Australian Election 2010: What’s in it for me?

So … what is in it for me ? The best quote I heard surrounding this election is from a close friend who asked: would the real federal election please stand up?

There has been a lot of hearsay which has surrounded this election along with both major parties becoming a little bit too entrenched in slagging the other one off. Both have been quick to point out the others shortfalls but have almost seemed afraid to go out with a strong statement of policies or what they stand for. The third largest party down under, The Greens, have not had such a problem and have been upfront on where their party stands from the start. This may just be a liberty provided to them as they’re not in the front running to win outright and the other parties have “more” to lose, but still I know I am not alone in wondering what everyone really stands for and what the next couple of years will mean for me, my family and Australia as a whole.

Claims by Liberals is that under Labor the cost of living has gone through the roof – rent up by 16%, water up by 29%, electricity up by 34% and that the debt for Australia increases by $100,000,000 daily. These facts may be true but are they simply scare-tactics or was this compounded by the GFC which we recently went through? Claims by Labor is that Liberals are going to slash healthcare funding, remove investment from our schools and more which will in effect take Australia backwards.

So, as Australia goes to the polls RIGHT NOW it is time to make up your mind before you vote today.

Labour – Moving Australia Forward

Yes, during the GFC while jobs were lost around the world and economies crashed, Australia was kept out of recession. It is acknowledged that Australia has the lowest debt than of any major advanced economy in the world and experienced the highest growth / lowest unemployment at the time many economies were going the other way.

Labor’s plan promises that it will deliver stronger economy to create jobs, support business, protect rights at work and provide quality health & education services – to provide a sustainable Australia.

This will be through the following actions:

• Permanent tax cuts for small business
• Provision of a national broadband network
• Boost retirement spending
• Build GP Super clinics & provide training for more Doctors & nurses
• Computers into schools
• Expand trade training centres (into high schools)

(policies – http://www.alp.org.au/agenda/)

But this is the question: do you think Labor will move Australia forward or backwards or will Australia & our economy stay put? Can they pull it off?

Liberals – Stand Up For Australia. Stand Up For Action

The Action Contract from Liberal party consists of four elements which they see as doing the right thing:

• End wasteful spending
• Pay back labor’s debt
• Stop new taxes
• Stop the boats

Commentary on Economic Management From the liberal website (http://www.liberal.org.au/Issues/Economy.aspx):

“Tony Abbott and the Liberals stand for real action to end wasteful spending and real action to grow our economy. Labor, on the other hand, has turned a $20 billion surplus into record debt and has no plan to pay it back. We will continue to fight for Australian families who are paying the price for Labor’s record debt with higher interest rates and rising living costs.”

Liberals top priority is “to restore Australia’s finances” through higher productivity across four main elements – Debt reduction, stopping the waste, tax reduction & boosting participation & productivity. To review the “Strong plan for Australia – action contract” yourself – go to: (http://www.liberal.org.au/Policies.aspx?gclid=CM77lZr8xqMCFQZBbgodexjlvQ)

But do you think these guys are really standing up for action or do they not have a leg to stand on?

Greens

In 2009 the Greens “Saved Australia from recession” through supporting and improving the proposed stimulus plan which created thousands of jobs. This party consider themselves the most progressive party in Australia and at the heart of their policies is economic responsibility through the creation of a more sustainable economy.

Greens are the fastest growing party in Australia & there is a very strong possibility they the Greens will have more of a voice in Government in 2010 than ever before. So it is well worth being across their policies. Here are what their election policies are:

• Universal basic dental care
• $350million per year for mental health
• Invest in public education
• Give asylum seekers a fair go
• Climate Change – Carbon tax for polluters & creation of clean green jobs
• Forests – End their destruction & protect them for the future generations

(More details on their policies – http://greens.org.au/content/policy-initiatives-2010)

It’s been reported that last election there was 500,000 Donkey votes cast – i.e. blank votes for those like me who wasn’t familiar with the terminology!

Whatever your political alliance, please do vote. This is a freedom many take for granted but plenty of people around the world are still fighting for their right to have their voices heard.

Q: What are your thoughts? Confused over who to go for? Will you be voting on Saturday? Want to add anything I’ve missed out?

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