At this election there are an unprecedented number of candidates standing, particularly for the six Senate vacancies. In fact there are 529 candidates for the 40 Senate vacancies being six in each State plus the four in the two Territories. These are broken down as follows: NSW - no. of candidates - 110 QLD - no. of candidates - 82 SA - no. of candidates - 73 TAS - no. of candidates - 54 VIC - no. of candidates - 97 WA - no. of candidates - 62 ACT - no. of candidates - 27 NT - no. of candidates - 24 Whilst it is excellent that so many individuals and groups are participating in the democratic process, it is important for monarchists to carefully consider the position of any individual or group that they may be inclined to vote for on the subject of a republic. I have asked a number of the political groups what their stand is but most have ignored the question or else, like the Liberal Democrats - which is a Libertarian party, have advised that they take no position on the question. If members wish to vote for a minor party or group in the hope that preferences will be directed thereafter to a major party of their choice, it will be necessary to carefully study where the preferences actually do go to. This can be done by logging onto aec.gov.au/election/who-are-the-candidates.htm For instance, in NSW, where the print size on the 1.02 metre Senate ballot paper is in a tiny 6 point font, the Palmer United Party places the Coalition or Liberal/Nationals (numbered Y on the Ballot paper) at 89 and Labor (numbered M) at 95. The Christian Democrats place the Coalition 35th and Labor 49th and One Nation (in NSW), which has two tickets - one placing the Coalition at 93 and Labor at 99 and the other the Coalition at 99 and Labor at 93. The Liberal Democrats, which are placed first on the NSW Senate ballot paper, places the Coalition at 79th and Labor at 91st respectively. It is all terribly confusing and I urge everyone to take great care in ensuring that your vote counts in the way you wish it to be and is not wasted or spoilt because preferences do not go the way you may expect them to. If you make an error, always ask for a new ballot paper. With regards Philip Benwell National Chair Australian Monarchist League
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 22:39:30 +0000
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