This is the ad that Gruen Nation pitched in their weekly competition. It was a strong winner, but because it now belongs to the ABC the Greens can’t show it on television. So you’ll need to watch it on the Greens site, on the ABC Youtubes, or right here!

Why am i so fascinated by the Australian election, in a year when the rest of the country is busy yawning?

i saw Alex Bhathal speak at the Greens campaign launch for Batman last night, at the Downunder Curry Cafe in Northcote. Very impressed with her dedication, passion and compassion. First and only thing that’s touched me this whole election. Alex spoke from the heart, which is such a rarity in politics.

(more after the break)

Alex reckons that if 3,500 more local voters put Greens #1 than last election, Batman will be transformed from the safest Labor seat in the country into a Greens/Labor marginal. Could make a big difference. There are some great statistical maps at the Greens Darebin site, if you like that kind of thing. No wait i’m wrong.. the stats maps are at the Tally Room site, where you can see that the southern end of Batman was bringing around 30% primary vote to Green in the last election.

i like the Greens because they’re not running away from their convictions, chasing the polls, second-guessing what people might want, whistling to any dogs in the audience, or drawing out the worst in the electorate. They stand up for what they believe in, and i like their four core principles,
= social justice,
= peace and non-violence,
= democracy and
= sustainability.

Mythbusting Refugees

This is a good video from GetUp on the issue of Boat People, who represent less than 1% of population growth, but are being demonised by both major parties.

And an interesting segment from the Today Show, where both leaders were confronted by an ad from the GetUp campaign featuring – gasp – a real live refugee person, who won an hour surfing with Mr Rabbit. i wonder how that hour will go?

Plus, an interview with a Weather Vane

.. and finally, a media treat. Last week, several bloggers listed the transcript of an interview between Laurie Oakes and Tony Rabbit, where Laurie repeatedly accuses Tony of being a “Weather Vane”. Good reading, at
= Lavartus Prodeo
= Hoyden about Town

including classic quotes like:

LO: They say people change their minds, but you change yours a lot for someone who wants to be Prime Minister.

…
TA: The point is that I have been absolutely crystal clear…

LO: About changing your mind?

———————

Postscript: Alex Bhathal achieved her goal and pipped the Liberals in Batman, which is now a Labor / Greens electorate. Yes Martin Ferguson still won (Labor), but his margin went down by around 17%.