On Saturday, the Australian public clearly delivered their verdict on what form of government will wield power in the House of Representatives. The Coalition romped home with an absolute majority of seats.
At this same election, the form to be taken in the upper house - the Senate - is far from clear. It will be days before the redistribution of votes from losing candidate parties or individuals will present the final picture, but it looks like the balance of power will be in the hands of perhaps seven Senators - representing various forms of " Independents ".
This balance is likely to include the Liberal Democrats, the Motoring Enthusiast party, Family First, the Australian Sports party, two from the Palmer United party - and possible another independent from South Australia.
It seems that we are back to the sort of " horse trading " that marred the last parliament in the lower house. There, the swing vote was in the hands of a small number of independents who mercilessly extorted money for projects in their home electorates in exchange for their vote on issues important to the government.
It will be just too tempting for those Senators representing parties that drew a minuscule portion of the overall vote to trade their support on major issues for agreement to their personal wish list.
Probably, the first major clash will come over legislation to abolish the carbon tax. The coalition rightfully claim a mandate because this was clearly a part of the policy they took to the voters, but both Labor and the Greens are likely to unite in opposition.
This new cabal of independent Senators will need to think long and hard before voting down the policies the Coalition took to the people. Tony Abbott has clearly signalled that he will not retreat from using a double disillusion of both houses of parliament and take the decision back to the people.
Hopefully, common sense may restore the Senate to it's rightful role - as a house of review. It is a " State's House " tasked with keeping a balance between the interests of both the big and small states that make up the Australian Federation.
The place for " politics " is usually concentrated in the lower house where legislation to take Australia forward usually originates. The Senate was never envisaged as a " rubber stamp " to be applied along strictly political lines, but it was also never envisaged as a " political machine " to block legislation purely along the lines of it's political make-up.
A number of new Senators are about to experience a reviewing role bestowed on them by the voters of Australia. It is hoped that they will use their power wisely and advance the prospects of this country to deliver an ever improving way of life to it's citizens.
They need to be aware that with the title of " Senator " comes a responsibility to act in the best interests of this nation - and not indulge in pure pursuit of political ideology !
Conventional wisdom has it that the lower house is the abode of " politicians ". - but the Senate is the place of " Statesmen " !
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