Voting day !

Today all Australians over eighteen years of age will stream into voting booths and elect the next Federal government. The choice will be between a sitting Conservative government - which is seeking a fifth term - and a Socialist government which has been out of office for twelve years.

By tradition each side of politics is usually afforded several terms in office. Opinion polls indicate a likely change as the Socialists have a charismatic new leader.

Conservative governments are usually big of fiscal management and create a strong economy, but they are slow to implement social change. By contrast Socialist governments tend to adopt a " tax and spend " philosophy. They implement social benefits, but usually amass debt and create economic obstacles.

One unusual factor of this election is the preponderance of ex-union leaders in the makeup of the Socialist candidates. Union endorsement has increased slowly over many years and now non-union sitting members are being disendorsed to make way for union heavyweights.

This will be a crucial factor in voter's minds. The Conservative government has implemented an industrial relations policy that has removed the draconian " unfair dismissal " laws that made employers reluctant to enlarge the workforce. This restored the right to " hire and fire " as market conditions changed.
The new law also allowed workers to " cash in " award conditions such as holidays and penalty payments for a fatter pay cheque - but at the same time these decreased the bargaining power of the young and powerless.

By late evening any shift should become evident as the figures are put on the board in the tally room. Whatever the outcome in the lower house all eyes will be on the results in the Senate. At present, the sitting Conservative government has a Senate majority - but there is a strong chance that the balance of power may be held by the Greens or other minor parties when all the votes are counted.

It will be a historic day for the Australian voters. Their decision will colour the type of government that will set the agenda during the difficult times ahead !