The dying days of the Fourth Reich: it's the 2007 AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION

But they go round starting wars and banning same-sex marriage so who knows what goes through their heads.

It must be love.

If Labor wins this, the highest Coalition position in the entire country will be the lord mayor of Brisbane.

I want to see Howard cry.

Both National and Liberal are very SOCIALLY conservative (anti-immigrant, anti-gay, anti-"socialism"), but fairly different economically (Liberals are are free market and globalisation, while Nationals are about protectionism so that Aussie farmers can compete against the US, the Third World, etc), so there are differences that stop them uniting.

The ABC is calling a loss in Bennelong.

Ned, that means John Howard is losing his own seat. In Aus history only one prime minister has ever lost his seat whilst in office.

I could cry, I'm so happy right now.

Okay all the background cheers and yelps are hilarious.

"Preferences..swings...Labor...Coalition...candidates --"

"WHEE WOW OMG! YAY!"

Yeah I caught that about Bennelong. Hilarity!

Early days though. I know it looks great but there's a long way to go.

xpost haha yeah I'm loving that.

Greens are getting hammered here, Democrats will be obliterated - no other way for Labout to win this.

Labour.

ABC's website has Labor (got it right!) 20 seats up!

+5% swing to Labor on the primary vote.

The Lib flack talking now is kinda weird. Did he just say 'tree-huggers'?

Which one are you on, Ned?

ABC audio. I think it was the Agriculture Minister.

Weird, I didn't hear it, but then I'm all a-tizz.

Oh you're on ABC radio, duh me.

For the record, our ABC is very much like the UK's BBC, if that helps. Probably the most impartial service we have.

Right, I figured. Works for me!

this is exciting!

"they know who i am"

Bennelong watch: http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/benn.htm

Channel 9 is giving both Eden-Monaro and Bennelong to Labor and reckon Labor only need 3 more seats to take Government.

Always nice when the election is decided before polling booths close in WA.
</sarcasm>

concerted tactical voting effort in bennelong to oust howard, with the -10% green swing.

Yes! I noticed that.

LOL - Jackie Kelly talking up the postal votes for Bennelong. They'll save you!

yes, "where the postal votes are coming from".. la-la land?

Antony Green is all but calling it for Labor isn't he? Exciting times!

Pretty much. He's hesitant though.

The swing is definitely on though.

countdown to howard's face looking like a pool of vomit begins

xxp

ugly split inf. sorry

Oooh big picture calling on ABC

5.4% swing to Labor!! 71 to 50 seats

OK well he's 'officially' predicting a majority of 16 seats to ALP now. I reckon Kezza can probably barely contain his excitement.

Peter Garrett speaks! (On the radio at least.) I keep expecting him to sing.

ALP gaining 15 seats, Coalition gaining NONE. NONE. NONE. NONE. FUCKING NONE.

"Government...Turnbull...information...results...WHOOAAA OOAAA OAAA THE DEAD HEARRRRRRRT...oops sorry."

I think I love this country again.

We still get that Ned :)

Garrett has been a knob during the campaign, ALP's swing owes nothing to him. He should have stayed in the rock biz.

Garrett re: pulp mill: "Positive affirmation of Labor's environmental policies, Green preferences, uh yeah!"

If Maxine wins I am WRITING MYSELF OFF TONIGHT oh yeah

Did I tell you guys about the guy who came running out of the polling booth room after rob went in, and he was gleefully singing "ITS TIIIIME! yee heee!" then he clapped his hands in joy and jumped into a van and drove off. Fucking awesome.

The Virtual Tally Room is exciments! I'm watching it listening to DMXKrew and drinking cider.

Some strange woman now. Apparently a hesitant Lib person. "I'm not saying this is at all uh..........changing, uh..."

So Penny Wong then. (Good speaking voice, I'd say.)

I've finished one bottle of wine. Time to uncork another....

Yeah, some Labor person, I can't remember what she does.

xpost

nasty monty ruddock is back in berowra booooo

Penny Wong is a great speaker usually... she's a SA Labor senator I think