...Yeah he was quoted in the media afterwards saying he didn't even know the right finger to extend.<BR/><BR/>Bullshit - more likely it was a simple gesture indicating the majority - 1 vote - that got blown out of proportion and he went with it.<BR/><BR/>Nationals dead? 60% primary vote in Mallee Ari. They often OWN the seats they hold. True, if the Libs fielded candidates against them, that might split the vote somewhat (see Victorian Elections in the late 90's). <BR/><BR/>One of the Libs best pieces of politics is occasionally not even running a candiate (ref: Organ, Michael). Apparently Investment is not the only field where the decision to do nothing is actually a decision to do something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com