IMPORTANT UPDATE: ALP WINS! The Honourable Anthony Albanese is sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.
Get your Democracy Sausage!
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The most important day of 2022 for Australia is almost here.
Tomorrow, Saturday 21st May 2022 is the day Australians decide how they are going to live in the next three years, and the decades influenced by that time.
We vote in the 2022 Federal Election.
It is a stark and clear choice. We either continue to live the same or worse lives under a nefarious, disingenuous Right Wing government driven by religious and political zealotry, partisanship and questionable ethics or we can choose the only other major party who can change the course of the nation towards a better future.
We can choose the incumbent Liberal Party Prime Minister who mixes his politics with his religion and who claims a divine message from an eagle in a painting inspired his ascent to the top job of leading this nation. Otherwise, we can choose Labor, the party whose leader will become the Prime Minister and whose solid experience includes living and working amongst some of the most disadvantaged in Australia, with the residents and workers in working-class suburbs.
The Labor Party has an extensive team of talented experienced and enthusiastic candidates. The Liberal Party and National Party have a team that appears to be dead-scared of a FICAC, going by the Prime Minister’s refusal to keep his election promise to set up a Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption.
I am hoping that Labor and good Independents win their seats tomorrow so we can escape this nightmare of a government at last and see off our inhumane, international embarrassment of a Prime Minister.
It is the people’s turn to have their say.
For all volunteers from all parties and independents who have and will be helping in this and every election, thank you for your commitment to our democracy.
A big thank you from a grateful nation goes to some of the most under-rated, hardworking, and dedicated people whom Australia has the privilege of employing; the staff of the Australian Electoral Commission. If anyone wants to dispute that Australia’s democracy stands on their shoulders and that the AEC should be the envy of the democratic world, just look over the street at elections in the USA.
There is even an AEC site where you can practise voting.
https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/How_to_vote/practice/
Hopefully, AEC staff hand-counting every vote will see more thankyou messages scribbled in the margins of ballot papers than the usual drawings of penises and testicles, or the universal message to our politicians to Eff Off. I like to leave a kind message, in the margins away from the candidate’s boxes on my completed ballot. I feel very proud after I vote. It is both a right and a privilege in our uncertain world.
Please enjoy your Democracy Sausage!
A contrast between the two major parties:
Here is an interesting article that uses a different style of map that shows the distribution of federal electorates held by the major parties.
The Australian election map has been lying to you
By Colin Gourlay, Georgina Piper, Tim Leslie, Cristen Tilley and Matt Lidd
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-20/federal-election-map-lying/101076016
THE PUB 
Van just lost it
The big question now is will Morrison make a concession speech or do a Trump and insist he really won?
“You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din” ?
Feeling much relief tonight. Lots of things to look forward to in the next government, whether majority or minority. Federal ICAC, Royal Commission into Robodebt, and most importantly a Labor controlled executive that can hold these tory arseholes to account to what they’ve done to this country for the past 9 years. Not to mention guaranteed action on climate change.
I think we are all relieved for all the reasons you mention and more.
I am especially relieved because my pension is now safe from Indue and that damn card will be abolished.
Josh is lying his head off about his support for Kooyong (in his almost concession speech)
Bridget McKenzie in tears on Sky.
Probably the tears are due to the looming federal ICAC or to no more pork.
Wow. Relief x 10. I am at the Malin ALP function. Local member Tony Zappia retains his seat. The mood is happy tinged with relief. The rarlier anxiety is gone!
‘anxiety’ is an understatement 🙂 2019 PTSD was turned up to 10
Not quite over yet
Scovid as PM is.
On Sky, they show the Lying Rodent along with Hyacinth wearing a purple sash at Liberal HQ. Hyacinth probably a bit miffed that it would be presumptuous for her to wear a tiara as well in her incomplete cosplay as the Queen.
Labor 52:48 in Menzies so far!
ABC Computer calling Tangney (Inner Southern Perth Suburbs) for Labor. Currently 12.5% swing from its previous 9.5% status. Massive result.
tlbd
Watched abc until about 30 minutes ago, got so frustrated with all the political shit, poor Tania did well not to blow her top. Am on 7 at the moment and it has a banner across the bottom with Labor Wins. Thanks to the WAers we have got there. My stomach is still in a knot after 4hours sitting through the dirge of rubbish on abc.
Try this one
Locally, small swing to Labor in Ballarat of 2.5%, making it around 63%. Biggest local primary swing was to the Greens candidate John Barnes, who was the city mayor in the early 2000’s. Not nearly enough to unseat Catherine King though, who I’m sure will be an excellent minister in the new government.
Ooh, David Pocock looks likely to defeat Zed Seselja in the ACT Senate seat currently.
With 42% counted, Senate votes there are 33.2% Labor, 23.5% Liberal, 22.0% Pocock, 10.5% Greens, with the rest on 10.5%.
Scummo concedes defeat, 10:50pm AEST
Scotty concession speech. How sweet it is .
More fuck than wit but definitely a fuckwit.
Morrison will resign as leader at the next Liberal party meeting
I am not listening to Scovid’s concession speech. Why should I? He is now irrelevant.
😆 The Slug Paul Murray said “Tomorrow, 8 O’Clock the resistance begins”
An important difference for Albo as PM compared to Whitlam, Hawke and Rudd is that like the state Premiers, Wran and Carr (NSW), Bracks and Andrews (Victoria), Beattie and Palaszczuk (Queensland), Rann (SA) and Bacon (Tasmania), he’ll have to run his first term with at least a very narrow majority, so hopefully this will prove a good introductory term so that the electorate can get used to him and Labor and settle in a long term government next time.
Heeeeeeeere’s Albo…………………PM Albo that is.
😆 😆 😆 Denis Shananana taking it well over @ The Australian.
Victory by default for Labor
What a beautiful headline
It won’t surprise me if the Media in Italia makes claim to our latest Prime Minister in their hard copy and on-line media!
They can’t have him!!!!!!
The Chaser –
Good morning Dawn Patrollers – and what a morning it is!!!!
This win for Anthony Albanese is the most transformative election you can imagine, writes Laura Tingle who opines that the end of the Morrison Government in an election which — while it might not have resulted in a landslide for the Opposition — has seen the conservative party decimated and shattered.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-22/election-2022-anthony-albanese-wins-transformative-election/101087834
Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have emptied the Liberals’ broad church, writes Katherine Murphy who says it’s moderate wing has been decimated.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/22/tony-abbott-and-scott-morrison-have-emptied-the-liberals-broad-church
The quiet Australians spoke and they said ‘enough’, writes Peter Hartcher who says Anthony Albanese bet everything on a Scott Morrison failure and his bet has paid off handsomely. An excellent assessment here.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-quiet-australians-spoke-and-they-said-enough-20220521-p5anda.html
David Crowe says that the Coalition gambled on making Morrison the whole campaign – and lost.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/leaders-worst-on-show-in-raw-personal-contest-20220519-p5amqi.html
Mark Kenny says, “The Miracle Man has turned out to be no more than a political huckster. Having led his party down a few useless side-alleys, and studiously done nothing to address the well-known concerns of his party’s most loyal blue-ribbon base, Morrison has now led it over a cliff.”. Ouch!!
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7747257/miracle-man-was-no-more-than-political-huckster/?cs=14329
Jacqui Maley reckons questions of character dominated the campaign as a shape-shifting PM tried on new personae.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/questions-of-character-dominated-campaign-as-shape-shifting-pm-tried-on-new-personae-20220520-p5an5y.html
And the bleating begins from Murdochia, with Dennis Shanahan declaring that Albanese’s was a victory by default.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/anthony-albanese-wins-but-its-a-victory-by-default-for-labor/news-story/75b7d87c9b61157a16dc6d772c306deb
Michael reports on Liberals blaming Morrison for the “Tealbath”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-like-our-member-not-his-boss-liberals-blame-morrison-for-inner-city-carnage-20220519-p5ampr.html
Josh Gordon describes Victoria as now now the fading jewel in the Liberal crown.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/victoria-now-the-fading-jewel-in-the-liberal-crown-20220519-p5amx5.html
For the party, the devastating election result has generated a profound crisis, explains the AFR’s Andrew Clark.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/the-liberals-post-election-endgame-20220521-p5and9
What now for the Liberal Party? A radical shift and a lot of soul-searching, says the ANU’s Marija Taflaga.
https://theconversation.com/what-now-for-the-liberal-party-a-radical-shift-and-a-lot-of-soul-searching-183362
Jon Faine believes Morrison’s legacy will be a shadow of his predecessors’. He concludes his trip through history with, “Morrison wasted his time as prime minister. The “miracle” win in 2019 left him unprepared, with little agenda, and just papered over the fault-lines and internal feuds within conservative politics. Whatever the result of the 2022 election, time in power ought not be squandered as it was in the 46th parliament.”
https://www.smh.com.au/national/morrison-s-legacy-will-be-a-shadow-of-his-predecessors-20220520-p5an2d.html
Ian Warden explains why he is so thankful for Australia having compulsory voting.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7746492/thank-god-for-compulsory-voting/?cs=9676
Sarah Martin writes that Clive Palmer’s mammoth campaign spend of close to $100m has failed to deliver his party results, with its primary vote failing to reach 5% across the country.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/22/clive-palmers-massive-advertising-spend-fails-to-translate-into-electoral-success
Senate may have a progressive majority as Greens and David Pocock make election gains, explains Ben Raue.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/22/senate-may-have-a-progressive-majority-as-greens-and-david-pocock-make-election-gains
Alexandra Smith thinks the federal results offer little heart for major parties facing next NSW election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-results-offer-little-heart-for-major-parties-facing-next-nsw-election-20220519-p5amx4.html
The class of 2022 will be the voters of 2025 – and they’ll have plenty of reasons to cast their ballots, says teacher and author, Daisy Turnbull.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-class-of-2022-will-be-the-voters-of-2025-and-they-ll-have-plenty-of-reasons-to-cast-their-ballots-20220519-p5amt4.html
Nick Bonyhady tells us how Zali Steggal won Warringha and Simon Birmingham has said there were “clear mistakes” and “process breakdowns” in the pre-selection of Liberal candidate Deves.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/steggall-on-track-to-hold-warringah-overcoming-deves-challenge-20220519-p5ampv.html
Matthew Knott and Natassia Chrysanthos say that Kristina Keneally’s political career is in ruins after her shock Fowler loss. Labor. IMHO, will not be damaged by her loss, and that of Terri Butler. Their talent pool is plenty big enough.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/kristina-keneally-s-political-career-in-ruins-after-shock-fowler-loss-20220519-p5ampu.html
France’s outgoing foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has taken a swipe at Scott Morrison just hours after the Australian prime minister conceded defeat, saying the Coalition’s election loss “suits me fine”. The veteran politician, who is leaving his post after five years, showed that nerves are still raw between the two administrations following the controversial termination of a $90 billion submarine contract, writes Rob Harris.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/the-only-way-is-up-for-french-relations-after-le-drian-takes-final-swipe-at-morrison-20220522-p5andy.html
Craig McLachlan’s defamation retreat won’t stop other men suing to silence women, posits Jessica Lake.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/mclachlan-s-defamation-retreat-won-t-stop-other-men-suing-to-silence-women-20220520-p5an7r.html
Ben Marlow explains why he believes Britain is heading for economic oblivion.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/britain-is-heading-for-economic-oblivion-20220519-p5amkn.html
Trump isn’t out there with a gun, but he’s enabled this war against black people, argues Cornel West.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/21/trump-black-white-supremacy-buffalo-joe-biden
Cartoon Corner
Matt Davidson
Reg Lynch
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Mark David
Peter Broelman
From the US
Hit the road
JackScott and don’t you come back.Don’t let the door hit you an your arske on the way out, Scott.
Waking up to a new age with Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister-elect is wonderful. He needs to be sworn in ASAP.
If anyone ever deserves this success it is the man who was the son of a single mother living in a council flat. Anthony Albanese’s Mum would have been so proud of him and I hope her spirit is somewhere that allows her to know what her wonderful son has achieved.
I enjoyed the modest function at the Makin get-together, chicken, pizza, party pies, sausage rolls, pasties, an open bar, and a lot of happy people. We did not have a silver service dinner or truffle canapes It was a real working-class do. And I could not have enjoyed it more. I was among people committed to a fairer, better for all Australia and who wanted to see a champion of the people become Prime Minister.
Well done, Labor.
I have to ask. What was the idea of dressing Scott Morrison’s daughters in black for the concession speech? I doubt they both independently chose black dresses. It looked strange.
My eldest said they looked like they belonged to a weird cult.
He’s right – they belong to a prosperity gospel cult. As far as I know they do not make teenagers dress in black though – it must be a Morrison thing.
Interesting little tidbit is that the only “safe” Liberal seat remaining in Victoria is La Trobe on 8.4%. Everything else is either lost or marginal. Even the rural seat of Wannon is only held by 5.4% against an Independent.
Some beautiful headlines in The West Australian.
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ANALYSIS‘END OF THE LIBERAL PARTY’
Catastrophic election result set to force Libs to change
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Why this election result was all about Scott Morrison
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HISTORIC RESULT
Ken Wyatt expected to lose seat in election bloodbath
What a wonderful headline!
Wow, just saw the numbers from WA. The swings to Labor were ; Hasluck +11.84% , Pearce +14.98% ,Swan +13.55% and Tangney +13.25%.
Go Sandgropers !
I am sad that Lizzie from Pollbludger who passed away recently did not get to enjoy this victory. R.I.P. Lizzie (Zoe Wilson).
I am feeling very relieved this morning.
Scrutineering yesterday evening was fascinating, fun, and exhausting.
There were three people for the Teals, and three for the Libs. We were all very polite and pleasant to each other.
The AEC staff very sensibly put the votes for Frydenberg at one corner of the table, and the votes for Ryan at the other end. We organised ourselves so there was always one scrutineer from each side at both piles. There were very few informal votes (and NO informals with only a “1”). There were quite a few challenges, but most were resolved quickly. I amazed my ‘colleagues’ with my ability to accurately read numbers upside down 🙂
We were finished just after 9pm, so I was home much earlier than expected, and spent the rest of the evening listening to the ABC.
Not surprisingly, I slept EXTREMELY well!
I hear that Fiona! Woke this morning feeling ‘light’ & realised just how much underlying anxiety the (now former!!) LNP govt was causing me.
From a purely selfish view, I am looking fwd to some reasonable pay rises for the APS. 3 yrs to retirement & thankfully I’m in the old CSS super scheme. Final annual salary dictates my starting super pension so a few extra % point will make a difference.
What is a worry is how hollowed out the APS is, & not well staffed/equiped to rapidly implement the policy shifts, and attitude changes required.
I think (hope) a ‘night of the long knives’ is coming for all of the political appointees in the top ranks of APS. Expect many of them are already polishing their CVs. Pretty sure Penny Wong will NOT have Kathryn Campbell (infamous for robodebt) continue as head of DFaT. Bye bye Phil Gatjeans of PM&C, & probably Peter Woolcott the APS Commisioner to name just a few. Really hope Labor follow through with all their promises for APS reform.
I’m on leave for 2 more weeks, by that time I expect to see Tanya sworn in as my new minister – yay!!! What a relief to not have tudge or robert anymore. 😄
I watched Morrison’s concession speech last night. It was a list of all the wonderful things the Liberals/he had done for Australians. It was as if he was blaming the voters for chucking out a perfectly good Prime Minister! It was self-congratulatory, gratuitous and whiney. Disbelief writ large. I was very happy to see the btard get his desserts.
A beautiful blue sky and a sun beaming a wee bit brighter and warmer this morning over here in The Cave. A Cave highlight, Bullshit Man’s ‘close confidante’ (and look alike) Ben Morton bit the dust. Awwwwwwwww. Ben was part of a pro SfM group described as “Morrison…………a strong core of supporters who share his particular religious outlook” . Sweet
Watching the LNP factions eat each other over the next 3 yrs will be deliciou schadenfreude, will need lots of popcorn!!
Have to pretend the sunshiney feeling in Port MacQ today. Its bucketing – 31ml since 9am. Hey Leonetwo, as a Port local can you turn off the rain pls?
Sorry, Citizen Angrybee, I have no control over the weather.
It has been pissing down all night and this morning, according to the forecast we are in for days of this.
Love this….
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
I feel that a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. My worry, not just about me, but Australians in different circumstances is relieved. There still will be injustices, as in the past when Labor has made decisions I did not like, but it is like an all-out attack has been halted.
If only!
Two to keep an eye on
https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/results?filter=indoubt&sort=latest&state=all
https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/results/senate
I think I must be psychic! I had a strong feeling/sensation that I shouldn’t wait till yesterday to put my vote towards getting rid of the Morrison rabble from our parliament!
I didn’t quite know what was troubling me (maybe I could have a sudden heart attack or something) and not be able to vote on polling day.
So I went and did a pre-poll on Wednesday morning. Good thing I did as during the afternoon on the day before yesterday I started to get symptoms that were suspiciously like ones for Covid.
I went and did a RAT test this morning and it came out quickly as a strong positive which meant if I did one yesterday, I would not be able to attend a polling booth as there would most likely be a number of other voters there which I could infect.
Luckily I was able to catch Mrs Scorpio before she left for church. She was just getting into her car after closing the garage door. Talk about a close shave!!!!
Trying to identify when I may have caught the dreaded virus was difficult as Mrs Scorpio did have some mild cold like symptoms prior to me having them, so it was strongly suggestive that she might have caught it during her normal visits to shopping centres or other contacts.
But when she did her RAT test, it came out negative. No way I think that she could be negative having symptoms and with the normal close contacts that we have as a couple living under the same roof and sharing the same bed.
Anyway I have booked both of us in for a PCR test tomorrow morning and expect that we will both test as positive to Covid.
I am really glad that we both had our two vaccines and first booster because if the projections that you should only expect mild symptoms if you catch Covid after the two vaccinations and a Booster shot.
I have been really careful not to catch the plague as I am in the age group (over 70) which is in the vulnerable group and I have COPD as well. I am sure that if I wasn’t vaccinated, by being in the high risk group and with COPD that I would most likely be dead within na couple of days after noticing symptoms.
The symptoms seem to fairly rapidly increase in intensity and scared me somewhat as I am experiencing a degree of breathing difficulties which thankfully hasn’t seem to be getting any worse so far.
I thought it was a bit of a joke the comment of a number of commentators that sooner or later, every Australian will, at some time or other, catch Covid. I thought Mrs Scorpio and I would be the last people that could catch it. Boy! How wrong have I been.
The bloody virus spreads quickly as in my local authority area there was nil Covid cases here on the 1st of January And already, It is past 5,500 cases here.
Damn bloody Morrison and Bin Chook and her replacement for poshing to open the country back up before everyone was properly vaccinated and boosted. The fact that it can easily spread to vaccinated people is leading to a shocking level of deaths and hospitalisations that should have been easily avoided.
It’s a pity that all those people who have needlessly died before they should have, couldn’t be able to come back and haunt Morrison and Company every single night remaining of their worthless waste if space lives!!!!!!
Sorry to hear that Scorps. The booster does the trick, I think. I’m due for my second booster at the beginning of June – I will not miss it.
I caught Covid during my stay in hospital. I was so disgusted with staff. I wasn’t the only one to catch The Plague in Port Macquarie hospital, so staff have been coming to work while infected and hoping no-one would notice.
To add to that problem – the hospital was insisting all visitors had to wear masks (they were issuing surgical masks which are next to useless against current strains) and patients had to wear them whenever we left our wards. It might have been a good idea to insist EVERYONE wore N95 masks at all times.
When I finally got to rehab at Wauchope hospital I discovered the woman in the next room had also caught Covid at Port and had been sent back there for isolation, just as I was.. She thought it had come from the patient transfer people.
I didn’t have patient transfer for my first trip to Wauchope – I was taken in a wheelchair taxi and the driver was wearing a surgical mask. Bingo!
I had a killer sore throat for two days, then after that nothing. They did my obs every four hours and were amazed how high my blood saturation levels were – the lowest I got was 97%, sometimes it was 100%. However I kept testing positive until Day 12 – so much for isolating for only only 7 days. It is no wonder infections are soaring – this country cares more about businesses than the health of its citizens.
A bit of ‘random’ and a LOL. The painting depicts an event well known in Russia and Ukraine . The area is currently being fought over . The letter reminds me of ‘the taunting’ scene in The Holy Grail.
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In 17th century, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed IV sent a letter demanding the full surrender of Zaporozhian Cossacks. Cossacks did not like this. Led by Ivan Sirko, they decided to send back a nasty letter.
Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks
Here is the full letter
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“Zaporozhian Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan!
O sultan, Turkish devil and damned devil’s kith and kin, secretary to Lucifer himself. What the devil kind of knight are thou, that canst not slay a hedgehog with your naked arse?………………..Thou Babylonian scullion, Macedonian wheelwright, brewer of Jerusalem, goat-fucker of Alexandria, swineherd of Greater and Lesser Egypt, pig of Armenia, Podolian thief, catamite of Tartary, hangman of Kamyanets, and fool of all the world and underworld, an idiot before God, grandson of the Serpent, and the crick in our dick. Pig’s snout, mare’s arse, slaughterhouse cur, unchristened brow, screw thine own mother!……………………………..
https://www.museumfacts.co.uk/cossacks-letter-to-sultan/
Not quite “I fart in your general direction.”
re the hedgehog. In Russian, trying to “scare a hedgehog with a bare ass” is when someone tries to intimidate someone else with something that’s not actually scary
Bullshit Manis taking it well 🙂 . At his visit to Happy Clapper church he apparently finished with a quote from the bible “Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine. Though I fall, I will rise. Though I live in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.”
Looking it up online lets see a fuller quote from the passage he selected. Aimed at the ‘lady’ TEALS ? 😆
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Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
9 Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.
10 Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets.
13 The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds.
Wow! what a misogynist!
I am relieved that cruel, evil, nasty piece of excrement is no longer Prime Minister because I am fully aware of the tortures he was planning for the 25% of Australians who depend on income support payments
Kerist! I hope he doesn’t rise again
On a more positive note I would like to see children born of Kiwis living in Australia are automatically Australian with all the rights and privileges that pertain.
I was speaking to a Greens volunteer who was born in Australia, can’t get HECS so is team leader in a call centre. He would have more options if tertiary education was affordable.
Does any one know where Bushfire Bill comments now?
Poll Bludger. However I think he and a sparring partner recently got time out from W Bowe.
I very much like the way the grauniad has the results sorted, separating LP/LNP/NP. It shows the libs only have 21 seats.
I find it a more accurate way of showing the actual make up of the dreaded coalition and Parliament.
Hmmm … time for the QLD and NT LNP Nats to split from the Liberals? Might that give the Nats the upper hand in the Coalition?