h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Congrats.

When did Fb move to NZ? - in my mind's map she is/was somewhere in Australia

Hi.

Yes, Frenchbean was here in Australia; she moved to New Zealand recently. (I didn't get a chance to see her while she was here... Life's like that, I suppose.)

>>I didn't get a chance to see her while she was here<<
- a pity, that.

I have an aunt who went to NZ to live for some years when she was newly wed. They liked it so much they still talk about it at family-get-togethers. It is some 40 years ago...

I haven't been there for 20 years now. It's about time I went and had a proper look around.

Oh yes I agree you should, Ivan

As for being voteless... well to be honest if I was voting in this election I'd feel a bit of a fraud because I simply don't understand the political climate or map yet.

Did I tell you that if I'd got my act together, I could have got myself onto the electoral register? Aussies can vote here - as long as you're off the Australian register and on the NZ one. I found out the day before the rolls closed, so no time to get it organised. But next time...

In the meantime I'm watching and learning as the campaign goes on here. Unfortunately it isn't a great time to figure out the different parties, because they're all in Promise Everything and Do Nothing mode (even more than normal ) as they lure the electorate into the polling place on Novemeber 8th.

And of course this election is being overshadowed (even here) by what's going on in the US.

Hello tartaronne I was in Oz. Am now in NZ South Island. It's lovely and even after just 6 weeks I'm glad I made the move.

Fb

Maybe it's simplest to sit this election out, Fb. It's probably best to have a good look at the entire zoo before picking a favourite animal, after all.

Hmm - chimps or hippos? What do you reckon?

Pollies are the same all over the world, with only minor nuances between countries.

Yes, I'm happy to sit this one out. I don't really feel part of NZ society yet, so am not getting antsy about not having a vote.

Fb

I think chimps, somehow. Sure they're noisy, sure there'll be fruit everywhere, but at least they can't wreck things just by sitting on them.

The local election is finally over... The Greens have just announced that they will support Labor to govern the Territory for the next four years. This is the third consecutive term for Labor, a leap forward for Green politics, and a delightfully rude noise in the general direction of the Liberals. That, of course, is the main thing.

(Careful about hippos, Hapi may get upset. )

I thought Hapi was a future President of Europe.

Yet a hippo.

Well, a politician needs a thick skin - a good solid build adds a certain dignity too (just think of Helmut Kohl). An ability to swim really fast in African rivers probably wouldn't hurt either.

... did anyone call me? .... did anyone call me .. fat??

Excellent news, Ivan I hope you had a or two to celebrate?

Not fat, Hapi - never fat - you're a man, er, I mean hippo, of substance.

Fb, I have indeed had a celebratory drinkie. Now we just have to see if the arrangements work. What particularly impresses me is that the Greens will not be part of the Government as such; the Libs offered then two ministries to bribe them to support the Libs, but clearly the Greens aren't to be bought like that. So we retain a Labor government, but one that will have to consider Green views if they want to pass any legislation at all. I like this idea.

Ivan, now let me find myself a politician to sit on.

one election done up to the next

post 26yep! vote for me - I'll run the world right

What a good idea.

I am also impressed by the stand taken by your Greens, Ivan Not many parties/pollies would turn down the chance of Ministries.