In Werribee, 42.3% of voters cast a ballot for a minor party or independent.
(In Prahran, where Labor didn’t run, it’s 63.8%.)
It’s into this electoral environment that the major parties now seek to pass “donation reforms” to protect 2-party primacy.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-10/byelections-show-federal-election-will-be-a-wild-ride/104915606?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other
(In Prahran, where Labor didn’t run, it’s 63.8%.)
It’s into this electoral environment that the major parties now seek to pass “donation reforms” to protect 2-party primacy.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-10/byelections-show-federal-election-will-be-a-wild-ride/104915606?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other
Comments
'Safe' Labor seats with low turnouts and high informals is a trap for the unwary incumbent.
Hopefully it’ll change at the federal election to a community indie
Clive Palmer’s influence is vastly overstated.
What’s not overstated is how cheaply political influence is sold inside major parties. Usually for tens of thousands, very very rarely for $1m+.
Right now they're keeping open loopholes that'll allow Rinehart to dump millions into the Coalition via state branches and new "subscription" donations.
That says major parties *actually want to keep being bought*.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2024/11/22/labor-liberal-campaign-finance-donation-legislation/
👎duopoly
👎career politicians
Duopolies are as bad in politics as in business.
I wrote about this slide in primary support at the last election, and things have only accelerated since.
https://michaelwest.com.au/revolt-in-the-menzies-land-frustrated-voters-deliver-independents-day/
Both seem more comfortable working with each other than working with the crossbench.
If that's the case, it may be the FIRST chance.