Federal Election November 24, 2007

News, election information, results, the 'Christian Values Checklist'... and more!

Election Results
The Australian Labor Party has won government at the federal election after 11.5 years of government by the Liberal/National Coalition government.

Salt Shakers sent an email following the announcement of the election result on Saturday evening, 24 November 2007.
The Nation has voted for change (E-News - 24//11/2007)
The document is attached below.

Australian Electoral Commission
The 'Virtual Tally Room' contains up-to-date election results for the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is continually being updated.

The Numbers:
A new era dawns for Australia with the win by Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party.

House of Representatives:
The House of Representatives has 150 Members:
83 Labor (ALP), 55 Liberal Party, 10 National Party members and 2 Independents.
Click here for Party list of MHRs.

Senate: The Senate has a total of 76 Members.
The new Senate will take effect on 1 July, 2008.
The Senate up to the end of June 2008:
Australian Greens 4; Australian Democrats 4; ALP 28; Family First 1; Liberal Party 34; National Party 4; Country Liberal Party 1.

From 1 July 2008: Australian Greens 5; ALP 32; Family First 1; Independent 1;
Liberal Party 32; National Party/CLP 5.

It appears that after July 2008 (when the new Senators take their seats) the balance of power may lie with newly-elected Nick Xenophon, the anti-pokies campaigner from SA, and Family First's Steve Fielding. The Greens could also share in the balance of power although they have not won as many seats as they hoped for. The Democrats did not win any seats.
Click here for the Senate vote on the AEC website.

Prime Minister John Howard
We recognise the dedicated service that Prime Minister John Howard and his deputy Peter Costello have given to this nation over many years, as well as others who have lost their seats. Many people have spoken of John Howard as one of Australia's greatest Prime Ministers - perhaps second only to Robert Menzies.

Peter Costello
We acknowledge Peter Costello's decision not to take on the Liberal Party leadership but to leave politics (eventually) and spend more time with his family. If you have not heard his announcement, you can hear it in his own words - on Sky News. Click here. _________________________________________________

BELOW is the information posted PRIOR to election day!

Federal Election 2007
The Prime Minister called the election on October 14, giving a six week election campaign. As Christians we have a responsibility to carefully and prayerfully consider who we will vote for - we need to assess the policies of each party as well as the character and beliefs of each candidate .

Christian Values Checklist
A Christian Values Checklist has been prepared by the Australian Christian Values Institute. Salt Shakers has been involved in developing the Checklist.
It addresses some of the moral and ethical issues that the Parties are often hesitant to talk about. There are two versions.
Colour: This version is for viewing on the web or emailing.
Black and White: This version is for printing and photocopying.
Substantiation:
A 14 page Research document substantiating the 'ticks and crosses' on the Checklist has been prepared.
Also a 1 page Brief version and explanation - to be used for printing on the back of the Checklist!

Conscience Votes:
Two of the questions in the Checklist relate to MP votes on conscience issues - RU 486 as an abortion drug and allowing the creation of human embryos by cloning to then be destroyed to extract their stem cells. We opposed both of those Bills.
See the following documents - one: a list of the voting record of Members of the House of Representatives on those bills - two: the voting record of Senators .

Opening messages
The PM launched a 33 page program for the election:
Australia: Strong, Prosperous and Secure
The Liberal Party website says "This document sets out the Howard Government's priorities and goals for Australia drawing on key prime ministerial speeches in recent years....". Click here for website.

Kevin Rudd and the ALP countered with statements calling for 'New Leadership'.
Click here for his 'Opening Statement'.

Other Christian surveys:
Festival of Light has asked all people standing for election ten questions. The questions and the individual responses of the candidates are recorded on their website. They have also recorded Party Responses. Click here.

The Australian Christian Lobby has asked all major political parties a series of 25 questions and asked them to respond. Those responses are posted on a website set up for the purpose - click here.

Our analysis of the merits and drawbacks of each of these 'surveys':
"Election Update - 3 tools towards more informed voting (E-News 8/11/2007)"

Salt Shakers Documents:
During the election campaign we have sent a number of documents on our E-News covering matters related to the election.
Voting in the federal election 2007 - Preferences and more (E-News 21/11/2007)
- how to vote - Senate preferences and Group Voting Tickets etc
Preference deals and allocating your preferences (E-News 21/11/2007)
- How and why parties make preference deals
Election Update - 3 tools towards more informed voting (E-News 8/11/2007)
- an analysis of three Christian voting guides
Overseas Aid - an election issue? - Nov 2007 [E-News - 16/11/2007]
- how much aid should governments give?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - (E-News 22/11/2007)
- Lots of 'other' checklists and surveys from a range of groups!
Election Update - Prayer focus (E-News - 19/11/2007)
- Prayer for the election, at polling places and 3 day Esther Fast and Prayer focus...
What affiliations do your candidates have? (E-News 23/11/2007)
- KNOW the beliefs and the 'worldview' of your candidates BEFORE deciding your vote. This article focuses on Julia Gillard and her involvement with EMILY's List, the Fabian Society and the Socialist Forum. Attached below.
To find out about Kevin Rudd's beliefs, read our article - click here.
Greens in the Senate? Which Party would they work closely with? (E-News 23/11/2007)

Party Policies
Each Party has their policies or platforms online. Click the Party name to go to their policy page:
CDP Policies
Democratic Labor Party
Family First Policies
Liberal Policies
Liberty and Democracy Party
Nationals Policies
ALP Policies (Policies & National Platform & Constitution 2007)
Australian Democrats Policies
Australian Greens Policies

Helpful websites for the election

Australian Electoral Commission
Official Australian government body that conducts the federal election.
* Electorates - search for your electorate
* Candidates - Get lists of candidates and their contact details
* GROUP voting 'Tickets' for the Senate - Check these before voting!
* All the details about VOTING
* The election process explained

ABC Election website
ABC site - 'Australia Votes 2007'

Antony Green's Election Guide
Election analyst - discusses seats, swings, analysis.
Part of the ABC site. Very helpful.

FederalElection.com.au
An election portal set up by iPrime (part of Channel 7).
Information, analysis, comment, media reports.