March 9 Election

    The State of Western Australia had an election for the Premier (governor) position on March 9th. Politics really isn't a great pastime of mine, as a former election presiding judge back home, the process holds a bit more interest. In Australia, all citizens are obliged to vote in this election. Yes, compulsory with a fine for failing to cast a ballot. Each level of government  runs their own election at their discretion. Monumental waste of money if you ask me, but Aussies have trouble with the idea of tackling more than one jurisdiction at a time. The term of office is known-- four years for the Premier -- but  are as likely to be called on a political whim.  Elections aren't held to standing dates like they are in the U.S., although Saturday is a favored day with 8:30a.m.-5p.m. hours.  Nationwide, all votes are made on paper ballots!  And a voter doesn't vote for their choice of candidate but ranks the entire field in preferred order, e.g. Bob Smith 3, Sue Jones 5, Bill Cunningham 1,  Sam Fields 2,  Jane Doe 4.  The person who has the highest average ranking wins the election.  Making much sense?

     What does appeal is the short campaign season.  This was a five-week campaign, vote, count, finished.  The TV ads are standard: some show the Achilles' heal of the Opposition (such a divisive term but 'majority' and 'minority' are never used), others show candidates in rolled up sleeves shaking hands with the common man. In the country, the presentation is a bit less sophisticated. There is the standard head bobbing with small business leaders but everyone wears tee shirts instead of oxford button downs.  The newspapers, trying to make the most of this increased  circulation opportunity, are hard pressed to dig up dirt in so short a time.  One nonstarter was the rumored precarious health of the current premier.  That fizzled quickly in a splash of wasted ink.

    The main political parties : the Liberal Party (= Republican) and the Labor Party (correct spelling , = Democrats).  They are always a source of exasperating aggravation and laughs. I always enjoy the random proposals for civic projects each party dreams up as a way of currying favor.  "We want to build an elevated tram to the moon. It will make us competitive in the global market and put us on the map.  And, it will only cost 1.2 billion dollars!"  They have absolutely no idea where the money is going to come from much less a plan to accrue it.  No matter. Unless ground is broken for the project immediately, it is subject to being cancelled when the political reins change hands.  In fact, guaranteed to be cancelled.

    Well, the incumbent, Liberal Premier Colin Barnett keeps his office for another four years...or until the next election is called.