Likewise Severin.

In one mad moment I thought I might actually vote 1 for Julia but like you I do harbour some doubts about Labor Party politics, internal ideological differences and preoccupation with media/spin. The SPP sounds good and brings with it a fair immigration policy.
I would like to hear more from the Greens about their targets for SP, maybe that is to come.

Severin and Pelican

Do consider an early vote on the Senate ballot paper for the Sex Party also.

I realise it sounds like a bad joke, a political Sex Party, and I am not a watcher/devotee of porn films, even mild ones, in fact, I have only ever seen one in a workcamp situation back in the 1970s, so imagine how tame that would have been, but they do assist in sending a clear message to the major parties.

They do not support the tax free status of religion in its 'as of right' position as now, they are clear about censorship not being a blanket matter (no pun intended there), and they do not support that dolt with the barbed-wire undies, the ALPs Opus Dei rep, Conroy, who so happily did/does the bidding of the ACL.

Of course, they will not ever make it to the Senate, the name assures that, but Hell, Family First got there with ALP preferences, so who knows?

Anyway, all votes that go ahead of the majors are votes that send clear messages.

I'd be very cautious about thinking Gillard was any good though. She is a worm of the worst variety, believing in nothing firm and changing in the breeze, even a light one.

She will be as bad as Rudd was in creating good policies, and her track record so far already shows she is a cheap populist ready to sell us short for her advanced position in the polls.

I hardly 'hope' for her to win beyond the fear that shudders through my body when I consider Abbott and his team of goons getting up.

We are all ill-served by the body politic here these days, at state/territory levels and with the feds, and I can see no sign of it getting better.

And this threads 'new' show is a prime example of the dullness of political thinking we have.

I despair...

Republican Democrats?
Now there's a reason for Americans to have a laugh at us.

Just the ame .the prospects of a Republic will always get me interested. Can someone post me information about the party or has it been only a leg-pull?

socratease

Severin, it is good that you have checked out the SPP and considered them worthy of at least a high position in your order of preferences.

So, if you agree with their objectives, which sit in such stark contrast to the Labor and LNP continuous growth mantra, and even that of the Greens, how can you even consider voting for Gillard??

The philosophies that really matter are just so extremely opposite!

Oh uh, there is a big problem here – we can’t meaningfully vote for a minor party such as the SPP, as we have to declare all preferences, and our vote will end up counting for one of the two biggest candidates, whichever we put highest on our ballot paper, even if we put the two biggest ones last and second last!

The DISGUSTING compulsory preferential voting system is the problem. It means that for many voters their vote will actually where they specifically don’t want it to!!

Those who would vote for the SPP would presumably specifically be voting against the two big dinosaur growth parties, but their vote….in just about every seat….will end up counting for one or the other of these rancid antisustainability parties.

Oh…uhhhh…. There is an even bigger problem: The only party that was worth voting for has…..missed out on it’s registration!! !! !!

So I have just learnt this evening, the SPP cannot run in this election.

Hwaaaaaawwww. Might be time to go slash my wrists I think!!

Ludwig.. good to see your new party has learned from the use of the word 'tolerant' :) it means different things to differentn people.

Of course to some here you will be 'intolerant racists' simply because you don't want to open up our borders with 'compassion' to all who are in 'genuine need'......

So.. damned if you do, damned if you don't. It's a no win situation, so, why bother :) Just have your policies.. run with them and see what the result is.

My version of 'tolerance' is the acceptance and tolerance of the Australian identity seeking to maintain itself though selective immigration and definitely incorporating scrutiny of 'creed' in the process.

People with creeds like "The only way to beat capitalism is through revolution" would not even rate a consideration.

Of course that's just one of a number of unnacceptable creeds which would not be welcome.

Ludwig, TBC

I will be giving thought also to the Sex Party - I thought they were as silly as the right-to-own-a-gun party, however if they have anything of worth I will be placing them ahead of the major parties.

I disagree with you about Julia, Ludwig, How long do you think she'd last as a non-elected PM, mere weeks before the federal election and she went ahead changed everything? I'm still blown away about her speech about her non-belief in the supernatural. That kind of honesty goes a long way - however, I predicted (to myself mostly) that her true beliefs would then be an impediment to other much needed changes - can't frighten the skittish neo-cons can she? Besides it is much to early to jump to conclusions.