Liberal and Labor set to give each other preferences

Leanne Daharja Veitch of Climate Change Action writes:

30 October 2006

Hi all,

Due to the incredibly increasing popularity of the Victorian Greens, it is looking like the Victorian Liberal and Labor parties are going to give each other their preference votes, in an attempt to crush the Greens, who stand a very real chance of winning several major seats and a balance of power.

What this means is that instead of preferences flowing to smaller parties (as per normal), preferences for the two major parties will flow to each other, thereby eliminating any competition from other parties altogether.

So if you vote Labor (Bracks) and you are in a Liberal area, your vote could end up going to the Liberal party (Ballieu). If you vote Liberal and are in a Labor area, your vote could flow to Labor.

This sort of thing is done when a third party grows strong in a two party system. The two major parties collude to crush the third option, and then it's back to 'business as usual'. It keeps the status quo, which is exactly how the major parties like it.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Be careful how you vote. Preferences make a *real* difference - this was seen in the last Victorian election when Labor preferences went to Family First, and as a result a large number of long-time Labor members resigned their membership in disgust at the deal that was done without their knowledge. Family First ended up with a seat despite very small electoral support - all on Labor preferences.

If you really care about the environment, vote Green. It's that simple. The only chance the Greens have is people voting for them *directly*.

Preferences have not yet been confirmed, and will not be confirmed until the 11th of November, but this is the talk in parliament. Last state election there was a swing towards the Greens of +8%, and this swing is set to increase substantially, according to the latest polls.

Vote Green, and make a real difference to Victorian politics.

Cheers,

Leanne Veitch