Thinker2 ,If we did have "none of the above" as an option on a ballot paper,there would be an enormous response.Perhaps we should register a new political party called "None of the above" and it be allowed to represent us in Parliament.

In other words we have a default party that represents the disaffected.So if any one election "none of the above" get enough numbers,they get to elect a candidate in their seat whom they trust.

I think we may be onto a new dimension in democracy.

Belly, I have a great deal of respect for Paul Howes, but I believe he is way too young to be in his position. In a few years, if he can manage to maintain his integrity in the face of the relentless Labor factional politics, he may become a man to reckon with. At the moment he can be nothing more than someone else's man. That man is Shorten and while I respect Shorten's intellect, I don't respect his ethics.

Me, on Sunday:"The count is very close, but with postal votes favouring the coalition it is a strong probability that they will gain the majority of 2-party preferred votes."

From this morning's papers http://www.news.com.au/features/federal-election/pm-julia-gillards-mandate-slips-as-tony-abbott-offers-the-bush-a-deal/story-fn5tas5k-1225912128084

I quote:"JULIA Gillard's claim to government on the basis of winning the two-party-preferred vote in the election has collapsed, with the Coalition overtaking Labor last night by almost 2000 votes."