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Yep. Though you have obviously worked out ways to game the system. It's happening more and more. For example, in Victoria, a group of five libertarian aligned

Yep. Though you have obviously worked out ways to game the system. It's happening more and more. For example, in Victoria, a group of five libertarian aligned micro-group parties (headed up by the Liberal Democrats) didn't lodge their GVT, meaning you now can't vote for them above the line. As most (95%) of people vote above, that's wiped them out in Victoria. But here's the realpolitik: they had organized a straight preference swap deal nationally with the Australian Sex Party, which had a chance of making quota (aka winning a spot) with the help of the preferences in Victoria. It's less likely now in that state. But the Sex Party has lodged its preferences in Victoria and other states with flows to the Lib-Dems. It means the Lib-Dems can avoid helping the Sex Party win a Victorian spot (and possibly balance of power in the Senate) but maybe win its own spot in other states (and also, balance of power). It is complicated and strategy matters big time.

aspensmonster 13y ago
Oooohhhh that is devious. So the Australian Sex Party is trying to break into the Senate and have a say nationally. Their best bet on securing a seat is in Victoria. With the aid of preferences in Victoria from that small group of libertarian-minded parties, that was feasible. In return, the Libertarian bloc got preferences nationally; maybe they'll win, maybe they won't. But they've got a shot. All gravy, right? Well, actually, the Sex party also had preferences nationally with the Liberal Democrats (whether the Lib-Dems were above or below the Libertarian bloc in those preferences is irrelevant, as we'll soon see). And it just so happens that the Libertarian bloc --that the Sex party is counting on to get their seat in Victoria-- had substantial backing from the Lib-Dems. By hook or by crook (hint: crook), the Lib-Dems utilize their influence over that libertarian bloc and stop the GVT from getting lodged. Now they get to keep the Sex party's preferences flowing to them, while not having to worry about the Sex party actually gaining a seat at all! Even the threat of the remaining libertarian preferences to them in other states is minimal; they've likely got better backing from other parties anyway. http://i.imgur.com/s2zg1qc.jpg http://i.imgur.com/s2zg1qc.jpg
- caf 13y ago
  Even better, most of that "Libertarian Bloc" are actually just front parties for the LDP.

aspensmonster 13y ago

Oooohhhh that is devious. So the Australian Sex Party is trying to break into the Senate and have a say nationally. Their best bet on securing a seat is in Victoria. With the aid of preferences in Victoria from that small group of libertarian-minded parties, that was feasible. In return, the Libertarian bloc got preferences nationally; maybe they'll win, maybe they won't. But they've got a shot. All gravy, right? Well, actually, the Sex party also had preferences nationally with the Liberal Democrats (whether the Lib-Dems were above or below the Libertarian bloc in those preferences is irrelevant, as we'll soon see). And it just so happens that the Libertarian bloc --that the Sex party is counting on to get their seat in Victoria-- had substantial backing from the Lib-Dems. By hook or by crook (hint: crook), the Lib-Dems utilize their influence over that libertarian bloc and stop the GVT from getting lodged. Now they get to keep the Sex party's preferences flowing to them, while not having to worry about the Sex party actually gaining a seat at all! Even the threat of the remaining libertarian preferences to them in other states is minimal; they've likely got better backing from other parties anyway. http://i.imgur.com/s2zg1qc.jpg http://i.imgur.com/s2zg1qc.jpg

caf 13y ago
Even better, most of that "Libertarian Bloc" are actually just front parties for the LDP.