Past Programs
Elections - 2008
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NZ's conservatives ready to tap mood for change
31/10/2008
This is one very important election which could have profound implications for Australia - and there's not a moose-shooting hockey mom in sight. New Zealand goes to the polls on Saturday November the 8th, and with around 10 per cent of the Kiwi population in Australia at any given time, the poll is fair game for some National Interest scrutiny. The political landscape across the ditch looks familiar: a prime minister in office for many years is being challenged by an energetic new opposition leader whose image can't be dented - not even by the admission of visiting a strip club. Meanwhile, out in the electorate there's a real mood for change. But while there may be echoes of Kevin 07, there are complicating factors too: for a start, it's Labour that's gone stale in office and the conservative National Party that's making the political comeback . Add to that New Zealand's proportional voting system, which makes minority government the most likely outcome, and you have an intriguing political scenario.
NSW Labor garrotted, but still breathing
19/10/2008
New South Wales voters gave Labor a beating in by-elections held yesterday, with the ALP losing one State seat and suffering large swings against it in two others. But while the party may be in intensive care, it's not dead yet. The Liberals captured the seat of Ryde vacated by former Deputy Premier John Watkins, however big swings were not sufficient to oust Labor from its heartland electorates of Cabramatta and Lakemba. Voters also dealt the Nationals a blow in Port Macquarie on the mid-north Coast, with the seat remaining independent. The take-home message for Labor is this: the replacement of Iemma by Nathan Rees hasn't restored much faith in the government.
Greens become king-makers in ACT Assembly
19/10/2008
Labor has lost its majority in the ACT Assembly and will now have to court the Greens to stay in government. With 80 per cent of the vote counted, the Labor and Liberal parties are each expected to win seven seats in the Assembly, with three seats - and the balance of power - going to the Greens. The mostly likely outcome is a coalition of some description between the Greens and the ALP, although Liberal leader Zed Seselja says he's still keen to enter into negotiations with the Greens. But what will the king-makers demand? And would their left-leaning members ever countenance a political alliance with the Territory's resurgent Liberal Party?
NT's issue-free election campaign
08/08/2008
Territorians of the Top End variety are going to the polls this weekend, after enduring what appears to have been a campaign uncluttered by issues. Chief Minister Paul Henderson said he called the poll nearly a year before being required to do so because the Territory needed political certainty over a proposed gas plant for Darwin Harbour. But with bipartisan support for the project, the gas plant hasn't turned to be much of a stoush. In fact, with both parties promising more teachers and a greater attention to law and order, the campaign has been a bit lacking in oomph. Besides, the Labor government's margin in the Assembly appears unassailable.
The best democracy money can't buy Read Transcript
11/04/2008
Good thing Australia has campaign finance laws: by February next year we'll find out who donated to whom at the 2007 federal election. That's right: 15 months between donation and disclosure - and even then, only amounts of $10,500 or more will be revealed. Minister John Faulkner has promised reform - but how far is he prepared to go? The Rudd cabinet may consider a study tour to New York city, where all political donations appear - almost instantaneously - on line, for the world to see. And the Canadians also know a thing or two about money, politics and transparency.
