Election paaaaaaarty!

[bop_radar]

I don't usually talk politics in this journal and I'm not going to do so at length now. But today Australians went to the polls in a federal election that may end the Howard government. Fingers crossed! From the year I turned 18 on, John Howard has been our prime minister. In the last four years, his coalition government has also had a majority and has been able to push through all sorts of socially damaging legislation. I'm about to turn 30 and I've never had a government I voted for in office. Tonight I hope that's about to change, though I suspect the result's going to be a lot closer then the polls for the last few weeks have been indicating.

I enjoy voting and today, a brilliant sunny Melbourne Saturday was no exception. I love that voting is compulsory in this country and that everyone turns out, young or old, new immigrant or seventh-generation Aussie. I love the sausage sizzles and the absurdly long senate voting paper (does it get longer every election? it feels like it!). I've worked as a polling official in previous elections but this year I decided to take this election off so I could (I hope) enjoy watching the results come in over drinks with friends.

Fingers crossed that by this time tomorrow Kevin Rudd's our new PM and Labor are back in power after 12 years out of office.

ETA: :D :D :D :D
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Man, I love Julia Gillard. First female Australian Deputy PM! She's all class. So was Maxine until she started baabbling about nuns and blindness...
Howard lost his seat! Lost. His Seat. :D Now he's just got to cry on tv and all my dreams will have come true...

Comments

[darenothope.livejournal.com]

It felt good to vote. It was just a good feeling. Like you're doing your bit for the country.

I love that it's compulsory too. I saw a diversity of people at my polling booth go to vote. It's the one thing that the country does together. It's just really awesome and a little bit patriotic, I feel.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yes, I really do like that. Regardless of the outcome, polling day always feels kind of special.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm actually hoping Howard himself will get booted from his own seat. There's a strong chance! *bouncy* Polling just closed.

[fahye.livejournal.com]

*waves pompoms* MAX! INE! MAX! INE!

My Senate paper was small compared to most, I think :D Less like a tablecloth, more like an unfolded pamplet.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

MAXIIIIIIIIIIIINE! ABC are calling it for Labor. WooooooT!!!

[mranderson71.livejournal.com]

Kevin oh Seven!

I voted Labour. Im also hoping little Johnny gets the boot...I certainly don't want Costello taking over.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hell no. Costello's so slimy. And if Labor don't win now, looks like we're stick with him since looks like Howard's lost Bennelong!!!

[elzed.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed! Not my vote, but I know what it feels like to get rid of a long standing hostile government. I still remember the feeling on that May morning in 1997 when the Conservatives got voted out of office after 12 years. Yeah, yeah, since the the optimism faded (Iraq war? What Iraq war...) but still...

[shopfront.livejournal.com]

Heee, I've been reading exceptionally lengthy Snape-mentors-Harry fic to distract myself from imploding with election related tension, but it's looking pretty damn good right now, thank god. I can't put into words how much I don't want Costello or Howard in office. *shudder*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

It's looking goooooooooooood!!!!! *high fives you*

[sadface.livejournal.com]

This entry is an amusing contrast to the other on my flist that just says 'SUCK SHIT, HOWARD'

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

FUCK YEAH!

[allzugern.livejournal.com]

SQUEEEEEEEEEE! I AM SO THRILLED! It gives me hope for the 2008 American elections!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

It's so YAY!

[elzed.livejournal.com]

Oh, good news! Congrats!!!

[giggleloop.livejournal.com]

Congrats Aussies!!! :D Here's hoping next year turns out as well for the US! :)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hope so! *high fives*

[katiebugs18.livejournal.com]

Congrats to you. That's absolutely great news not only for Aussies but for the US as well. One less 'yes man' for Bush.

And a female PM, that's so great. As more and more countries elect women to the highest office in the land it makes the US look more and more ridiculous. The fact that we have to deal with op-ed pieces and news reports constantly talking about how people (ie. men) aren't willing to vote for a woman President is infuriating. The fact that there are elements of truth to it makes it even more so.

While I'm not suppose to take sides due to my job (I work in party politics) it's been incredibly exciting to see Hillary Clinton running and quite possibly winning. Goodness knows we need a new leader and a new direction as well.

Congrats to you and all Aussies on this exciting day.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yup, one less 'yes man'. Though he was very careful to acknowledge the US as allies. Female deputy PM, yeah. I actually think that Australia's even more backward than the US when it comes to women in politics. It saddens me but a female PM wouldn't stand a hope here--I hope Hillary proves them wrong in the US!

[hazyshade.livejournal.com]

I'm glad for you guys! :) I grew up with Thatcher in power, so I completely understand the need for a breath of fresh - and less damaging - political air *lol* ;)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yes my parents left the UK in the Thatcher era... my dog used to have a squeaky toy of her face that threw around by the nose.

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

All the Aussies on my list are celebrating! Great news!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

With good reason! There is much to be joyful about today. :D

[kristiinthedark.livejournal.com]

YAY! That is so good to hear, and it pleases me endlessly to see you happy about politics!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Really?! *happy*

[canadiangirl-86.livejournal.com]

Yay for you!!!!!

There are a couple Aussies on my flist who seem to be rather disappointed but oh well! YAY YOU!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

VERY YAY!

[nehellania.livejournal.com]

Hee! Your political joy amuses me. I'm very impressed really. Majority Labor government, Howard losing his seat, I really don't think that could have gone better for people who wanted Howard and his party out. It'll be interesting to see what Rudd does with his time in office.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I don't think it could have gone much better either! :D I'm under no illusions that I'll agree with all of Rudd's policies, but his politics are a lot closer to what I want than Howard's. Apart from anything else he'll sign Kyoto.

[smact46.livejournal.com]

Yay from me!!!

We went out to see 30 days of night (I liked this a lot) at the movies and called in to a bar on the way home to here the poll results...ended up having sparkles to celebrate! And the greens have done so well...I am squeeing big time over that.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Cool--that sounds like fun!

[serenography.livejournal.com]

Well I know absolutely nothing about Australian politics, but um.. YAY! If you're pleased, than I am too. (I trust you implicitly in this).

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks.

[brokenmnemonic.livejournal.com]

Excellent news :D Has he been on tv crying yet? I hope you're still partying to celebrate this, after everything Howard has put your country through...

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

No actual crying, no. He was very composed. But he did look like shit on his morning walk the next day...

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I forgot to say that there was actually one brilliant moment on the televised results. One channel had this (hideous) graphic for when someone lost a seat--they'd flash up a picture of them, paint a black cross over their face and then feed it through a shredder. And yes... Howard got shredded. :D :D Because the seat wavered back and forth, they had to pull him back out of the shredder later, but then they shredded him AGAIN.

It was happymaking. :)

[ciaan]

Yay for you and Aus!

I have no idea why the US considers it okay to require children to go to school and get vaccinated, require everyone to pay taxes, require everyone to do jury duty, require all men to sign up for the draft.... and yet thinks it beyond the pale to require people to vote. (Of course, step one would be LETTING everyone vote when they want to, but...)

As for female heads of state, if India, Pakistan, and Indonesia can do it, why can't we?

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

These things are indeed baffling!