THE decision by the Fishing Party and Pauline Hanson to run at next week’s election can only benefit the Greens.
At worst the decision could deliver the Greens an extra seat and the balance of power in the Upper House to hold Government to ransom as they are now doing in Canberra. It is imperative that every elector considers the consequences of their vote next weekend,especially in the Upper House.
In the Upper House thereare 42 members, 21 of which are elected each four years.
Currently, the ALP has 19 seats, the Coalition 15, the Greens 4, Shooters and Fishers 2, and the Christian Democrats and Family First have 1 each.
Next Saturday 10 ALP, 7 Coalition, 2 Greens, 1 Shooters and Fishers and 1 Family First member are seeking re-election.
On current polling the Coalition is expected to win 10 seats, the ALP 6, the Greens 3, and the Shooters and Fishers and the Christian Democrats 1 each.
However, the polling was done before the Fishing Party and Pauline Hanson announced they were contesting the Upper House.
While it is unlikely either of them will win a quota, and therefore be elected, they will damage the conservative vote, and in particular, may prevent the Coalition from winning their vitally important 10th seat.
With Labor directing preferences to the Greens in the Upper House, they have effectively conceded defeat for themselves, but are trying to ensure that the Greens pick up an extra seat.
Should this happen, the House makeup would be Labor/Green 21 seats, Liberal/Nationals 17,Shooters and Fishers 2 and Christian Democrats 2.
This means that with the Coalition expected to easily win the Lower House, they will have to then deal with Labor/Greens in a hostile Upper House, and NSW will be in the same position as we have Federally.
If the Greens do not win that last seat and it goes to the Coalition, or Shooters and Fishers, it would give the Coalition a mandate in both Houses, and avoid being held to ransom by the Greens and their social engineering agenda.
