How do you choose who to vote for?

[lurker17260]

I'm just curious as there seems to be a total fixation with just the leaders atm.

The poll boxes are too small so here are the options in full:

1. my local candidates, based on what he/she can do/has done in my community

2. the party I like best

3. the leader of the party, even though their name (probably) isn't be on my ballot paper?

[newstart2380]

Newstart as Karen has said in another thread & which I agree with, you don't find a general aggression amongst ALP supporters in terms of getting abusive.  By comparison LNP seem to generate such a divisive style themselves that it seems many who subscribe to their principals of robbing the poor to subsidise the rich, simply follow the leader.  Literally. 

We're Aussies first and foremost and what's good for the Nation should be the order of the day...it hasn't been for years now & Abbott is largely responsible. 

Take the refugee issue for instance.....Stop the Boats?  not unless you can stop the wars....and just take for instance the BIPARTISANSHIP displayed by both sides back in the '70's when they mutually solved a much BIGGER humanitarian crisis by simply working together.  JMO  Not having a go.  Abbott & Gillard could learn a lot from Fraser & Whitlam.

I do agree with some of what you have posted but how can you blame TA for the way Australia has gone down hill, Labor has had years to get things right and keep this countries borders safe BUT what ever they have done has not worked. I can remember Darwin Harbour when JH was our leader and there was not one boat in the harbour when we visited. There had not been a boat for months, I am very sympathetic to these poor people (well not so poor money wise because they spend a fortune getting here) and we should help but this influx must be stopped at the source. I don't fully agree with either party completely but I cannot in all honesty vote for someone who has lied over and over and also treated some of her own party like she has done.

[freakiness]

It depends on the election issues at the time.

I will vote for the NBN this time because it's a game changer and not a short term election cycle vote winning policy....  then there is Gonski and NDIS to consider.

[freakiness]

. 

But I can be swayed by a good leader and have voted Liberal in past NSW state elections because that person had vision.

If Malcolm was in opposition I'd be very tempted to vote Liberal this year. His core values I admire, he is charismatic and I am concerned about another hung parliament.

.

He is not as sweet and honest as he claims. While he was talking about politicians needing to get honest he goes on to tells lies about the NBN and Mike Quigley.

Yes, I'm a Quigley defender. He has earnt respect not the contempt Turnbull has flung his way.

[cueperkins]

"Labor has had years to get things right and keep this countries borders safe" 

Sorry safe from what?  Australia's legal humanitarian obligations?...they're not criminals - that's just what Tony likes to portray them as.

Did you happen to see an illuminating series called "Go Back where you came from".? 

If not, you should just open your mind to the other side of the story & watch that series on DVD....I think you'll be blown away at what some of these so called 'queue jumpers' are subjected to in camps and fleeing from their countries under threat of death.

The fact that there IS NO queue, doesn't seem to change the debate.  Obviously the problem is that we take years to process refugee applications until it's signed in triplicate, sent in, sent back, queried, lost, found, subjected to public inquiry, lost again, and finally buried in soft peat for three months and recycled as firelighters

[icyfroth]

I vote to keep the libs out, frightening to think that Tony Abbott could one day become leader, and embarrassing.

I think Ms Gillard would a hard act to follow re embarrassment. Her escapades have actually served to make Mr Abbott a good-looking alternative.

[newstart2380]

"Labor has had years to get things right and keep this countries borders safe" 

Sorry safe from what?  Australia's legal humanitarian obligations?...they're not criminals - that's just what Tony likes to portray them as.

Did you happen to see an illuminating series called "Go Back where you came from".? 

If not, you should just open your mind to the other side of the story & watch that series on DVD....I think you'll be blown away at what some of these so called 'queue jumpers' are subjected to in camps and fleeing from their countries under threat of death.

The fact that there IS NO queue, doesn't seem to change the debate.  Obviously the problem is that we take years to process refugee applications until it's signed in triplicate, sent in, sent back, queried, lost, found, subjected to public inquiry, lost again, and finally buried in soft peat for three months and recycled as firelighters

Safe from criminals offloading desperate people onto our shores (if they are lucky enough to make it alive), these people are told it is a land of milk and honey and you can get work anywhere. If boats have to be turned back so the criminals "get the message" sobeit, as tough as that is to swallow this will deter and eventually these criminals may stop filling up the boats and bringing innocent naïve people here. We do not have the places to process them and they live in appalling conditions not one of us would like to suffer. It may not be much better than where they came from and some have already volunteered to return to their homes. Is there a solution ? not a short term one but the government of the day must start somewhere and get back to how it was when JH was our PM. He was tough but it worked. 

What would you suggest is the solution because you are obviously very passionate about this subject, give us your thoughts. 

[cueperkins]

I wouldn't disagree with your sentiments based on her track record pyblicly icy, but it still wouldn't make me vote for Abbott.  Surely LNP can do better than that? & I'm not talking Joe Hockey either.

[cueperkins]

Newstart, no offense, but that's just another generalisation.  Stop listening to the propaganda and look into the issue without preconceptions.  I've known many refugees that have come to this country from decades past where they too were demonised as 'criminal elements'.   It's not a new thing, but these days it seems to be a blood sport.  They've since become part of this country and nothing happened.....No revolutions. 

Meanwhile other countries are housing literally hundreds of thousands of those same refugees in camps.  We have a very very small issue compared with other countries who don't make it into a political football.  It's seriously embarrassing on the world stage.  JMO

[monman12]

Gimmeeee gimme gimmee, hip pocket massage,  greener grass and more of it.

I will happily read suggestions for yet more social welfare, but will only  consider them with costings,  which like the political parties are sadly lacking here.

Come an election the paddock is filled with sheep/goats bleating for more, or  the cycloptic sheep/goats putting on eye patches !.
I live in a "safe seat" which is rather depressing, almost as much as talking to someone who only votes for party A or B.
So with months to go might I suggest, dental (taxpayer subsidised) plans might not be so necessary, or at least be affordable  if consumption of "hunny" was reduced, some chance!

[newstart2380]

Sorry to have to correct you, I did not call the refugees criminal, I called the people who own the boats and bring them here charging them s - - - loads of money the criminals. They are the ones that have to be stopped. I agree we do have to take our fair share of refugees as do other countries, just what is the solution you would suggest ????????????