Saturday 24 November 2007

Democracy was served

In primary school and church halls all over Australia today, the people voted. (And by the way, it's compulsory to vote - there are fines if you don't turn up and get your name marked off the roll).

Later: In light of gmg's comments (inside), I add that there were, if not fireworks, whoops and hollers of joy, and air punching delerium emanating from the Sydney Daily Photo household at the outcome, it must only have been because private fireworks are banned in NSW! !

What the people decided was that it's all over for the bloke below as Prime Minister. John Howard's coalition government was resoundingly defeated, and he looks like losing his own seat in parliament. He faced a very strong challenge from a former ABC journalist, Maxine McKew, of the Labor Party. At close of counting tonight she is just ahead. This would make him only the second Prime Minister in Australian history to lose his own seat.
And it's all beginning for Kevin Rudd, the leader of the Australian Labor Party, who will be the next Prime Minister. On many issues, there is not much difference between Rudd and Howard. But, there are also significant, election defining differences. Rudd has promised to ratify the Kyoto Treaty on climate change, withdraw combat troops from Iraq, and roll back the extremely unpopular Industrial Relations laws.

14 comments:

  1. Do I feel some sadness in your text?
    Anyhow, enjoy your Sunday of a new political era!

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  2. Let's hope they all keep their promises, as everyone knows, things seem to get forgotten when they sit on the throne of power.

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  3. Oooh, gmg...I hope there's no sadness! Couldn't stand Howard.

    Indeed, gail's man.

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  4. Interesting series of photographs on your blog

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  5. It's been an exciting time! None of the local seats are 'swinging' seats but enjoyed hearing all the changes elsewhere

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  6. Sally,
    Yipeeee!!!
    What a relief
    Here's hoping that Kerry Nettle gets in .
    Great collection of photoes as usual.
    Fee Fee xxx

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  7. A good day indeed for all Australia!

    Lets hope Kevin doesn't stuff it up, i want to see positive change!

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  8. I was actually watching the election results on TV in Singapore. haha.. there was live telecast too. LOL..

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  9. It would seem that "Democracy is Served" means the definition of "democracy" is your personal choice winning. Humpty Dumpty would be proud of this approach to the meaning of words?

    At least you're percrptive enough to spot the possibility of Rudd having adopted an equivalent approach with his policy statements.

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  10. Bit sensitive are we, anon?

    To all but the most idiotic the phrase "Democracy was served" means that a free, democratic and fair election took place. As it has every 3 years (give or take the odd early election.

    The first line of OP's post even talks about how the people went out to vote.

    Get a grip and suck it up.

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  11. Bit sensitive are we, anon?

    To all but the most idiotic the phrase "Democracy was served" means that a free, democratic and fair election took place. As it has every 3 years (give or take the odd early election.

    The first line of OP's post even talks about how the people went out to vote.

    Get a grip and suck it up.

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  12. When I first saw you had a second comment, 'anonymous', for one exciting moment I thought you'd finally grasped the earlier post's point. Alas, that wasn't to be, and you still hadn't understood it --- you were merely repeating yourself. But keep trying Eventually you might grasp it.

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