I think what we saw in the NT will be indicative of a lot of parliamentary races in the next state and federal elections. Looking at the primary vote of some ALP MPs in the NT was truly shocking with several running in 3rd place to independents or the Greens. This does not bode well for the ALP’s potential to return in the future. This of course acknowledges smaller electorates and the bigger impact of name recognition in the NT versus a larger state.
Increasingly there are three or four way races for each seat and when the vote is split multiple ways it is difficult to see how a candidate should win the seat when a majority of the electorate want someone else.
It goes to the need for proportional representation which you explored in your recent book, because despite the landslide, the majority is over inflated because the CLP in the NT won 49% of the vote which is not a majority. Compare that to the largely proportional outcomes at the Tasmanian and ACT elections which actually have parliaments that reflect what the way people voted.
I enjoy your analysis of state and territory politics. I will be interested to hear how you see the upcoming ACT and QLD elections. I agree with David that the QLD Labor under Miles is leaving few stones unturned and if they go down, they at least have implemented good policies like public transport pricing instead of pitching themselves as Liberal lite.
Great episode David and Eddy
I think what we saw in the NT will be indicative of a lot of parliamentary races in the next state and federal elections. Looking at the primary vote of some ALP MPs in the NT was truly shocking with several running in 3rd place to independents or the Greens. This does not bode well for the ALP’s potential to return in the future. This of course acknowledges smaller electorates and the bigger impact of name recognition in the NT versus a larger state.
Increasingly there are three or four way races for each seat and when the vote is split multiple ways it is difficult to see how a candidate should win the seat when a majority of the electorate want someone else.
It goes to the need for proportional representation which you explored in your recent book, because despite the landslide, the majority is over inflated because the CLP in the NT won 49% of the vote which is not a majority. Compare that to the largely proportional outcomes at the Tasmanian and ACT elections which actually have parliaments that reflect what the way people voted.
I enjoy your analysis of state and territory politics. I will be interested to hear how you see the upcoming ACT and QLD elections. I agree with David that the QLD Labor under Miles is leaving few stones unturned and if they go down, they at least have implemented good policies like public transport pricing instead of pitching themselves as Liberal lite.