Comments on: McGinty resigns: Fremantle by-election is on

By: Ben Raue

Ben Raue — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:22:10 +0000

At least in WA it’s fairly clear (like federally) who the first leader would be: Giz Watson, if for no other reasons than she would be the only continuing MP come the Leg. Council changeover this year (although two of the other new MLCs have served previously).

By: Simon Copland

Simon Copland — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:48:19 +0000

It would be interesting to see how that would work then. I think the Greens are facing some interesting discussions about the role of parliamentary leaders in the party; including how they are picked and how much power they have. It’s occurred/occurring at a national level as well as in states that have been forced to pick leaders (Tasmania, NSW and ACT) and it will be interesting to see how WA deals with it.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:29:11 +0000

I read somewhere that the change was made after the changeover to the Legislative Council elected in 2005 when the Greens went from 5 seats to 2. I believe that it was because the Nationals were likely to (and did) drop below the 5 MLA barrier after 1 vote one value. A similar thing happened in Victoria after the 2006 election and Legislative council reform where the the minimum number of MLCs was dropped from 4 to 2 because the number of National MLCs did the same.

By: Oz

Oz — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:26:26 +0000

Unless there were recent changes?

By: Oz

Oz — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:25:49 +0000

In WA you need 5 MLA’s, regardless of the number of MLC’s you have, for parliamentary status.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:20:34 +0000

If the Greens win this by-election they get parliamentary-party status so they could have a leader. If they had a leader they who would it be? Would they break Westminster convention and have an MLC as leader or would they have Adele Carles as leader dispite her being one of their newest office holders?

By: Austin

Austin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:34:53 +0000

So basically, the reality is that people don’t engage brain?

I wonder what percentage is what in this by-election.

The Brisbane Central by-election was an interesting one. Huge numbers of people would rather pay $35 then turn up for a ALP vs GRN TPP poll. Only 2/3 of people on the roll turned up. It was noticeable on the day at the booth.

Also, the pigeon-hole principle showed that many traditional Lib voters would vote for a “union hack” than a local “business woman”. Another case of no brain in functioning, or brain unable to see through preconceptions.

By: William Bowe

William Bowe — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:47:43 +0000

In a perfect world every vote would represent a considered ordering of preferences, but in this one people take cues from agenda-setters. A Liberal candidate will provide Liberal voters with such cues, causing many to following the HTV as an expression of brand loyalty. In the absence of a Liberal candidate, these votes will splinter. Some will pick an independent/minor party and follow their HTV; some will decide what matters to them is their dislike of Labor and put them last; some will decide what matters to them is their dislike of the left and put the Greens last; others still will decide they don’t have a stake in the by-election and won’t bother showing up.

By: Simon Copland

Simon Copland — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:20:44 +0000

It is odd, but it happens. It’s because people just follow htv’s, even if they don’t like them.

By: Austin

Austin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:46:41 +0000

Hmmm… Arrow’s Theorem in action?

If the Libs run then people (in general) will not preference Labor. If they do not run then they will vote ALP first (or put them high on their preferences)?!?!

Just seems odd.