Australia votes conservatives for a third term

I found it interesting, watching the Australian election coverage last night, and hearing the commentators explain that policies which win votes in Melbourne, for example, directly lose votes in Queensland (which explains something of the unexpected result we're seeing).

It makes me curious about what looks like increasing polarisation in Australia, similar to what we've seen in America, and I'm not, on the face of it, convinced that that's a good thing. Are there no longer values which we can appreciate and get behind, as a nation? Why not? And how might we, as a Christian community, respond to that changing social landscape?

There's lots to reflect on...

I'm in Australia too and really found this a very difficult election to vote in.
I really wanted to hear of help for those in need (of which is increasing all the time) ie housing,health, water, ( a huge issue that seems ignored) but it was basically talk of tax and climate.

One thing that needs to be pointed out to American readers is that the right in these other countries are not like the right here in the U.S. Their conservatism can manifest in different ways than we think of.

mukk_in said:

It's likely that Trump will be voted back in next year.

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You're counting that chicken before the egg has been laid, much less hatched.

Yes, our political and social landscape is quite different to America's. Nonetheless it does seem as if we're seeing some similar trends.

At this point it looks like we might well be looking at a minority government, so that could make the next few years quite interesting.

I think Labour focused too much on renewable energy and climate change . I mean electric car production being the way of the future for every Australian. Which has been tested in trial runs in other countries. But probmatic as you would need recharging stations everywhere. People are looking for a stable and prosperous economy for their future. Climate change legislation restricts that. And until we find a more viable alternative than best to leave it alone. Unless of course you vote green. As to the right side of politics becoming more popular of late. Maybe people just want more jurisdiction and control of what takes place in their own country without having to take care of the rest of the world. As to our Christian community in Australia I find that question rather a enigma in many ways especially when it comes to Australian culture . They do seem to like to know that the God and the church is there. But if you should venture out from within the church doors. Like to work: the football: the beach: the horse races and especially the pub. And if you do mention anything about religion there. Well there be much trouble and they do procrastinate to the heavens straight away to bring down lightening bolts apon you along with a few of their own for doing so.

mukk_in said:

Great point. Regardless, I believe Trump's going to win. Had similar commentary in 2016.

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I don't know what you read/heard, but the mythology that the polls were 100% wrong and we can never trust polls again because of 2016 is just that. The polls were actually right. Hillary Clinton got 3 million more votes than Trump and combined all other candidates who received more than 100,000 votes "other" got 10,000,000 more votes. 2016 was hardly a mandate. The difference came down to about 150,000 votes combined in 3 states (so about 50,000 each) out of 136,000,000 votes cast (0.001%).

And that's not even taking into account his dismal approval numbers and the shellacking the Republicans took in 2018.

We're not exactly in the midst of a red wave here in the U.S.

Paidiske said:

It makes me curious about what looks like increasing polarisation in Australia, similar to what we've seen in America, and I'm not, on the face of it, convinced that that's a good thing. Are there no longer values which we can appreciate and get behind, as a nation? Why not? And how might we, as a Christian community, respond to that changing social landscape?

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For the Christians, I think you have to start by emphasizing God's Kingdom as a higher priority than political parties or philosophies or positions. When those in the church buy into that, you can have peace in the church. When you have peace in the church, you can give that peace to those outside the church.

mukk_in said:

Oh no, I didn't say the polls were wrong. Just referring to current trends.

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Current trends - such as the approval ratings which have barely caught up to those of Carter and Ford - don't exactly point to a Trump re-election.

mukk_in said:

Agreed. Current trends could change quickly. They seem to be indicating that at this time and I'm inclined to believe them more than logic. Again, by current trends I'm not referring to approval ratings/opinion polls/exit polls but the prevailing mood of the public which has confounded many analysts, like in Australia.

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What data are you using to draw a distinction between polling and the prevailing mood of the public?

IMO there were a number of reasons why Labor lost, I don't think there was a single reason. I'd include

- Shorten isn't the most charismatic of figures
- Labor was making major changes to tax law for negative gearing, franking credits and general tax thresholds - that's a lot of change to explain to an electorate in one go.
- Climate scare campaign pushing voters in the QLD mining industry to vote Liberal
- Shorten asking Morrison the "Folau question" was a mis-step and made it look like Labor was going to attack religious speech (and played into the hands of conservative independents)
- Labor didn't do well in NSW as the Liberal state government was generally considered to be doing a good job, NSW Labor has a very chequered history and this influenced voters (there's always some crossover between state and federal issues)
- The economy is generally doing well at the moment, it is always hard to get voters to change when things aren't bad.

Then there's the bizarre stuff, like Tony Abbott getting absolutely smashed in Warringah, but Barnaby Joyce retaining New England with a swing TOWARDS him. After all his carry-on, he increased his vote???

Paidiske said:

I found it interesting, watching the Australian election coverage last night, and hearing the commentators explain that policies which win votes in Melbourne, for example, directly lose votes in Queensland (which explains something of the unexpected result we're seeing).

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I think what we’re seeing is part of Labor’s big problem (and globally, traditional left-wing parties in general) – they’re trying to be two parties in one. They’re trying to push “socially progressive” policies favoured by inner-city left-leaning voters and reconcile them with pro-worker policies favoured by outer-city and country working class voters.

As we’ve seen, in many cases those policies are diametrically opposed.

They're mostly diametrically opposed when it comes to environmental issues. If "pro-worker" is interpreted as "pro-environmental exploitation/damage" (as in the case of the Adani mine) then you have a very difficult problem indeed.

Perhaps part of the problem is in showing how being environmentally responsible can actually create jobs?

mukk_in said:

From Japan to India, from the US to Australia, from Philippines to Brazil, has the world turned "right"?

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No, I think the Left has gone so far left that the middle looks Right in comparison. IOW, the common normal people who haven't yet lost their sanity will now appear to be "Right".

I like these outcomes.

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#metoo lol