Tag: Australian Politics

February In Review: Why voting smarter will help us trust the Government

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“[In] Australia increased trust in the institution of government is up 13 percentage points to 56 per cent.

However, three in five Australians (60 per cent) do not trust government leaders to tell the truth regardless of how complex or unpopular it is.

And two in five Australians (40 per cent) do not trust government leaders to make ethical and moral decisions.”

Source: Business Insider 

February was a really interesting month — Schapelle released, Ukraine in turmoil, Protests at the Winter Olympics, The USA dodging another fiscal default, Aussie troops coming home from Afghanistan, The violent death of an asylum seeker at Manus Island and GWAR’s decapitation of a Tony Abbott effigy at Soundwave.

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What Tony Abbott and Michael Clarke have in common!

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I had a bit of an argument with my parents about Tony Abbott the other day.

I argued at the time: Tony Abbott isn’t, in my personal opinion, an impressive statesman. After so long as a politician, he should have a better grip of diplomacy, personal image and the way he carries himself. I.e. Indonesian phone hacking scandal.

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In the “NO” – a brief monthly review of Auspol: Marriage Equality, the Great Barrier Reef, Holden, Indonesia and the death of the Carbon Tax

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A brief rundown of the major events in Australia Politics in the last 6 weeks!
There seems to be a lot of “No” lately.

Let’s kick it off with the most recent:

MARRIAGE EQUALITY
No to Gay Marriage.

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The Australian High Court (highest in the land) over turned the Australian Capital Territory’s Marriage Equality laws.

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KRudd hits the ‘Game Over’ button, why was he important?

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First entry on the road! Currently on the Eastern Seaboard!

Kevin Rudd resigned from Parliament last night.

“Why should I care, PIK? What does it mean? What will it change?!”

Firstly, there will be a By-election in the seat of Griffith, Queensland. A by-election is an out of term (Parliament is elected every 4 years) election for a single, or multiple electorates. Because we live in a Democracy and the institute of Parliament is a pretty important one, KRudd’s seat can’t be left vacant for 4 years. Just because one seat goes to an election doesn’t mean the whole state or country has to — unless you were the Gillard Government of 2010-2013(!)

By-elections are often non-events, they will happen very quietly and we’ll hear in a few weeks who replaces Kevin. The ALP are confident of holding the seat, which is likely. By-elections occur when an MP dies or retires; if electoral boundaries change, then that change usually affects the next election (informed well in advance), but never mid term.

Check out how the electoral boundaries of Griffith have changed!

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Piggy Banks to Power Plays [Part One]: Globalisation and its impact

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******Firstly, however, A UPDATE ON MY PREVIOUS ENTRY: “The American Government Shutdown Explained!”*******

The Democrats, [Obama and his Government] have the majority in the Senate, not House of Representatives. The Republicans have the majority in the lower house [the HoR] – but the Democrats have the majority of seats over the total seats in both houses: 332 [to the Republicans 206]. US politics is a very different kettle of fish to Australia. Legislation doesn’t usually originate from the Upper House in a Westminster system [Aus, UK, Canada], but in the case of the US Presidential system, it can. But because the Americans are Bicameral [two houses of Parliament] it needs the approval of the other house, despite where it starts, so Obama is dealing with a hostile [Opposition majority] House of Reps. 

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Gen Y: Why we’ve ‘had it’ up to the headphones with Politics..

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I initially started out wanting to do an entry on why Gen Y were so disengaged from this election, then came the furor about Tony Abb-…Prime Minster Abbott’s Cabinet. I sent out a survey to some fellow Gen Y-ers, and got some fascinating responses; I have talked to many other people ofdifferent ages and professions, and every generation had a different experience.

I want to explore Gen –Y’s…

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Quick Questionnaire: Why were Gen Y so disengaged form this election?

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I’ve decided to do a little bit of research for my next entry, and I have been shooting this Questionnaire around, feel free to fill it out, send it to friends etc. The more the merrier!

Email it back to : politicsinflykicks@hotmail.com

I am really really interested in what people have to say, absolutely anything. So feel free also to email me your thoughts as well!

QUICK QUESTIONNAIRE

“Why do you think Gen Y were so disengaged from this election?”

Keep it short and sweet!
Answer the Questions which apply to you J

First Name:

Occupation/ Age:

Any formal/personal political affiliations? [I.e. Member of ALP, Liberal Party, Young Liberals etc]

 

What was your role in the recent Election? [I.e. Voter/Campaigner/ AEC Work]

 

Did you observe much media coverage [online, print, radio, TV etc] about the election? Discuss your observations:

 

In your role at the bygone election, what were some common attitudes you noticed? Specific issues mentioned?

 

If you worked for an MP/Political Party, did they undertake any specific means to target Gen Y? [18-24 y.os], were they considered a target group at all?

 

 

Why do you think Gen Y were disengaged from this election campaign/politics in general?

 

 

Describe your social media experience/observations in the lead up and after the election? What are people talking about?

 

 

What are your thoughts on this statistic: Only 5% [25 000] of 500 000 18 -24 yo.s registered to vote at this election, the AEC’s Campaign was deemed a failure, what do you think can be done to engage Gen Y better?

 

 

 

People vote for a party leader, not for a local member: TRUE/FALSE

 

Do you agree or disagree with the possibility of the voting age being raised to 21 again, so young people can make a more informed vote?

 

If there was a Gen Y-written blog on Politics, International issues and current affairs that you could connect with on Twitter, through Facebook and by email, would you read it and interact with it? [I.e. suggest issues to be written about to the author] and recommend it to your friends? Yes/No

Look forward to getting some responses!

– PIK