Election Debut & Pregnancy Update

Saturday was the NSW State Election; the first Australian election in which I am eligible* to vote. Gillian and I went to one of our local polling stations (Lane Cove Public [Primary] School) late in the afternoon; which turns out to be a good time to vote as most people seem to go in the mornings. It meant we were easily outnumbered by the many representatives of the various parties and candidates, handing out their 'how to vote' cards; and it really isn't just "put a X in the box".

*required: voting is compulsory.

"How to vote" cards from the three main parties and an independent

You have to vote for the NSW Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House). 

You don't just choose who to vote for - you choose candidates in order of preference. And there's two ways to do it:

1. The easy way.

"Above the line" on the ballot paper, put a "1" next to your party of choice. That party will then allocate preferences for you, according to what they want to do.

2. The hard way.

"Below the line", number each candidate in order of preference, from 1-15 (1-5 for Legislative Assembly). You MUST enter the correct number of preferences or it doesn't count. 

Obviously voting 'below the line' requires a reasonable amount of knowledge about the candidates/parties and their policies.... and also avoids the parties playing politics with your preferences if you vote above the line (ie. giving your preferences to minor parties to keep out their main competitors). Some of these parties include the Shooters and Fishers Party (not to be confused with the Fishers Party) and of course the No Parking Meters Party.

Exercising my democratic right responsibility

The ballot paper for the NSW Legislative Council (the Upper House)

Both ballot papers. If only it was Dunny-on-the-Wold.

Confused? 

Here is preferential voting explained - using Game of Thrones:

So the NSW Liberal-National Coalition retained government (despite a 9% swing to Labor), with a 53-34 majority, after preferences. Labor had been destroyed at the last election, so it was virtually impossible for them to win this time around.

In our electorate of Lane Cove, the Liberal candidate won 68-32 (after preferences); a 'very safe' conservative seat.

* * * * *

The NSW Waratahs score the match winning try against the ACT Brumbies at the Sydney Football Stadium, last Sunday

The Waratahs training on a very wet Tuesday afternoon at Newington

* * * * *

Pregnancy Update:

Still pregnant.