May 18th, 2019. These elections are vitally important.

This election is more important than any that I remember in my life-time.  People need to think about it.  There is no room for donkey votes or whimsical nonsense in these elections.  Use your vote to help our country, just as well as you can, the way you see it.


First:   TAKE NO NOTICE OF 'HOW-TO-VOTE' CARDS.  These are the vehicles by which the Parties do their dirty little preference deals among themselves.

Your vote is your own, and that includes your preferences.  So vote the way YOU prefer. You don't have to take orders.  The Senate - vote BELOW the line, you have to number at least up to 12,  and you can choose exactly who you want.  Voting above the line risks your vote going to someone whom you would never voluntarily choose.


The Major Parties:

I will not tell anyone how to vote (much)  but here is a summary of the points of difference that I think most important.

 Climate Policy.

The Coalition (Libs/Nats)  aim to bring 'emissions' down by 28%  by 2030.  This will cost a lot of money and will achieve absolutely nothing in bringing down global temperatures.  While I personally do not believe that humans are making any change in the climate, even if you do, Australia's total emissions compared to the rest of the world, is miniscule.  What this means is a detrimental effect on our prosperity,  but nil effect on climate. 

Labor aims to bring down 'emissions' by a massive 45%.  This will cost a fortune, and will still not make the slightest change in bringing down global temperatures.  They will not give an estimate of the cost of this, only waffle on about the cost of  not doing it.  (If you are not a believer in human-caused Global Warming, you would see the cost of not doing it as nil.)  

Incidentally, I put 'emissions' in inverted commas because I think the talk about carbon dioxide a bit ridiculous - a harmless, inert gas, and a tiny percentage of the atmosphere.  We breathe it out all day, every day.



Immigration and population:  

The Coalition aims to continue firm control of our borders, and plans to reduce the rate of increase in our population.  Refugee numbers are to be limited.  (We would still have one of the most generous schemes in the world.)  

Labor plans to double the numbers of humanitarian visas (refugees)    It says that it will keep the policy of off-shore processing, but their past record on border protection is poor.  
It has not announced any plans to reduce the rate of  population increase, and are more likely to increase it.

Our rate of population increase is extremely high, and it is mostly by immigration.  Last I heard, 28% of our population was born overseas.  A country's culture cannot remain unchanged with that number of newcomers, especially when so many are from cultures that are very different from our own.  Like many, I do not want our population any higher, and I think it frankly dangerous to choose immigrants who are reluctant to integrate. 

Neither of the major parties have a policy of reducing immigration to zero net immigration, even though our major cities, and even our lesser regional cities are becoming more crowded by the day.

A few of the more bizarre, harmful and even dangerous policies of the major parties:

Labor wants 50% of new cars to be electric cars by 2030.  

Bill Shorten demonstrated his utter ignorance when he thought that an electric car takes around 8 - 10 minutes to charge.  While having an electric car might be feasible in the city, recharged every night in your own garage, it is mad to think they would be fine for country driving.  Further, when cost of manufacture is taken into account, there is no overall decrease in 'emissions.'  And more, we are already having problems with our electricity supply - very expensive and becoming more and more unreliable due to the increasing proportion of heavily subsidized renewable sources, solar and wind.  How are we supposed to cope with a drastically increased demand?  


Labor wants to add a 'National Gender Centre.'  

"The policy aims to make 'gender affirming technology' more affordable and accessible as well as adding more gender identification options on birth certificates.  The document states it should 'focus on creating fair, equal and affordable access to medical care and treatments relevant to trans and gender-diverse Australians.'

In effect, it will continue what the so-called 'Safe Schools' has started - telling children that their sex is something they can change, and providing the doctors that might 'affirm' their new gender, and then harm their bodies with hormones and surgery.

There is already a problem with children being encouraged to change gender. It is a concern that Labor's policy in this regard would inevitably make it worse.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6957289/Labor-gender-policies-cause-children-undergo-unnecessary-sex-changes.html?fbclid=IwAR1VBfnqa41Hd2BdjKtqwOAzNsvxQMx9vvUAHdqMI50C6eaY_MMAoNtZAwo


Labor is to drop the limits on immigration of parents of immigrants.

If they go ahead with this one, it will be very expensive, remembering that the parents will often be elderly.  Also, one of the justifications for such a large number of immigrants, is to change the demographic of an aging population so that we have more productive, tax-paying younger people. Add a few hundred thousand elderly people, and that will not happen.

Labor says they will increase foreign aid.  You may think that good or bad, but I really do not know why Indonesia, for instance, warrants any of our money, since their status as allies is so shaky.

Labor plans to add 'religion' to the list of things covered by the notorious 18c Law.  What this means is that we can be punished if a person feels offended because he is religious.  It is effectively, a 'blasphemy' law, as we used to have centuries before we outgrew such a medieval concept.   Some backward countries still have such a law. How sad if Australia winds up with the same law under a different name.

This list is seeming a bit lop sided here now,  but I don't know of any new policies of the Coalition that make the list.  They are the current government, of course, so they would have already implemented changes they deem warranted.


Tax Policy -  Negative Gearing, Dividends Imputation, changes to Capital Gains Tax.

Dividends from shares should not be taxed twice, so if a person's taxable income is low, they may find that there are refunds made for tax paid on their shares. This is Dividend Imputation.  It mostly affects self-funded retirees,  a group that deserves maximum credit for looking after themselves.  Labor aims to abolish this refund.  This change could cost a retiree thousands, and may make it necessary for them to go on the pension.  So, as well as being unfair, the policy will not save as much as expected.  In some cases, there will be more cost to the government, not less.

Negative gearing:  If you have a net loss from real estate,  (usually because of interest on a mortgage)  then you can offset that loss against income from other sources such as a salary.  Fair and reasonable, and standard for all sorts of losses.  But Labor wants to abolish negative gearing on real estate (except for new construction)   This has been tried before, but the legislation was, quite quickly, rescinded because of the adverse consequences on the rental market.

Other taxes, other promises:  You will need to do your own research for differences in other taxes, and for various promised handouts.  One can usually expect, however, that whenever there is a change in government, some of the more generous promises will be rescinded when they find that inevitable 'black hole'  in the budget.  One should not vote for a short-term perceived financial advantage.

The Minor Parties:

The Greens: 

The Greens were formed to fight for the environment.  But that was years ago, and while they have some climate goals,  (100% Renewable energy, zero emissions)  they are also socialist,  pro-gender bending, pro-Globalization,  and anti-Israel.  In fact, they will support pretty much any lunatic policy as long as they deem it politically correct.

The minor Conservative Parties:

One Nation:

One Nation is the best known of the minor Conservative parties.  It was first formed  in 1997, and caused considerable alarm within the media and the political class by quickly gaining a great deal of support from people who have long felt unrepresented by the major parties.

Forces were mobilized against them. There was the constant sneering by the media, aimed at both the Party and its supporters.  There was the mean tactic from both the major parties of agreeing to  'Put One Nation Last' in preferences.  This made it very difficult for One Nation to win seats. Finally, nastiest of all, a charge was concocted that  resulted in Pauline Hanson going to prison.

That charge was overturned on appeal, and Hanson released. She re-entered politics in 2016, winning a Senate position, and so did three other One Nation members.

One Nation stands for equal treatment for all Australians, and for limits on 'multiculturalism' -  immigrants are expected to integrate, not demand special treatment. They are especially wary of Muslim immigration and the trouble that has brought with it. They advocate new water infrastructure that will help protect farmers and food production against drought. They also say they will push for the provision of  'Citizens Initiated Referenda.'

(Obviously that is a mere summary.)

Recently, there has been a 'sting' mounted against One Nation by Al Jazeera (Qatar)  then quite joyfully disseminated by local media, especially the ABC.  Two senior members were lured to America and then filmed talking about money and influence.  Contrary to what the media continues to state, there is no evidence that they asked the American NRA for funds in order to weaken Australia's gun laws.

That resulted in an apparent loss of support for One Nation (by poll)  but maybe not enough as there was another bit of film released a few days ago, showing one of the same idiot men at a strip club and behaving as men do when they go to strip clubs. He has now resigned, and One Nation lost more support ( according to polls.)

This has been interference in our election by a foreign government, but as One Nation has so many enemies within Australia, that rather important factor has been virtually ignored.

Why Qatar thought it worthwhile to mount a four-year sting operation against a minor political party in Australia, I don't know.  But I don't think any of us should allow Qatar to tell us what to do in our elections.


Cory Bernardi's  'Australian Conservatives'

Cory Bernardi was a Liberal, but since the Libs have moved more and more to the Left, he broke away and formed his own Conservative Party.  He says the the rate of immigration is far too high, and that the mix needs to be looked at. 

Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party. 

Anning has been vilified by the media and by other politicians.  Some facts are not supposed to be spoken of.  Anning said that Muslim immigration rises the likelihood of violence.  Statistics back him up.

Anning wants our non-discriminatory immigration policy to start being far more discriminating.  He says that it should preference those from European countries that share our values.  The victims of some of our worst immigration decisions, such as those who have suffered violence from Sudanese gangs, would very much agree.


Shooters, Fishers and Farmers: 

In the recent NSW State election, the SFF did surprisingly well.  I think they won support from country people who are usually ignored by other parties, even by the Nationals who were once the Country Party.

Christian Democratic party (Fred Niles group)

Fred Niles has been around a long time, and so has his party. The Christian Democrats are supporters of Christian values as well as established Australian values including freedom of speech.  They  oppose Sharia Law, abortion, euthanasia and the decriminalization of drugs.


Clive Palmer's 'United Australia Party.' 

Clive Palmer has spent a fortune on ads, he has a catchy tune,  and often, what he says, makes sense.  But before considering voting for this man or his party, look into his record of business dealings.  Some of our politicians turn out to be dishonest and without ethics, but we should not knowingly vote one into office.  So do your research before considering granting him your vote, and remember, talk costs nothing.  There is not the slightest guarantee that he will make any attempt to do anything that he says.

Bizarre and harmful policies of the minor parties:

Luckily, the minor parties will not have the capability of putting them into effect - unless they wind up with the Balance of Power,  and can trade a concession in return for a vote on what the government wants.  And that is common practice that doesn't even rate a raised eyebrow,  even though some of the general public (like me) might think that members of parliament should vote on what is right for the country rather than self-interested wheeling and dealing.

Clive Palmer's United Australia Party has said that anyone who lives more than 200 kms from a major city should have a 20% tax decrease.  Ludicrous and not feasible.

Palmer has other bizarre policies, but since I am in the habit of silencing the TV whenever one of his ads comes on, and he is absolutely not worth researching, I don't know about them.

The Greens want a 100% reduction in 'emissions.'  This would, of course, break the country.  Think Venezuela.

There are also Independents running for office.    

People should know, though, that many so-called Independents running in this year's elections are funded by overseas interests, and are heavily backed by 'Getup,' which is a very left-wing organization.  Anyone considering voting for an Independent should check carefully first, in case you wind up voting for the looniest of Greens without intending to.

Other minor parties on the NSW Senate ballot.

Other states will have other parties, sometimes referred to as 'Micro-parties' or 'single-issue' parties.  Most of these are no more than 'feeders' for other candidates or parties.  So don't pick one because it sounds good - 'Pirate Party,' for instance.  If one sounds good enough to you, at least do some research, and then vote below the line so your vote does not wind up where you don't want it.


List of other minor parties in NSW: 

Rise up Australia Party
Help End Marihuana Prohibition Party.
Health Australia Party.
Pirate Party
Affordable Housing Party
Australian People's Party
Socialist Alliance
The Together Party
The Great Australian Party
Independents for Climate Action Now
Liberal Democrats
The Women's Party
Seniors United Party of Australia
Socialist Equality Party
Australian Workers Party
Australian Better Families
Involuntary Medication Objectors (Vaccination/Fluoride) Party
Democratic Labour Party
Climate Action/Immigration Action/Accountable Politicians
Animal Justice Party
Voteflux.Org1. Upgrade Democracy
Science Party
Citizens Electoral Council
Sustainable Australia
Australian Democrats
The Small Business Party

The NSW Senate ballot paper is around a metre long. It is no wonder that more and more people make an excuse to do a postal vote.  Voting booths are not made for metre long papers.

Voting is a precious right. It should not be wasted.  

Think, do your research rather than automatically voting for the same party you have for the last twenty years, (Parties change)  and then take care with your vote, especially including those preferences.  In our system, they are very important.

Postscript written three weeks after the election:


And the Coalition won - decisively. It appears that Labor's agenda was so alarmingly radical that a lot of people switched their votes from Labor to Liberal or National, or to one of the Conservative parties with preferences going to the Coalition.

For three weeks afterwards, the Coalition has been doing some reassessing since everyone had expected them to lose. They have also been doing some gloating. "How do you put the cork back in the champagne bottle? Ask Bill Shorten." (Alan Jones)

For three weeks afterwards, Labor has been blaming anyone they can think of, though at least, as far as I know, 'Russian Collusion' had not been mentioned. A few have been particularly nasty, blaming those who voted the 'wrong' way, blaming 'bigots' and even 'knuckle-draggers.' One commentator  labelled them 'turds.' It was a reminder of the American presidential election, when those who voted for Trump instead of Clinton were labelled not merely bigots, racists and misogynists, but even 'a basket of deplorables.' 

Bill Shorten (Labor leader) made a speech that spoke of 'vested interests' and 'corporate leviathons' being set against them. He still doesn't seem to have the slightest inkling that it was hundreds of thousands of ordinary people (like me) who were alarmed about his agenda, and even more alarmed when they realised he had so little idea of what his own agenda meant, (like that he thought that electric cars take a mere eight minutes to fully charge.)

The Coalition, instead, say it was a victory for 'the quiet Australians.'

This is the brilliant thing about democracy. Those who regard themselves as the 'elite' may do as much browbeating as they choose, but in the end, the people get to vote. This is not a 'failure of democracy' as some of the political voices have said, it is the triumph of democracy.


The minor parties - One Nation did very well, in spite of the hit job engineered by Qatar through Al Jazeera.

Cory Bernardi's Conservative Party, on the other hand, did poorly, and on 21/6/19, Bernardi announced that he was deregistering the party.

And Clive Palmer. He spent a fortune on advertising, and yet did not manage to buy himself a seat. And what a good thing that is!

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