{"id":48091,"date":"2019-05-16T17:25:41","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T07:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=48091"},"modified":"2022-05-02T12:41:33","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T02:41:33","slug":"standing-with-a-nervous-nation-that-still-believes-margokingston1-comments-on-independentsday-ausvotes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/standing-with-a-nervous-nation-that-still-believes-margokingston1-comments-on-independentsday-ausvotes\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing with a nervous nation that still believes: @margokingston1 comments on #IndependentsDay #AusVotes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Margo Kingston (second from left) with Coffs Harbour Climate Action Group. Photo: supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We await the people\u2019s verdict on May 18, but I\u2019m panicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should have been a landslide. A deeply divided, deeply cynical, deeply corrupt government incapable of concerted action on climate change, protecting the rorts and lurks of the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us, bereft of policy ideas or vision, is in the hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to play the blame game: a massive, hard-right media apparatus spreading poison and downplaying or lying about Labor policy; a press gallery aiding \u2014 even promoting \u2014 an outrageous image makeover by the prime minister and incapable of piercing his smug, diversionary approach to questioning; an opposition leader incapable of selling a vision, an absolute must when Labor chose a crazy-brave, big-target agenda, and a lawless Facebook-promoted fake Liberal story on imaginary death taxes\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m reliving the John Hewson experience: a big, bold, honest agenda destroyed by Paul Keating; and Trump \u2014 all word-salad salesmanship and aggression \u2014 winning in 2016. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet here we are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australia pauses…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Margo Kingston and Independent candidate for Cowper Rob Oakeshott. Photo: supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s funny, in a dark way, that Australian voters say over and over that we hate politics as usual, we hate the lies, we want politics lifted from the gutter, we want the focus on us, not political egos, we want collaboration. We say we hate growing inequality, we believe the system is corrupt, that climate change action is a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet when Labor produces a comprehensive program to enhance equality, to address climate change, fights a blatant tax-scare campaign based on four per cent of voters whose lurks the government has spent the campaign defending, we pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s happened here is that Morrison has, while in government, adopted Tony Abbott\u2019s small-target plan from opposition in 2013. Fear and scare. Lies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divisive agenda<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Make no mistake, if the government retains office, no political party will ever again be honest with the Australian people about its agenda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make no mistake, if the government retains office, moderate liberalism is dead. The hard right\u2019s amoral tactics and divisive agenda will have triumphed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will no longer be a centrist democracy. We will have moved hard right, and, as in the United States, we will be less stable and less free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And make no mistake, there will be no reforms to our democracy to make it more honest. There will be no donation overhaul, no serious national integrity commission, no truth in advertising laws, no caps on the outrageous spending by the Coalition in some seats to literally buy a win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unequal fight<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My niche this election has been in reporting and supporting quality Independent candidates in safe Coalition seats, seeking strong action on climate change and serious efforts to improve the honesty of our politics: Independents seeking to assert the central role of moderate liberalism in our nation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been an honour. In the main they are new entrants to politics, eschewing successful careers to have a go for Australia\u2019s sake. Those who are competitive have been deluged by personal attacks and massive spending by the Coalition to prevail in a grotesquely unequal fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, do Australians care enough to want to improve our politics? Saturday will tell the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I still believe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve watched United States politics for years now, horrified. I had thought the horror would never happen to us: the collapse of public ethics; the buying of politics and political decisions by big money and utterly vested interests; the demonisation of minorities; the mind-blowing inequality; the annihilation of truth; the descent of right-wing media into propaganda designed to instil fear and hatred into their audience \u2014 but it is here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

American politics will certainly have arrived if the government is re-elected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I pray Australians get it right on Saturday. If we don’t, I\u2019ll retire, again…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I still can\u2019t quite believe that a one-man marketing shill \u2014 who\u2019s hidden his team because he hasn\u2019t got one, and hasn\u2019t given voters any idea what they\u2019re voting for in the next three years \u2014 can win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I still believe Australians can pick a snake-oil salesman. I still believe voters know we\u2019re in trouble and will vote for hope and fairness. I still believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to Margo’s preferential voting explainer<\/a> and read her strategic voting guide<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic #IndependentsDay voting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

South Australia<\/strong>
#<\/s>MayoVotes<\/strong> – Vote 1 Rebekha Sharkie (MakeMayoMatter<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACT Senate<\/strong>
Vote 1 Anthony Pesec (anthonypesec<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Victoria<\/strong>
#<\/s>KooyongVotes<\/strong> – Vote 1 Oliver Yates (Oliver_Yates<\/a><\/strong>)
#<\/s>FlindersVotes<\/strong> – Vote 1 Julia Banks (juliabanksmp<\/a><\/strong>)
#<\/s>MalleeVotes<\/strong> – Vote 1 Ray Kingston (MalleeRay<\/a><\/strong>) and follow his ticket by voting 2 and 3 for indies Moar and Modica
#<\/s>IndiVotes<\/strong> – Vote 1 Helen Haines (HelenHaines1<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New South Wales <\/strong>
#<\/s>WarringahVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Zali Steggall (zalisteggall<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/s>WentworthVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Kerryn Phelps (drkerrynphelps<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/s>MackellarVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Alice Thompson (Indy_Ally<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/s>CowperVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Rob Oakeshott (RobOakeshott1<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/strong><\/s>NewEnglandVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Adam Blakester (adamblakester<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/s>LyneVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Jeremy Miller (JeremyforLyne<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/s>HumeVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Hugh Kingston (Huw4Hume<\/strong><\/a>)
#<\/s>FarrerVotes<\/strong> Vote 1 Kevin Mack (Mack4Farrer<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSW Senate
<\/strong>Vote 1 Rod Bower (FrBower<\/strong><\/a>) Group Q<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

1. I\u2019ve been honoured to meet outstanding Australians who want to SERVE their electorates & the nation. Who have responded to voters\u2019 stated desire for better politics in the interests of constituents & Oz.

Please Vote 1 for #IndependentsDay<\/a> candidates at this #ClimateElection<\/a>.<\/p>— Margo Kingston???? (@margokingston1) May 16, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>