I don’t see many issues that the nationals and Labour align on the the greens or liberals don’t, maybe threading the needle on land access issues that satisfy farmers, in that they don’t hand land over to resources companies or lock it up in protected parks? But I don’t see that as significant enough to justify the split.

It just feels like all tactics and no strategy, at the meta level they have to be in coalition to form government in the medium term. I could see a liberal party moderate resurgence over a longer horizon by going it alone, but I just don’t think tjat their significant funders actually care or would tolerate that, they just want to maintain the current lasse faire regulatory system that allow them to rip cash out of the ground and pockets of Australian consumers in the short term.

Surely they will reunite, it’s political death for both parties if they don’t. It gets significantly more difficult once the shadow ministries are handed out. They have to do it now or face aninternal riot.

I’d like to see a comparison between labor and coalition governments, if 66% is the average across government and this one achieved 70% and the Gillard/Rudd one “similar levels” then I assume the Coalition ones statistically break more promises.

It would be good to see the actual results though, as it might show that both parties are in fact not the same after all.

Classic Texas.

I think this is really insightful analysis, great post. I often wonder why some of you key points around the headwinds that Labor faces (and progressive politics in general) don’t really get much of an airing.

It’s so obvious that LNP’s messages get boosted and the Labor ones get blunted when you pay attention to it. Sam happens when LNP are in Govt, so it’s not just a "going the opposite a voice- type thing.

Don’t even start on the amount of dark and dirty money, backroom influence and corporate interference.

Feels bleak sometimes, but sanity will prevail at some point. 🤞

Absolutely must watch TV!

I agree with you on almost all points, apart from the line about all the people that voted for HER, I saw something yesterday that showed that the overwhelming number of votes for her Senate run were above the line, which said that people were therefore voting for the party rather than her as an individual.

Interesting point and based on how people talk and vote around me it makes sense, I don’t think many people could actually tell you who their senators are.

But again, I agree that the party vote rule is terrible and should be removed.

Slightly different approach, but where I am Omnium cargo bikes have become very popular, they have a platform at the from, but aren’t super long like a Bullet, and handle more like a regular bike. I’ve even come across a mod that means you can fold the platform up to store it easily in an apartment, or even in a hallway when combined with a stem that rotates the bars around.

Come one Riven, don’t hold out on us with the recipe huh? We needs it.

In most places it actually rains a lot less that you would.think, and often it only rains a small part of the day. I know that when the forecast is for rain often the 30 minutes it takes me to commute are dry.

I commute everyday in a place that has a reputation for being a bit rainy in winter and I get actually wet like 5 times a year.

Ooh for the love of usability please let us have 32km/h like our Kiwi cousins

You’re assuming he ever got told their name by the fixer before the poor girl was sent into the room.

Does everyone remember how that stupid degrading fucking show was launched IN THE MIDDLE of the same sex marriage debate!? Seriously, it was.

Think about that for a minute.

Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all.

That sounds a lot like capitalism…

More like a useful idiot.

That’ll never happen < looks around nervously >

How convenient…for Putin and others who want to divide Europe to make it easier to claim parts of it.

He’s also pretty much guaranteed to be dead in less than ten years, so all those narcissistic Republican assholes assume it will be them personally that takes the throne when it happens. So of course they support him.

Imagine spontaneously building a gallows, like where the fuck would you even find the wood at in the capital?? Who randomly thinks "I should take multiple 12 foot lengths of 2x4 to hear the person who lost the election speak?

Who else thinks a big old fat length of rope is what I should take with me to see the peaceful transfer of power for myself?

Fuck those cunts.