The Australian Liberal Democrats

One of the parties that won a Senate seat, the Australian Liberal Democrats, is a libertarian party, which is cool. But how did they win? Did they get just 200 or so votes like some parties?

News.com.au reports:

The party attracted an avalanche of votes after fluking first position on the ballot paper.

“I didn’t design the system,” a defiant Mr Leyonhjelm said.

Their Senate voting system really is quite busted when random ballot listing order determines if you make it. They got a staggering 280,000 first preferences!

He said Tony Abbott faces challenges to some of his landmark policies.

“We wouldn’t stop him from getting rid of the carbon tax,” he said.

“But when it comes to his big spending plans he may be in trouble, such as direct action on climate change and his paid parental leave – he won’t be getting any support from us.

“We would much rather have tax cuts.”

Mr Leyonhjelm described his party as libertarian and said it advocated less government control, assisted suicide, a flat 20 per cent income tax rate and giving people right to carry concealed weapons for their personal safety.

One could do with more Senators like that!