Conservatives win Australian elections

Bob Crowley · May 18, 2019

After voting in Australia's federal elections yesterday (18th May 2019 our time), it appears the Conservative coalition (Liberal & National parties) have defeated the Labor Party. I suppose the Conservatives in Australia roughly equate to the Republicans in the US, while Labor approximates to the Democrats. There are variations however.

As it happened: Labor suffers humiliating defeat

At least it looks like the revolving door syndrome which has applied to our Prime Ministers in recent times might have come to an end. We had seven prime ministers in ten years. Link refers.

Australia has now had seven prime ministers in just 10 years -- here's who they are and how long they were in office

The bloke in the top photograph, Scott Morrison, is the current Prime Minister who led his party to victory in the elections. He is also a Christian, with pentecostal leanings. What that will mean in a very secular Australian political environment remains to be seen.

Apparently he attends a church called Horizon Church in Sutherland, a southern suburb of Sydney, just for the heck of it.

Horizon Church - Wikipedia

redleghunter · May 18, 2019

Was Labor expected to get a majority coalition?

creslaw · May 18, 2019

redleghunter said:
Was Labor expected to get a majority coalition?

Polls for the last 2 years all predicted a Labor victory. Conservative Christians were very concerned because Labor has radical Left social ideas such as forcing religious schools to employ openly homosexual teachers and abortion up until birth.

As a Christian you probably recognize the spiritual dimension of politics. While we know things will continue to decline morally, God still has His way. Many mocked Scott Morrison's religious faith (Pentecostal) ... in his speech claiming victory Morrison said I have always believed in miracles, and among many Christians there is a strong feeling that God intervened to honor his stand for Biblical Christianity.

creslaw · May 18, 2019

Bob Crowley said:
After voting in Australia's federal elections yesterday (18th May 2019 our time), it appears the Conservative coalition (Liberal & National parties) have defeated the Labor Party. I suppose the Conservatives in Australia roughly equate to the Republicans in the US, while Labor approximates to the Democrats. There are variations however.

As it happened: Labor suffers humiliating defeat

At least it looks like the revolving door syndrome which has applied to our Prime Ministers in recent times might have come to an end. We had seven prime ministers in ten years. Link refers.

Australia has now had seven prime ministers in just 10 years -- here's who they are and how long they were in office

The bloke in the top photograph, Scott Morrison, is the current Prime Minister who led his party to victory in the elections. He is also a Christian, with pentecostal leanings. What that will mean in a very secular Australian political environment remains to be seen.

Apparently he attends a church called Horizon Church in Sutherland, a southern suburb of Sydney, just for the heck of it.

Horizon Church - Wikipedia

There are certainly problems with the 'revolving door' situation where there are frequent changes of Prime Minister, but I still feel that making the PM accountable to the party is better than the US situation where one man is invested with so much power for 4 years and the removal process is very cumbersome.

As an Australian Catholic did you find Morrison's Pentecostal faith to be a source of concern? I am sure you are familiar with this photo which was mocked by many on the Left on social media though my charismatic Catholic friends tell me it was not a problem for them.

Bob Crowley · May 19, 2019

creslaw said:
There are certainly problems with the 'revolving door' situation where there are frequent changes of Prime Minister, but I still feel that making the PM accountable to the party is better than the US situation where one man is invested with so much power for 4 years and the removal process is very cumbersome.

As an Australian Catholic did you find Morrison's Pentecostal faith to be a source of concern? I am sure you are familiar with this photo which was mocked by many on the Left on social media though my charismatic Catholic friends tell me it was not a problem for them.
View attachment 256772

I agree with you comment about the revolving door issue, and the US presidential conundrum. Far too much power is invested in one person, almost like the Roman Caesars of old.

I'm in favour of an Australian republic myself, but I'm less clear about what form it should take. I think the President in an Australian context should be along the lines of the Queen's titular role as it is now. She virtually has no role in deciding British (or Australian) government policy, but is still technically the final signature in the process, in the UK at least. We have a Governor-General for the time being, still nominally subject to the British crown, similar to the Canadian system as far as I know, as Canada is also a Constitutional Monarchy. So my thinking would be to replace the Governor General with a President, but restrict his or her powers in the same way the GG has restricted powers. Although Governor General John Kerr did sack the Whitlam government way back in 1975 (they asked for it frankly, as they were so economically incompetent).

This would leave the question of how a President should be selected - by the people, by parliament, or from a shortlist put up by parliament? So I'm less clear on that question.

I have no problem with Scott Morrison's faith as a pentecostal. I used to be Protestant myself, and I sometimes think about going to a charismatic Catholic Church, but don't get around to it, mainly for reasons of time and travel (although we have a couple of prayer groups in our own parish, and I've heard some of them break out in tongues when I've been in their neck of the woods from time to time).

However I'm wary when it comes to politicians' faith declarations. I find that some of them wear it for show, but are quite prepared to compromise their faith in the cold hard light of political pragmatism. I've got no doubt Scott Morrison really believes, but I wonder if he'd compromise if faced with a very hard ethical decision. Or would he just leave it to the party room to make the decision?

So I'll believe it when I see it. Or as my old Presbyterian pastor used to say, "People's politics tends to become their religion."

creslaw · May 19, 2019

Bob Crowley said:
I agree with you comment about the revolving door issue, and the US presidential conundrum. Far too much power is invested in one person, almost like the Roman Caesars of old.

I'm in favour of an Australian republic myself, but I'm less clear about what form it should take. I think the President in an Australian context should be along the lines of the Queen's titular role as it is now. She virtually has no role in deciding British (or Australian) government policy, but is still technically the final signature in the process, in the UK at least. We have a Governor-General for the time being, still nominally subject to the British crown, similar to the Canadian system as far as I know, as Canada is also a Constitutional Monarchy. So my thinking would be to replace the Governor General with a President, but restrict his or her powers in the same way the GG has restricted powers. Although Governor General John Kerr did sack the Whitlam government way back in 1975 (they asked for it frankly, as they were so economically incompetent).

This would leave the question of how a President should be selected - by the people, by parliament, or from a shortlist put up by parliament? So I'm less clear on that question.

I have no problem with Scott Morrison's faith as a pentecostal. I used to be Protestant myself, and I sometimes think about going to a charismatic Catholic Church, but don't get around to it, mainly for reasons of time and travel (although we have a couple of prayer groups in our own parish, and I've heard them some of them break out in tongues when I've been in their neck of the woods from time to time).

However I'm wary when it comes to politicians' faith declarations. I find that some of them wear it for show, but are quite prepared to compromise their faith in the cold hard light of political pragmatism. I've got no doubt Scott Morrison really believes, but I wonder if he'd compromise if faced with a very hard ethical decision. Or would he just leave it to the party room to make the decision?

So I'll believe it when I see it. Or as my old Presbyterian pastor used to say, "People's politics tends to become their religion."

I'm not sure how soon Australia will become a republic (I agree it should be) because the royals have never been more popular ... my daily state paper had 4 full pages on baby Archie!

It must be difficult to be a Christian politician at times. Many criticized Morrison because he abstained on the ssm vote in parliament ... a compromise on what he believes and what the majority vote said. What would I have done in the same position I wonder.

Bob Crowley · May 19, 2019

PS - As a footnote, my own prediction is a "hung parliament". I said this before the election to a few people, but time will tell.

Morrison hasn't yet reached a majority. Here's what happens now

Bob Crowley · May 20, 2019

I may or may not be right about a "hung parliament" but I'll take another punt. I think Anthony Albanese will be the new ALP leader. I had that feeling even before the election, but again time will tell.

This will be of yawning indifference to US readers, but since 90% of the OP's are about US politics, I suppose we may as well have a minute or two before it disappears off the bottom of the page.

It seems President Trump congratulated Scott Morrison over the phone. He wasn't quite so amicable at one point with Malcolm Turnbull when he was prime minister (not that I blame him - I don't see why the US should have been solving our refugee problem).

Trump likens Morrison's election victory to his 2016 presidential win and Brexit

Bob Crowley · May 23, 2019

Well I was wrong about the "hung parliament" but appear to be correct about Anthony Albanese most likely becoming the ALP leader.

Although the way the Senate is going, if the greens and minor parties win enough Senate seats, we may as well have a "hung parliament", since any legislation passed by the House of Representatives has to get through the Senate before it can become law, or be accepted, with the greens and minor parties holding the balance of power.

For what it's worth to the few Australian readers of this post, Jim Chalmers has decided not to contest for ALP leadership, which pretty much leaves the field open to Albanese, barring an unforeseen contender or three.

However I was driving along a certain road a day or so ago, and there was a wall or fence adorned with Jim Chalmers posters, left over from the election. They almost seemed to loom up at me. So I think he's going to figure large in the forthcoming opposition leadership. Anyway that's what I think.

Which is a bit of a giveaway as to where I live. I'm not in his electorate, but not very far away.

mariejustice54 · May 25, 2019

I dont have much knowledge about Australian parliament that why I do not prefer to say nay thing.

mindlight · May 25, 2019

Bob Crowley said:
After voting in Australia's federal elections yesterday (18th May 2019 our time), it appears the Conservative coalition (Liberal & National parties) have defeated the Labor Party. I suppose the Conservatives in Australia roughly equate to the Republicans in the US, while Labor approximates to the Democrats. There are variations however.

As it happened: Labor suffers humiliating defeat

At least it looks like the revolving door syndrome which has applied to our Prime Ministers in recent times might have come to an end. We had seven prime ministers in ten years. Link refers.

Australia has now had seven prime ministers in just 10 years -- here's who they are and how long they were in office

The bloke in the top photograph, Scott Morrison, is the current Prime Minister who led his party to victory in the elections. He is also a Christian, with pentecostal leanings. What that will mean in a very secular Australian political environment remains to be seen.

Apparently he attends a church called Horizon Church in Sutherland, a southern suburb of Sydney, just for the heck of it.

Horizon Church - Wikipedia

Excellent news the Labour party were servants of the dark side if I read their manifesto correctly. Scott Morrison is real believer and that has got to bring a blessing on the country.

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Conservatives win Australian elections

Bob Crowley

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redleghunter

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creslaw

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Bob Crowley

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