Julian Assange's Senate Bid and new political party

[Blue and Silver]

Assange to contest Senate election

Important Parts:

Mr Assange said plans to register an Australian WikiLeaks party were ''significantly advanced''. He indicated he would be a Senate candidate, and added that "a number of very worthy people admired by the Australian public" have indicated their availability to stand for election on a party ticket.

Mr Assange said he is able to fulfil the requirements to register as an overseas elector in either New South Wales or Victoria and that he will shortly take a "strategic decision" about which state he would be a Senate candidate for.

He said a WikiLeaks party would advance WikiLeaks' objectives of promoting openness in government and politics, and it would combat growing intrusions on individual privacy.

It is understood Mr Assange has consulted WikiLeaks supporters, including several prominent journalists and legal figures, since he indicated his intention to explore a Senate candidacy eight months ago.

What are the thoughts on Assange's chances, his party's platform and how it would affect the landscape?

 

[rayven]

What are the thoughts on Assange's chances, his party's platform and how it would affect the landscape?

Greens could get this guy in, easily.

 

[Admiral Byng]

Is there a rule about needing to be resident in Australia, or handing in your nomination form in person, in Australia?

If not, there should be...

 

[LouisCK]

Great idea if he managed to pull it off. Would love to have an advocate in there regarding privacy and accountability.

Wouldn't want him to get too powerful though.

 

[Dorval6]

Wonder just how much he actually has in common with the Greens? He's basically a libertarian and with his advocacy of free speech I can't see him supporting Finkelstein too much!

 

[LouisCK]

Yeah he's leaning towards Anarchy, Greens are Socialist Democratic, they don't really mix even though they have one or two issues they're perfectly aligned on.

Thing is, if his party is a one-issue party, then the Greens will love him because his position is close to theirs. But if he's promoting ALL of his beliefs about state interference etc. they won't go near him.

 

[The_Reaper]

Is he planning to run from Equador?

 

[Dry Rot]

What are the thoughts on Assange's chances,

Bugger all. See Garrett's 1980's tilt.

his party's platform

Interesting

how it would affect the landscape?

Bugger all

 

[Mofra]

If he does get in, Senate Estimates committee time will be fascinating, especially if he gets the chance to grill the OAIC (which he would be chomping at the bit for).

 

[Admiral Byng]

If there were outstanding allegations of rape against any current sitting member of parliament this board would be awash with threads for that person to resign. Yet some people want this bloke in parliament?

 

[LouisCK]

If there were outstanding allegations of rape against any current sitting member of parliament this board would be awash with threads for that person to resign. Yet some people want this bloke in parliament?

There's no allegation against Julian Assange. He's only wanted for questioning.

 

[Admiral Byng]

There's no allegation against Julian Assange. He's only wanted for questioning.

There are allegations, two women in Sweden have made complaints to the police. They have not been withdrawn.

 

[LouisCK]

No credible accusation then.

 

[Admiral Byng]

No credible accusation then.

The Swedish legal system gets to make that call.

I don't think he should stand for election with these issues unresolved. Look at all the fuss that was made about the Senator that got charged with shop-lifting, FFS. I don't think he is doing this for the good of the nation, I think he is doing this for the good of Julian Assange hoping that it affords him some extra protection or immunity from extradition and prosecution. I think he should go to Sweden and clear his name first, and only then should he consider standing for election.

 

[Gough]

We probably don't need any more narcissists in the Australian Parliament either.

 

[skipper kelly]

We probably don't need any more narcissists in the Australian Parliament either.

The place would be empty without them.

 

[LouisCK]

The Swedish legal system gets to make that call.

Not for now it doesn't.

I don't think he should stand for election with these issues unresolved. Look at all the fuss that was made about the Senator that got charged with shop-lifting, FFS. I don't think he is doing this for the good of the nation, I think he is doing this for the good of Julian Assange hoping that it affords him some extra protection or immunity from extradition and prosecution. I think he should go to Sweden and clear his name first, and only then should he consider standing for election.

Ok, fair enough that is what you think. I think the opposite. Based on what we've seen the allegations (see I learned) look to be complete horseshit and an excuse for Assange to be sent to the USA to be tortured for a while before disappearing.

Contrast that with the fact he's done more for transparency in government than any politician in the world over the last 100 years, and I think the benefit of having him greatly outweighs any tabloid style faux-outrage.

 

[Fire]

If there were outstanding allegations of rape against any current sitting member of parliament this board would be awash with threads for that person to resign. Yet some people want this bloke in parliament?

It's not actually for rape though, or is it?

 

[Footy Smarts]

He'd have to run in NSW I would've thought.

It wouldn't surprise me if he managed to snag 5% of the vote but any more is a big stretch. Unless he can massively harness preferences, which looks impossible, he won't be able to damage the Green vote enough in Victoria to move above them.

NSW is a bit different as the Greens have a lower first preference vote and also tend towards the more communistic and even anarchistic elements of the party. I'd say he's more likely to cannibalise the Green vote there than in VIC and he's got less votes to make up to put him in front of them on preferences.

It's still a massive long shot though. Would becoming a member of the Australian parliament grant him diplomatic immunity in Britain?

 

[Admiral Byng]

It's not actually for rape though, or is it?

Yes. The court in England that ruled for his extradition said in that judgement that at least one of the alleged incidents would amount to rape under English law, and in most other European jurisdictions.

 

[Belnakor]

It wouldn't surprise me if he managed to snag 5% of the vote but any more is a big stretch.

discussed this in another thread, he wouldn't get within a bulls roar of 5%

 

[Slax]

We probably don't need any more narcissists in the Australian Parliament either.

I thought that it was a prerequist to get in these days

 

[Footy Smarts]

discussed this in another thread, he wouldn't get within a bulls roar of 5%

5% might be optimistic but I think he'd be a good chance of getting 4th in NSW. The 4th placed party last time was the Shooters and Fishers with 2.33%. There's a fair bit of support in the community for him. It would take a minor miracle but I think his 1st preference vote might surprise some people since he's not from a major party and he's a name people know. That's immediately far better than most people on the Senate ticket.