Dems Win

The world’s most powerful democracy went to the polls yesterday to elect a new House of Representatives and a third of its Senate. As the majority of the counting concluded in the early hours of this morning, the Democrats had emerged as the big winners and the big theme of the election was one of change. In the 2002, Bush’s Republican Party gained control of both houses, and has wielded unchecked power for 4 years. Disillusioned citizens sent a clear message that they disliked the way this power was being used, returning the House to the Dems (229-196 with 10 undecided) and possibly the senate too (50 – 49 with 1 undecided).

In the end, the Republicans were undone not only by their faltering war in Iraq, but also a raft of corruption and sex scandals that plagued many of their representatives. Ultimately, control of both Houses made some Republicans complacent and greedy and certainly allowed Bush free reign to dig a deeper and deeper hole in Iraq. The wake-up call that this election brings comes too late for the ousted senators and representatives, but should have Howard and his Liberals looking nervously back over the missteps of their fourth term.

Since our the Liberals took control of both Houses of our government, it has continued to privatise Telstra, enacted controversial workplace reforms, abolished compulsory student unionism, made it easier for media barons to control large swaths of the media and over-ruled an ACT same-sex unions law. The Liberals have also committed troops to Iraq and have been stained by Australian Wheat Board bribery scandal. Most recently, Howard’s government has maintained its stance on refusing to combat Climate Change by ignoring the Kyoto Protocol and pandering to the coal lobbies.

When you look at it that way, it’s been a torrid 2 years, during which a lot of questionable legislation has been pushed through. Come next election, it is my great hope that Australians acknowledge the value of senate oversight, and perhaps even decide that we too are in need of sweeping change in our government.