Nairbe, just to help with your amazement a little, I don't see a vote for the greens as just a vote for Labor, which it does become, in the long run, I see it as a vote for Labor, with a large percentage of crazies added.

While they want to open the boarder to anyone who wants to bludge on us, they will remain a bunch of crazies, & far too dangerous to have in any sort of power.

Rehctub wrote:

<< By your own admisions, you have no right what so ever to enter in to this debate as you have foregone your right to choose who runs this country. >>

Antiseptic replied:

<< Not at all. By making a deliberate decision to abstain from supporting either major party, one is making a pointed observation about their eligibility to govern. >>

Absolutely right Antiseptic. If a null vote is well-considered, as opposed to being an apathetic vote, it is just as valid as any other vote. In fact, if a vote for any candidate is not well-considered but is an arbitrary or very poorly based vote, as no doubt a large portion of votes were in this election, then it is a pity that they count just as much as well-considered votes.

<< I did not "forego my right to choose", I chose "none of the above". >>

Me too. And I’ll maintain that this was definitely the right decision in the circumstances.

New election - a disaster for the Coalition?

I’m not sure about that, but it would certainly be a disaster for the Greens and for progressive politics in this country.

Another election would be much more polarised than the one just past. People would be much more inclined to vote for either Lib or Lab.

The old dinosaur pro-growth antisustainability paradigm would be upheld and any hope of the new critically important slower-growth-with-limits-in-sight sustainable-society paradigm, which will ….hopefully….. be developed by the Greens with the backing of the some of the independents, would be trashed, for at least another three years.

If only some body with intelligence, integrity, allegiance to Australia and the Australian working people as opposed to the anti-worker, anti-small business, pro multi-millionaires complex, we could well get back into a good economy, if we could get enough non-fanatics to help Australia up from the efforts of our previous idiot and corrupt parties parliament. Unfortunately, even the "News Corp" newspapers are unable or unwilling to always tell the truth, Rupert Murdoch about 30 years ago, told the liberal party that the news papers would be pro liberal and anti labor because they permitted News Corp to have a share in the TV station news, whereas Labor had previously refused. So don't always believe the political advice in the papers. I think that all newspapers are owned by News Corp.

Ludwig,Sir Mate, please never ever say progressive politics and the Greens in the same sentence.
IF Labor is able to govern in harness with the greens it will take 20 years to wash the damage away, damage to labor.
For Australia's sake,after the statement made today by the foolish family first senator we MUST see both major party's combine to go back into the house craft a DD election and stop [I am not referring to the 3 ex Nats]fools having power the electorate never wanted them to have.
No vote? no brains.

Belly,
Yes Fielding is a fool, from the minute he gained balance of power 3 years ago he has continually carried on like a two bob watch. I get your concern over the greens but having real responsibility can also do the opposite that which it did to Fielding, it can be the wake up call that is needed for them to realise the need for more realistic policy. Not that i want the Greens to become the latest sell out but just moderate some of their more idealistic views.