We are none the wiser after the Election yesterday!

Well it is finally over and it is even more of a mess
now because we have a hung parliament. That is
neither of the major political parties here in
Tasmania were able to secure a working majority
with the Greens holding the balance of power.

I was not at all surprised that Labor lost heavily
but even more shocked that the Liberals were not able
to gain more seats. It does appear that the Greens
have emerged with more clout but have really caused
this stalemate. The only ones who have won have
been the advertising agencies together with
the print and electronic media. All political parties
must have spent millions on the election and their
coffers must be bare. To top it off there is
supposed to be a federal election later this year.

I was unimpressed with the speeches of both Bartlett
and McKim on the floor of the Tally Room. Both were
longwinded whilst Hodgman was more lucid.
What will happen from here? I think we will have to
wait for another ten days until the votes are cut
up to determine the voters preferences under the
complicated Hare-Clark system. Before that perhaps
the three parties will meet secretly to try and
thrash out some sort of coalition but this parliament
will not last four years. I predict another poll
in six months or less. By then I shall not be at all
surprised that the size of the House of Assembly
will revert back to 35 from the present 25.

There also should be curbs on spending. Elections
for the Upper House are capped at $15,000. One Liberal candidate
forked over $250,000 in advertising. Besides that we
had too much advertising on TV that clearly angered
people, particularly in prime time.

We are all unclear what will happen now. We just
have to wait and see. No wonder pollies are well down
the pecking order here in Tasmania.

Robin 0610 UTC March 21st.