The Day After

Today is the day after the *big election* - the day that "The Monk" and/or "Julia" thought they were going to be basking in the glory of victory.

Instead neither of them is able to claim it - just yet. The good news is that most of the anti-government swing went to the Greens. In counting so far the Blues got a measly 1.8% of it.

So much for the authentic qualities of the Monk - and the persuasive powers of Rupert's newspapers. Australia has spoken and expressed its distaste for both the major political parties.

The real winners are the people - but it will take another 3 years or so for that to become apparent.

My fervent hope is that Labor does not try to form a new Government. Julia needs to be strong enough to walk away. Take a holiday girl and go explore the world - you will be a better person for it.

And my expectation is that the Liberals will go for it and do deals with the Independents in order to "execute their mandate". Clearly they were "born to rule" - let them go do it.

Because "execute" it will be. Australia's next Government will have at least two impediments. Firstly it will be seriously constrained both in the House of Reps and the Senate - and secondly it will become "pork paradise" while they are trying to keep the Independents on side. Good if you happen to live in one of the Independent's electorates - and bad if you don't.

All of which means that the majority of "voters" will be even more pissed off at the next election. And the blues are not endowed with a lot of front bench quality are they?

So Julia, please pass the baton. Let the Monk have it and let’s all sit back and watch them try to cope. It will be hilarious.