Prediction - Nat/Lib "Merger" is a Scam!

For someone who only discovered a week ago that his party is about to become defunct, Laurence Springborg looks remarkably at ease with his predicament. So, it has me wondering if Mr Springborg knew earlier than he is willing to admit (which would make Mr Vaille's position even less tenable) or (more likely) could it be that other externalities make this deal SO attractive that it can't be dismissed?

So what's the deal? My money's on a temporary or bogus union - 5 mins after the election (assuming they win), the Nat's will be allowed to reform and the faithful allowed to "demerge" from the Liberals - thus returning us to the status quo.

So why all this skullduggery? Well, for one, the current voting system in Queensland doesn't really support "aligned" parties - thanks to optional preferential voting. It has decimated the coalition's ability to win electorates, particularly when they can't help themselves by running two candidates. Equally, Labor faces the same problems when/if the Green vote is mobilised.

Of course, this simply underscores the differences between the two parties as it highlights that liberal voters don't want to preference the Nat's and visa versa (after all, optional means that it's the voters choice (not some party room deal)) - so I can imagine that living with the truth is hard.

However, I think the biggest driver for this "merger" was the announcement a couple of weeks ago that Family First would contest EVERY seat in the coming state election. "Oh dear, it's One Nation all over again!" Combine this with Optional Preferential Voting and the conservative vote will be decimated leaving the coalition in the political wilderness for another 3 years.

So, my guess at their strategy is as follows:

1. Regain power at whatever cost (in the short term - particularly federally).
2. Reform the National Party and "demerger"
3. Repeal the Optional Preferential Voting legislation
4. Stay in power forever...
   

The bottom line - they're running scared of Family First and the power that's been granted to voters by Optional Preferential Voting. Question is, will it work or will this "slight of hand" be seen for what it is ... political suicide for the Nat's!!!

Regards, Mark B