Cont: Australian Politics - The Morrison Period Part II

[arthwollipot]

I find the school chaplain program and having to opt out of RI and not being able to take other classes at the same time disturbing. I value our secularism and don’t want to see faith ideas have a role in politics.

This. Also, a person doesn't have to have dominionist beliefs in order to vote for policies that are compatible with dominionism. The more influence religion in general has over Parliament at all levels, the worse off we all will be.

 

[Orphia Nay]

This is a great article, redesigning the electorate map so it shows the current state of play going into tomorrow's election.

The Australian election map has been lying to you

Thanks for that. I wasn't consciously aware that Queensland was quite so conservative .

 

[Sideroxylon]

Looking forward to tomorrow? They do democracy sausages where you are? Might have to cook my own. Have to stock up on snacks for the tally too.

 

[psionl0]

I find the school chaplain program and having to opt out of RI and not being able to take other classes at the same time disturbing.

I was surprised to hear that this is a thing in Australian state schools. I thought that state schools were secular.

Sure enough:

In Victoria, for example, the state department follows the Education and Training Reform Act. This act stipulates that public school education must be secular. Schools are not permitted to promote “any particular religious practice, denomination or sect, and must be open to adherents of any philosophy, religion or faith”.

https://this.deakin.edu.au/society/...schools-an-historical-and-contemporary-debate

This article also notes that there are RI classes conducted predominantly by evangelical religious groups on an "opt in" or "opt out" basis and are conducted at lunch time or out of school hours.

 

[Norman Alexander]

Frankly, Arth, I suspect someone is just ****-trawling.

 

[arthwollipot]

I was surprised to hear that this is a thing in Australian state schools. I thought that state schools were secular.

In theory, this is true. In practice, the National School Chaplaincy Programme has been federally funded since 2006, and has survived two High Court challenges.

 

[Norman Alexander]

In theory, this is true. In practice, the National School Chaplaincy Programme has been federally funded since 2006, and has survived two High Court challenges.

Nope. Both HC challenges succeeded. However the results were minimised and ineffectual, particularly since the LNP government of the day simply legislated around whatever barriers were created. And frankly, I expected a LOT better from Gillard and Garrett on curbing this waste-of-taxes.

 

[lionking]

Nope. Both HC challenges succeeded. However the results were minimised and ineffectual, particularly since the LNP government of the day simply legislated around whatever barriers were created. And frankly, I expected a LOT better from Gillard and Garrett on curbing this waste-of-taxes.

That was my number one disappointment of the Gillard government. She was a non believer yet had pander to Christians to keep her minority government. Something we may well see after tomorrow.

 

[arthwollipot]

Nope. Both HC challenges succeeded. However the results were minimised and ineffectual, particularly since the LNP government of the day simply legislated around whatever barriers were created. And frankly, I expected a LOT better from Gillard and Garrett on curbing this waste-of-taxes.

That's why I said it "survived" rather than "defeated".

 

[psionl0]

That was my number one disappointment of the Gillard government. She was a non believer yet had pander to Christians to keep her minority government. Something we may well see after tomorrow.

Is that Christian politicians or Christian voters?

 

[lionking]

Is that Christian politicians or Christian voters?

Does it matter? She did what she had to do to retain government. It would not have been necessary without a minority government, which we may, sadly, have tomorrow.

 

[psionl0]

Does it matter? She did what she had to do to retain government. It would not have been necessary without a minority government, which we may, sadly, have tomorrow.

Since it could have been the difference between having a legislative program frustrated and losing the election I think it does.

Julia Gillard proved to be a remarkably effective PM considering that she didn't have a Senate majority and if a few (religious) bums in seats was the trade off then she didn't do too badly.

Ultimately it was Kevin Rudd rather than some fundy opponents that proved to be her downfall.

Incidentally, I would prefer a minority government. As Mark McGowan has shown, if you give a politician too much power, it goes to their head.

 

[Robin]

What is your feeling about tomorrow?

I have the feeling that unfortunately Morrison will sneak in at the marginals again.

I think the media should be publishing the se polls that the parties are using so that we can see what is happening in those marginal seats.

 

[lionking]

What is your feeling about tomorrow?

I have the feeling that unfortunately Morrison will sneak in at the marginals again.

I think the media should be publishing the se polls that the parties are using so that we can see what is happening in those marginal seats.

I don’t think Labor will win. Green preferences will see a Labor win or a hung parliament. I can’t see independents supporting Morrison.

 

[Sideroxylon]

I think Labor will win. The confidence Labor have in their own data on the swing seats seems sincere. Murdoch editorials getting behind Labor. What is up with that? Seeing some writing on the wall?

 

[Sideroxylon]

Since it could have been the difference between having a legislative program frustrated and losing the election I think it does.

Julia Gillard proved to be a remarkably effective PM considering that she didn't have a Senate majority and if a few (religious) bums in seats was the trade off then she didn't do too badly.

Ultimately it was Kevin Rudd rather than some fundy opponents that proved to be her downfall.

Incidentally, I would prefer a minority government. As Mark McGowan has shown, if you give a politician too much power, it goes to their head.

I agree. I think we are much better off when we have some good independents forcing deals. Emphasis on good. Would be good to see more Green MPs but not that optimistic.

 

[Sideroxylon]

Speckles the psychic crocodile has also called it for Labor. Load up on the TAB.

 

[Robin]

I think Labor will win. The confidence Labor have in their own data on the swing seats seems sincere. Murdoch editorials getting behind Labor. What is up with that? Seeing some writing on the wall?

But Murdoch editorials often go a different way to how they are campaigning in general, hence the editorials in favour of action on climate change.

 

[novaphile]

Yay! I've voted, fourth in line at the booth.

However, I foolishly just followed the electoral commission's instructions to the nearest polling booth, which, as it turns out, is outside of my electorate.

This is the first time I've completed a "declaration vote" which will be counted next week, rather than this weekend.

I was also surprised to see that my local polling booth was closed this election.

This reminds me of the biggest surprise this election...

On Wednesday, there was an "all staff" email sent out to the South Australian Public Service asking people to volunteer to work at polling booths this weekend.

I've never seen that before...

 

[Sideroxylon]

But Murdoch editorials often go a different way to how they are campaigning in general, hence the editorials in favour of action on climate change.

Sure. I got nothing more than a whiff of faith in the polls and a truck load of wishful thinking. That and the divination of Speckles the Psychic Crocodile.