In the last election the major parties concentrated on boat people, debt and the personal characteristics of the leaders. It makes no sense to talk about debt without considering raising taxes to pay it. Even the Greens don't seem particularly concerned about uncontrolled population growth although they are concerned about sustainability. There are other things that the major parties don't talk about - world peace, the arms trade, education in critical thinking and civics, scientific research and development, separation of religion and state (I would like to see a discussion of the meaning of s. 116 of the Australian Constitution) and the nature and thrust of our foreign aid. I will be 88 next month and am concerned about the world my descendants will be living in. It was disappointing that Palmer got such a big vote - a lot of promises to various groups but no more concern with issues than the major parties. I would like to see taxation discussed rather than mere promises to cut taxes. A party running for office should specify what they want to do and admit that taxes may be necessary to fund what they want to do. I see nothing wrong in taxes being used as a tool for fairer distribution of resources.

Unfortunately, a lot of the minor and micro parties are what I consider cranks. Rise Up Australia seems motivated by anti-Muslim prejudice. Several Christian parties would like their brand of fundamentalism to dominate the political scene. Shooters, fishers, smokers, auto lovers etc. would like environmental restrictions removed so they could be freer to destroy the environment in pursuit of their particular leisure activity.

The Labor party was led by a man who had been bounced partly because he was difficult to work with. He got back in because he was more popular than the leader who displaced him. The party chose popularity over competence.

The Libs chose a man who specialised in negativity and apparently was more interested in gaining power than in participating in governing.

The recent federal election was the most meaningless one I have ever seen.

Quote "A party running for office should specify what they want to do"

This is in theory a good point but in practice it is worthless, unless there is a mechanism for lies or failing to do something, not withstanding unforeseen events.

Remember "No Carbon Tax"

We are going to be hostage to too many little independents looking for trade offs for there vote.

Good morning David f my first thought was this was another thread about the senate.
Sorry to see it is about your party,s vote and your pain.
Being from the party that lost the most may I recommend you consider why you and I suffer.
And my friend consider other ways to see what those who did not vote for us saw in us.

The recent federal election was the most meaningless one I have ever seen.
David F,
Meaningless ? Are you utterly devoid of any sense whatsoever ? It was an incredibly meaningful election as it was absolutely vital to rid this country of the most meaningless & incompetent administration ever in Australia.

Dear Belly,

I didn’t mean this thread to be about any party, and I don’t feel pain from the election. The election came about pretty much as predicted. My complaint was that important issues, or issues I consider important, weren’t discussed. Will Australia stand or fall on how we treat the boat people? Both Abbott and Rudd seem to agree that it would be good to be ‘tough’ on the issue.

However, our descendents will have to live or not be able to live in a world which will result from a lack of concern over what is happening to the environment.

I don’t feel about the Greens the way I think you feel about the Labor Party. It is just a means to an end. The end is to get certain policies considered. If some other party seems to serve that end better I would join that party.

I think any party which comes to power will inevitably become corrupt. In a two party system such as we have each party has an implicit interest in not obliterating the other party. On most issues the parties wind up not being too far apart. So real change seems to be impossible.

The two parties will implicitly cooperate in the physical destruction of Australia without much regard for the future.

Abbott said that climate change is crap, and Rudd, disregarding the carrying capacity of the land, wants a ‘big’ Australia.

I also feel that it is necessary to get rid of supernatural mumbojumbo to make rational judgements of policy. Rudd put chaplains in the schools of Queensland, and Howard made that a national policy. The chaplains in Queensland are mainly from Scripture Union, a fundamentalist Christian group. Access Ministries, a similar group, provides the chaplains for Victoria. Abbott is buddy-buddy with Pell who is worried that enough babies aren’t born and agrees with Abbott about climate change.

Abbott and Rudd share similar blindness, but the two of them were acceptable to the great majority of Australians.

A meaningful election would discuss the physical future of Australia.

david f,
The election was most meaningfull. We now have hope that some adults with responsibility will be in charge of the purse strings. Then that the illegal invaders will be stopped from trying to come here. If that happens you will be overjoyed with the lives saved, at least.

All one can do is support a party that promotes issues you think are important. The above mentioned issues are important to me, as is abolishing multiculturalism, if we want a cohesive society. Happenings in Europe and the ME should be a warning to us about accepting legal or illegal entrants that will not integrate. I have been arguing against high immigration and MC for 30 odd years and finally may get somewhere with MC, but a long way to go to get changes to immigration. Ludwig, similarly, has been arguing immigration and over population for many, many years.

I live in hope of some positive outcomes in the future. Although the massive debt we now have seems a very daunting obstacle.