Since the advent of the two-party preferred system, there have been two examples of parties governing effectively in minority, and with the support of independents.
Notwithstanding COVID, this political term has been framed by extreme events such as the Black Summer bushfires and floods – and it will show at the ballot box.
The treatment of women in Parliament House and Australian society more broadly has been the focus of much attention since the last election – how political leaders respond may decide their fate.
Australians brace themselves for a six-week campaign, with the Coalition starting behind Labor in the polls - but with much that can happen during the campaign.
In 1922-23, Billy Hughes’ Nationalist Party brokered a deal with the Country Party to form government - but only on condition Hughes was no longer prime minister. It’s possible this could play out again.
Election time presents teachers, parents and citizens with an opportunity to put pressure on local candidates and demand courageous policy that will improve education in ways the community needs.
The true number of people who do not favor either of the two major political parties in the US has actually remained stable in recent years.
If Labor had won on Saturday, Bill Shorten would have been the least popular party leader ever elected prime minister, according to election data.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Election data suggests the Coalition’s victory wasn’t so surprising after all – long-term trends pointed toward a Labor loss, given the various factors in play in this election.
Visualisation of election-related Twitter activity on QUT’s Sphere display.
QUT Media
Axel Bruns, Queensland University of Technology; Daniel Angus, Queensland University of Technology, and Timothy Graham, Queensland University of Technology
Analysis of tweets from the election campaign reveal two key trends: independents are organising, and embattled Liberal candidates are having to take the fight to their rivals.
Most independents’ policies fall somewhere between Labor and Liberal.
AAP/Shutterstock/The Conversation
Despite criticism of running a radical left agenda, new research shows most independents’ views are somewhere between the major parties.
Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, and Fraser Anning’s new Conservative National Party will compete for the conservative vote.
AAP/The Conversation
Voter dissatisfaction with the major parties means minor party preferences are likely to play a critical role in many seats, making the election outcome hard to predict.
The Nationals, led by Michael McCormack, are facing significant challenges in several seats.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Water management, declining standard of living and regional Australians feeling neglected have all been cited as reasons for the Nationals being on the nose electorally.
Dolly the elephant and Dottie the donkey.
AP Photo/Bob Schutz
The true number of people who do not favor either of the two major political parties in the US has actually remained stable in recent years.
Mexico’s new app makes it a snap for political independents to collect voter signatures — unless, of course, their supporters don’t have smartphones or live in rural areas without reliable internet.
Reuters
Almost 50 independents want to run for president of Mexico in 2018. But only a handful will likely make the ballot, in part due to the glitchy election app voters must use to show their support.