On the Bennelong byelection

Kenneth Piaggio writes: Re. “Poll Bludger: what just happened in Bennelong?“(Monday)

“By the historic standards of federal byelections, the 5% swing against the Liberals in Bennelong on Saturday lands almost exactly in the middle of the range”.
Historically, byelections do not have a sitting member contesting their seat as an endorsed candidate of their original party. There is no historical equivalent to a byelection being required because of a technicality — the dual citizenship issue — which seems to leave a degree of voter sympathy and understanding. It seems to me, in this context, a swing of 5% is highly significant. I do not think the current Government can receive any comfort from this result. 

Peter Wileman writes: Re. “Poll Bludger: what just happened in Bennelong?“(Monday)

It hasn’t taken them long, post Bennelong, to institute cuts to education and social services. What part of “democracy” do they not understand? “Demos:” The people. Not the parasitic multinationals, or the dishonest banks.