Democrats doomed...

Just looking over an old transcript from 'Enough Rope' featuring Natasha Stott-Despoja. It triggered me to think about what the senate will look like after the next election, and how her party will fare. Looking at the AEC figures for the Senate at the 2004 election, I can't see the Democrats returning 4 senators given recent performances.

In QLD alone, the Democrats recieved approximately 40,000 seats - significantly less than Family First and The Greens - both who have enjoyed increasing media profiles since 2004. In QLD we can expect to see Labor and Liberals managing 2 seats each, with the Nationals recieving at least one due to Barnaby Joyce's performance. The leftovers will see either a minor party win, or another Liberal senator.

Given the dramatic loss of public support and media attention, it will be difficult for the Democrats to return any senators apart from Natasha Stott Despoja. The Greens seem to be the biggest benefactor from the Democrat capitulation, and Family First seems to be the most likely source to take over the second minor party tag in the senate...

Time will tell if Steve Fielding has done enough to raise the profile of Family First in conservative QLD to win a senate seat.