The only thing I'm interested in is where I can get a democracy sausage.
May 18.
Question 1: Who will you be voting for? Why?I'm still enrolled in Wills, haven't really decided if I'm going to update my address or not. I'm thinking I probably won't because I don't even know who the candidates here are. Also Wills is somewhat marginal and Canberra is a safe Labor seat lol.
I'm still enrolled in Wills, haven't really decided if I'm going to update my address or not. I'm thinking I probably won't because I don't even know who the candidates here are. Also Wills is somewhat marginal and Canberra is a safe Labor seat lol.
I'm sure it's no surprise that I'll be voting for the Greens, although honestly I don't know if that'd be the case if I changed my address, I guess I'd have to figure out who the candidates round here are at least.
The candidates in Wills are Peter Khalil (labor) and Adam Pulford (greens) and a bunch of other people who have no chance
Peter supposedly has been doing some good stuff locally, I kind of dislike him because of how crap his campaign was in 2016 though. I remember trying to look him up at the time and all I could find was generic speeches about generic policies (mostly housing affordability, which seems to be what labor campaigns on in that area). Compared to Samantha Ratnam who was the greens candidate at the time (she's now the leader of the victorian greens) who was constantly out talking to people and attending community events and stuff (apparently she's very convincing), to me it kinda seemed like he was just there to be a generic labor member. Locally though, he seems to be doing fine so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a lot of people voting for him because of that. More widely though, labor policies just aren't moving fast enough - their target is 50% renewable energy by 2030. Last year renewable energy made up 21% of Australia's energy generation - the year before that it was 17% and the year before that 17.3%. Given the 12 years we have to limit the worst of climate damage, their target being 50% by 2030 is kinda ridiculous.
Despite the swing to the greens at the last election, and the greens winning my state electorate, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Labor wins the seat again. There's a lot of very left wing people in my area, and I'd imagine that climate change would be a big issue for a lot of them. However, the more north you go the more labor it gets, which tends to be why Brunswick and Northcote (state electorates) are more green than Wills and Batman (the federal electorates encompassing them). As much as I'd like Adam to win it, I think I'm expecting it to go to labor again. At least the results are interesting to watch when it's close.
(https://i.imgur.com/an68BgE.png)
I find it kinda funny that there's any similarity with one nation. Although if you actually go through and click on their policy it doesn't really match up, the abc just split the policy into agree-disagree options. Although I'd argue that some of the statements from One Nation don't justify them being put in the category they are in.
Not sure about the AEC but I know for the VEC they take data from other sources (including VCAA) and can enrol you without you having to do anything.Also applies if you have a my.gov account or use any of its services - e.g. centrelink, tax office, medicare etc.
I updated my address on my.gov and a few weeks later got a letter from the AEC saying they had notice from another government agency that my details had changed and they'd be updating my division etc.I was somewhat worried that they'd do that to me but it seems I'm getting away with it because my current address is listed as a term address not a home address - for centrelink at least.
Is it legal for parties to check out what's on the form?https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-20/why-federal-election-candidates-are-sending-postal-vote-forms/11028154
Yep. Mr Diak said there was nothing stopping political parties from "extracting and viewing" your postal vote application, if it's sent back to them in the envelope they supplied.
That means they could access your:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Enrolled address
- Postal address
- Contact details (including your email address, mobile phone number and home phone number)
- A security question and answer
Why tf is this legal?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-20/why-federal-election-candidates-are-sending-postal-vote-forms/11028154
Obviously sending the form back to a political party rather than directly to the AEC is a bad idea, but this just seems so wrong and deliberately misleading.
I find it kinda funny that there's any similarity with one nation. Although if you actually go through and click on their policy it doesn't really match up, the abc just split the policy into agree-disagree options. Although I'd argue that some of the statements from One Nation don't justify them being put in the category they are in.It's funny how on many issues Greens and One Nation actually takes the same stance. Just my opinion, but after reading through both ON and Greens's statements - they DO actually share similar viewpoints, but just for vastly different reasons. For example regarding government subsidies to private health insurance: Greens disagree because the subsidies largely benefit those who are already financially better off; while ON disagrees because they just believes in less government intervention period.
1. Who will you be voting for? Why?Just my opinion, but I do find it funny (and somewhat concerning) that especially among young people, it is now more socially acceptable to show support for a far-left party like Greens than a centre-right party like Liberal. The reaction people give to "I vote liberal" is usually the reaction I'd only reserve for a special species known as Bob Katter supporters.
I'm planning to vote Liberal. Don't hate me pleeeeaaase.
lol
One Nation is dead
nice one Dickson 😂
R.I.P Pauline haha
Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus.
It's funny how on many issues Greens and One Nation actually takes the same stance. Just my opinion, but after reading through both ON and Greens's statements - they DO actually share similar viewpoints, but just for vastly different reasons. For example regarding government subsidies to private health insurance: Greens disagree because the subsidies largely benefit those who are already financially better off; while ON disagrees because they just believes in less government intervention period.Yeah that's basically what I meant. You can't really tell the reasons for their policies just from where they sit on the agree/disagree thing though.
Just my opinion, but I do find it funny (and somewhat concerning) that especially among young people, it is now more socially acceptable to show support for a far-left party like Greens than a centre-right party like Liberal. The reaction people give to "I vote liberal" is usually the reaction I'd only reserve for a special species known as Bob Katter supporters.I guess young people just don't want to be discriminated against for being different ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Major story out of the election this week has been candidates dropping like flies. The Liberals have lost a couple in Victoria yesterday. One for anti-muslim comments, another for being hopelessly homophobic.The homophobic guy was in my electorate - which is kinda funny given the greens candidate is a gay man. He's been making the most of the situation though
The homophobic guy was in my electorate - which is kinda funny given the greens candidate is a gay man. He's been making the most of the situation though
Just me, or has Shorten's media performance gone to the next level over the last few weeks?
I've been wondering this myself. Current theory is that there's been no change and that the media are reporting more positively because they're resigned to a Labor victory now.
IMO he just seems a lot more polished and relaxed at the moment. Don't think it's a media perception thing, although that's probably also the case.
Anyone else getting far too much mail? Tonight I got 2 pro-Liberal-candidate, 1 anti-Liberal, 1 anti-Liberal, and one nice yellow one from UAP. Of course, a lot of it says exactly what I've heard in previous weeks (so, it's still misleading...). Am I the only one where it feels I'm less likely to accept a political message the more times I hear it repeated?
Also, anyone believe UAP can form government? ;D I've seen that claim from them too many times so far, and it seems particularly improbable - after all, it was based on their polling including 28% undecided, and an assumption that all of those undecided people would vote UAP...
There's also a site called SmartVote where you can see how you match up with candidates and parties but it hasn't really been updated with minor parties, and also major party candidates just follow the 'party' line and thus all have the same answer.personal thoughts on the electionTbh I feel bad cos I couldn't care less about the election this year :/ It's weird cos I study politics at uni but I've been so busy with uni that I don't have time to follow :/ (not a good excuse I know :P) I'm registered at my parents' home in Melbourne, the seat is kinda safe Labor and I doubt it will change. And because I'm not in Melbourne atm I haven't received any mail :P (also walking around Canberra and I don't notice any signs at all???)
I did Vote Compass (cbf pasting screenshots) and was placed close to the centre but slightly closer to Labor than Liberal, but I matched up 57% with Liberal, 53% with Labor, 52% with Greens and 43% One Nation. What a centrist lol (I voted Greens in 2016 but I've definitely changed - there are like some policies I strongly agree yet strongly disagree with on each party so idk). I was pretty certain I was gonna vote Labor like up until a month or 2 ago but now I'm reconsidering. Idek what happened - nothing that has happened has changed my mind but I just feel like I should be educating myself more rather than sticking with the same mindset lol. My parents are also voting differently.
I really feel like I'm being a bad citizen. I really want someone to help educate me on what to do this election haha.
Anyone else getting far too much mail? Tonight I got 2 pro-Liberal-candidate, 1 anti-Liberal, 1 anti-Liberal, and one nice yellow one from UAP. Of course, a lot of it says exactly what I've heard in previous weeks (so, it's still misleading...). Am I the only one where it feels I'm less likely to accept a political message the more times I hear it repeated?The inner teenager within me always makes me want to specifically not vote for anyone who sends me mail lol.
Also, anyone believe UAP can form government? ;D I've seen that claim from them too many times so far, and it seems particularly improbable - after all, it was based on their polling including 28% undecided, and an assumption that all of those undecided people would vote UAP...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-13/election-2019-vote-compass-left-right-polarisation/11095554?
Australia electorates from most left to most right according to vote compass data.
Interestingly bothBatmanCooper and Wills (labor held) are more left than Melbourne (greens held).
Found this graphic interesting
(https://i.imgur.com/a2WLUN1.png?1)
Still lowkey sus on VoteCompass
I voted for the Greens after reading their policies, voted for Labor before but did not realise that MNCs were donating large amounts of money to them, therefore resulting in the lack of action against climate change.
Certainly someone primarily interested in climate change would be likely to vote Greens at this election, because their policies on reducing emissions are much more aggressive than Labor's, but I'm not sure it's entirely fair to say that Labor has contributed a relatively poor climate policy because of their donations. This doubtless makes a contribution, but it's a lot more complex than that.
Climate politics has been a poison chalice in Australian politics for a long time. It brought down Rudd, likely brought down Gillard, didn't touch Abbott and then brought down Turnbull. All the while the Greens haven't handled this particularly well either. They, somewhat opportunistically, tried to differentiate themselves from Labor by voting down the ETS. This led to Rudd's removal and Gillard then minority government. In minority government they insisted on a flat tax (which is probably equal to or inferior to an ETS) that actually covered a much narrower base than the original ETS, but legislated stronger targets (largely irrelevant). The end result was that we were left with a politically dangerous climate policy that was scrapped as soon as Abbott came in. Moreover, the policy played better in the hands of Greens supporters because tax sounds better than ETS and targets look useful and actionable, even when they're not really.
Obviously I do say a lot of that as a criticism of the Greens, which those who read my shit here will know I am no big fan of. However, it also illustrates that climate politics in Australia has been horribly fraught. It's likely that this has contributed to the horrible dearth of policy we see from the major parties. The absence of a price on carbon being one of the most significant policy failures.
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) staff have called police to a pre-polling booth in Canberra after an altercation between Liberal candidate Mina Zaki and a Labor volunteer.
Officials for the AEC reported the incident to police after Ms Zaki, who is running in the seat of Canberra, told Labor Senate candidate Katy Gallagher to "put a leash on your dog", referring to a volunteer who was campaigning outside a polling booth in Canberra's inner-north.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-16/canberra-prepoll-station-police-called-candidate-fight/11120166
lol
Former Prime Minister, and Bill Shorten mentor, Bob Hawke has died.
Political afficionados, what are franking credits and why is there a big deal about them? Google only gives me big financial terms that I understand approximately 0% of lol.I'll try to be relatively thorough, sorry if this gets too detailed.
I'll try to be relatively thorough, sorry if this gets too detailed.
The (main) way companies can distribute their profits back to shareholders is by issuing dividends. The company might decide, for example, to issue a $1 dividend per share that you own.
Company profits are taxed - in Australia, 30%. That means that the dividend had already been taxed. Dividends are also taxed as personal income for the investor, at regular income tax rates (which would vary between investors, of course).
To avoid this 'double-taxation', in Australia we have what's known as dividend franking. Essentially, the investor receives a tax credit equal to the tax that the company had already paid on the dividend. Say your tax liability was $1000, but the franking credit is $120 (i.e. you received $400 in dividends, which taxed at a 30% rate means a $120 tax liability for the company), you only need to pay $880 in tax. The effect of this is that rather than the dividend getting taxed at the company tax rate, it's actually only taxed at the individual investor's income tax rate, which could be higher or lower than the 30% corporate tax rate. Australia is fairly unique in having this 'fully-franked' imputation system.
Now, what happens if you have no income tax liability (i.e. you're a retiree)? As a further innovation on our dividend imputation system, Howard introduced cash refunds. So now you get that $100 as straight up cash from the government. The dividend doesn't get taxed at all, not in corporate tax and not for the investor.
Labor wants to abolish those cash refunds, except for pensioners.
The way this mechanically works with receiving the credit is a little different than described, but the outcome is the same.
Fucking pumped for Day 1 of the Bill Shorten prime ministership yeah boiSpeaking of Bill, a person I know from my course managed to snag a photo with him earlier today haha.
Fucking pumped for Day 1 of the Bill Shorten prime ministership yeah boiStill feeling so confident?
The greens ain't doing good
Still feeling so confident?
Fucking pumped for Day 1 of the Bill Shorten prime ministership yeah boi
Greens are doing fine, btw. Not their #1 fan but their vote has generally held up. Labor's hasn't.Not in my seat
There'll be a lot of commentary about how or why this happened, but there's a strong suggestion it's the 65+ and the dividend imputation changes we discussed above that killed Labor. Very sad that real reform in this country just can't happen.
Not in my seatIs that Canberra? They're up 6% on their 2016 result. It was all a PR stunt, they were never a chance there.