If the major party politicians hate it, then that’s a good reason for voters to like it.
I’m referring to the current likely result of the state election, the major parties doing deals with minor parties and independents in order for one to form a government.
Scare campaigns from the major parties along the lines ‘it will be a shambles’ will be shouted to hopefully decrease the support of the minor parties and independents. But will it really be worse than when either major party has a majority?
I admit I am cynical about politics. It seems to be person first, party second, people third. The 3P’s of politics’. Anyone is welcome to think otherwise, and yes there are exceptions. But the major parties only have themselves to blame for the communal cynicism due to the continual damage they do to their own brands.
A true minority government should be more transparent due to greater scrutiny of the policies needing parliament approval. This transparency may unsurprisingly reveal greater support for the electorates which the minor parties or independents hold. If it’s a people first decision then good luck to them, as this might be their only time in the sunshine to win more for their electorate. It will make governing the state more difficult, but greater transparency does offer the potential to reverse the priority order of the 3P’s and put people first. (Now the cynic is sounding like an idealist!)
Better government will however be determined by the people we choose to put in parliament.
This state election preferential voting is compulsory, each box should be filled in correctly to be a valid vote. In marginal seats, which I feel Rockhampton has now joined Keppel in becoming, your second or even third preference may determine who ultimately wins.
Through all the party and personality bashing negative noise hopefully we will get to hear some visions from the candidates for their electorate and the state. Not the party rehearsed conditional cash offers or substance less statements about creating more jobs, but what the individual candidate wants to make happen, what really drives them to stand for election.
As some of these candidates may find themselves in a position to not only determine who governs Queensland, but settle on the conditions for their support. Thus it would be extremely beneficial to know what each candidate’s real passion is. What game changer vision do they have for their electorate, the state. As without true passion to make a positive difference for their electorate and state I wonder how effective they will be in putting people first. Let’s see some passion in the campaign.