For all you Australians or remarkably informed others, what are your thoughts on the Australian election?

I want Rudd and Labour to win, Costello will make a god awful Prime Minister and Howard isn't exactly changing his policy too much besides bribing the voters. The recent Greens preferences were great work too, it's just annoying how Family First has set themselves up of the guardian of Christian values in Australian politics.

Anyway, what do people think of the election so far?

Independants. Our last one would still be in the running (and win) if he didn't pick up a nasty case of cancer. The currently running independent has his endorsement, though, and it looks like most people will be voting for him.

I'd like labour to win, though, even if I am nervous about how they'll handle the economy. In his last term, little Johnnie has, in the face of massive opposition, passed laws that turn us into AmericaLite, with a few more safeguards and slightly less decay.

Yeah. Anyway.

Hum, probably labor though maybe greens for some reason

I'm not so sure about Labor winning, a party majority in both the upper and lower houses worries me - too much potential for block voting. Other than that, I don't really care, Rudd and Howard will both do a decent job.

There's really not much hope for anyone other than Labor/Liberal getting in, sadly.

As compared to, say, the current one, where Howard has a rubber stamp, except when Barnaby Joice wants a moment in the sun with the press?

That's just it, it won't just be Howard, it will also be Costello if they win, unless Howard goes back on his word again. Right now there are no checks and balances, workchoices is the best proof of that. The Senate vote will be unusually competitive this time though.

it was always going to be bad when libs got control of the senate. I'm undecided on the issue, i like the way lib handles the economy, and labor has a history of being douchebags when it comes to spending and interest rates, then again I'm thinking of leaving australia for a few years and travelling, so i might vote for old mate Ruddy and see how he does.

Kudos to everyone who spelt the political party "Labor" correctly. Hatred to Labor for misspelling their own party name.

Yeah, I'll probably vote for Rudd.

And the Liberals are defeated by a nice margin, Howard might even lose his seat. Was so worth wasting 3 hours of my life watching on tv.

Really, was anyone surprised?

I spent like an hour out voting with my mother (stupid lines) and then we got home and found out she voted for the other guy! If it wasn't for the fines we might as well have stayed at home.

damn Labor voters ruining this country!