THE ABC’s election guru Anthony Green has defended the Australian electoral system after a poster on X complained about Labor’s disproportionate seat haul in the South Australian elections.
“Australians will tell you there’s no propaganda here then turn on the TV to watch Antony Green tell them that this sort of thing is fine,”, a poster called “Wheelreinventor” said in reference to the figures in the chart (above) that he posted.
“An electoral system that can produce this result from these preferences isn’t a democracy, it’s a corrupt joke.” Cairns News agrees and asks how a party whose primary vote fell by 2.4% can increase its seats in the Lower House.
Responding, Green disingenuously suggested that because the present electoral system has been around for a long time we should accept it.
“Mate, if you want to advocate proportional representation, fine. But we have used single member electorates for 125 years. Chucking around words like “corrupt” just feeds the crazies who think someone is suddenly stealing election. Talk about irresponsible,” Green said in response.
Wheelinventor responded: “The purpose of a system is what is does. If it’s been around 125 yrs and consistently benefits the major parties in that time, then… I think it’s irresponsible to get on TV for decades and neglect to tell people that their system is corrupt, disproportionate, and wastes votes.
“I understand how it works just fine – I’m saying that the way it works is bad and designed to perpetuate the 2 party duopoly.”
Former so-called independent politician Tony Winsdor joined the fray and sucked up to Green: “I admire your tenacity Antony in explaining how our electoral system works to those who have no idea. Education is invaluable and someone with your credibility is the right man for the job.”
The AI (Grok)-based X news update reported the following update on the SA election:
“Peter Malinauskas’s Labor secured a commanding second term, claiming at least 33 seats in the 47-seat House of Assembly for a historic majority.
“One Nation locked in two lower house seats like Robert Roylance in Hammond, leads in up to three more, and eyes at least three in the Legislative Council, siphoning votes from a Liberal Party, down to just four seats.
“The result highlights deep discontent over cost-of-living and immigration, with Labor at 37.6% primary vote boosted by preferences, while reactions range from Labor’s online critiques to praise for One Nation’s national momentum shown in recent polls.”
