Without entering the online V8 Central debate, I have now voted by post, as appropriate for an elderly person.
I have been very, VERY unimpressed with schoolboy standard (sorry schoolperson) alleged debating and rhetoric for BOTH PM candidates (and by the media shouting rabble at press conferences).
Fortunately neither of them are contesting my electorate.
Parties are paid from the taxpayer money pool only (or so I understand) if they get a certain percentage of the primary vote.
As per usual practice, I gave my primary vote to a candidate that has absolutely no chance of reaching that threshold, thus keeping the taxpayer dollars with the Government, then voted for my choice who wont get the cash handout.
On examination, I surmised that my individual vote, either way, would have negligible effect in a seat wit a 7.4% margin.
Then I looked at the Senate. There are 6 seats up for grabs and the ALP and LNP will each each easily get 2 of the first 4.The fifth seat will probably go to the Greens.
so, in reality, the only seat that I can meaningfully influence is the sixth seat.
Chances are, this will be contested by the LNP third candidate, PHON and UAP and that trio order is where I cast my meaningful vote.
It is interesting that electors need only vote for 6 groups or parties above the line, so many votes will have been extinguished before it gets to the sixth seat contest.
PS: The PHON candidate is Pauline herself.
The UAP candidate is Clive himself.
PPS: I am not a fan of Clive but it would be much more interesting for the next years of my life if Clive sits in the Senate with a minority government in the House of Reps.
PPPS (or whatever): The Senate is where it gets REALLY interesting. The House of Re[ps will still be hamstring regardless of whether Tweedledumb or Tweedle-even-Dumber is the PM>
