Greens Launch:

The Australian Greens 'launched' their election campaign yesterday at Brisbane. Obviously Queensland is where this election is at with K. Rudd and T. Abbott spending lots of time up there as well.

The Australian Greens are facing a reduced vote following the Australian public's perception of their role in the last Federal, minority Government. The fall-out of not having a clear winner in the 2010 election will be made plain in this coming election.

So it will be very interesting to watch what Tony Windsor says on Australian Story, ABC TV 8pm tomorrow- entitled "A Voice in the Wilderness". A key Independant who helped form the patchwork that was the last federal government, he will have insights into the process of governing. Policies for Regional Australia, key infrastructure (NBN) and the Carbon Tax are all part of his legacy and perhaps his measured thoughts may help to change perceptions of incompetence that haunted the politicians of the last few years.

I was brought up with a 2 party (left/right orientation), first past the post system. But my country of origin has, since I migrated to Australia, moved to a more truly representative system. You get a patchwork of small parties leavening the major parties. Sometimes adding extreme 'colour' in terms of behaviour.

For Australians pining after the tried and true 2 party state, I hope for the sake of our environment, they also respond to Christine Milne's appeal to enable the Greens to hold the balance of power in the Federal Senate. But beware of preference flows.

As a previous older statesman, Australian Democrat Don Chipp, once remarked- Lets keep the Bastards Honest!
(PS: and where are the democrats now? Lets hope the Greens survive their brush with governing and leadership change)