A refreshing change

The makeover of this website is now complete and thanks to Abbie-Rose Design for doing such a great job. The launch last week coincidentally coincided with the launch of the Bass Greens candidates in the upcoming state election, of which I am lucky last support candidate at number seven. Emphasis on that word ‘support’. In Tasmania’s wonderfully unique Hare Clark voting system any votes I manage to win will be redistributed across the ticket to ultimately reach and add to those of our lead candidate Cecily Rosol. How brilliant it will be to see her elected, and all the hard work she’s put in over the last few elections when she’s put up her hand to stand, finally pays off.

This election will certainly be interesting given Tasmania’s parliament is at last being restored to 35 seats, and with a crowded field of candidates – including several standing as Independents – the word from the number crunchers is we are heading for a minority government. A healthy change in my opinion. The days of majority governments are all but over and a healthy mix of views and – one hopes – fresh ideas and vision should make for an interesting time ahead. Certainly if the pundits are correct then all the elected MPs will be required to work a good deal harder, and compromise and negotiation will be essential. With a little over two weeks to go it’s going to be a wild ride, but fingers crossed.

State election 2024

So here we are again

with another election

and another poll where

ballot papers are ticked

and we make our selection

from the red, blue and green

or maybe yellow or teal

but will it really be different

to the polls held before?

will boastful promises and claims

repeatedly proclaimed

during weeks of campaigns

then be broken or shelved?

because when counting is done

and no Party has won

and the result is a wicket

and a new game of cricket

with a new set of rules

and an exacting schedule

for those 35 reps

(who'll all need to take steps)

to discuss and debate

and compromise views

to ensure outcomes will not be abused