That line from Irving Berlins' Doin' What Comes Natur'lly totally sums up Queensland the mindset.
WARNING! I will offend in the below, most is said in the most sarcastic tone, visualise red creeping up the neck from Blood Pressure and you will get an idea. I am normally a very proud Queenslander, State of Origin being a highlight of my year and I will cop the red-neck ribbing then, but when gathered data shows that we really are a nasty, self-obsessed redneck state, I am just ashamed :(
If you are a sensitive soul or a Queenslander who honestly is not ashamed by the stats below, then I suggest you read no further.
I am ashamed to say that Queensland is the Texas of Australia and after reading ABC's Vote Compass "Battlelines: Top 20 seats where voters are most at odds on key election issues" there is no other conclusion you can come to and we rightly deserve every joke that is made about us by the rest of the nation?
Lets look at the Vote Compass questions.
Seats most in favour of this statement.
| 1.Moncrieff (QLD) 2.Maranoa (QLD) 3.Hinkler (QLD) 4.Longman (QLD) 5.Capricornia (QLD) 6.Bowman (QLD) 7.Fadden (QLD) 8.McPherson (QLD) 9.Forde (QLD) 10.Bonner (QLD) |
YES! All the top 10 were Queensland? Seriously? Have you looked at the state of our State Schools? Experienced teachers have been sacked to be replaced by Teacher graduates. The state is broke according to the Qld LNP Government that we are flogging off schools & ovals for real estate value, YET perversely the top 10 responses to this question STILL thought that state & private schools should get equal funding? Speechless! |
"Terminally ill patients should be able to legally end their own lives with medical assistance."
Thankfully this was one of the few questions where Queensland did not feature prominently? Tad bizarre though considering so many areas, like my own on the Sunshine Coast, have massive aging populations and more than our fair share of self-funded retirees?
Seats least in favour of this statement.
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Kennedy (QLD) 3.Brand (WA) 4.Canning (WA) 5.O'Connor (WA) 6.Capricornia (QLD) 7.Durack (WA) 8.Herbert (QLD) 9.Hinkler (QLD) 10.Maranoa (QLD) |
Only the intervention of WA being slightly less red neck than Queensland saved us from have a clean sweep on this question. How the hell recognising indigenous people in our constitution will hurt any of these seats is beyond me? Remember that referendum we had back in the day (voted down), obviously so do Queenslanders and nothing has changed. But hey, you obviously can't keep a good racist down here in Queensland? |
"The Commonwealth should pass laws requiring more women in senior positions."
Seats least in favour of this statement.
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Maranoa (QLD) 3.Durack (WA) 4.Capricornia (QLD) 5.O'Connor (WA) 6.Moore (WA) 7.Groom (QLD) 8.Tangney (WA) 9.Hinkler (QLD) 10.Curtin (WA) |
So... Aboriginals & Torres Strait Islanders don't feel despondent about the last question; you have the company of women there with you. Half of the top 10 don't think that we should help women get further in business either. Bloody hell, I feel for the Indigenous women in Queensland, you are double trouble and well & truly screwed in this state. |
"The federal government should put a price on carbon."
Seats least in favour of this statement.
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Flynn (QLD) 3.Fadden (QLD) 4.Capricornia (QLD) 5.Hinkler (QLD) 6.Forde (QLD) 7.Kennedy (QLD) 8.Moncrieff (QLD) 9.Wright (QLD) 10.Groom (QLD) |
WOOHOO! Queensland on fire! We have enviably one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world, including that pesky old Barrier Reef, why so many move here? YET, who cares about keeping it? Bugger a carbon tax/price whatever you want to call it nowadays, we can enjoy what we have here in Queensland at the moment, stuff our kids & their kids futures :( |
"The government should further restrict foreign ownership of Australian agricultural land."
We only barely featured here surprisingly? Considering the amount of Agricultural land being purchased for Mining, overseas Farming interests etc. I would have thought this would matter more in Queensland? Guess on the farm we are too worried about those bloody Women & Aboriginals to be concerned about losing our ability to feed ourselves to overseas interests?
"The government's parental leave pay should be the same for all working mothers."
Another where Queensland barely registered at all? Guess we don't have many working mothers here? Actually, yes we do... But, I suppose they don't matter in the minds of the electorate?
"The National Broadband Network should deliver faster speeds even if it costs more."
Seats least in favour of this statement.
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Kennedy (QLD) 3.Hinkler (QLD) 4.Groom (QLD) 5.Flynn (QLD) 6.Fadden (QLD) 7.Moncrieff (QLD) 8.Capricornia (QLD) 9.Wright (QLD) 10.O'Connor (WA) |
Bloody O'Connor (WA) snuck in there on the end to stop the Queensland clean sweep again SIGH! Seriously? Queensland with its distances & old infrastructure has crap Internet connections & speeds. Hell after a couple of floods in a row this was made patently clear to us, YET, guess what, the top 9 electorates out of the WHOLE BLOODY COUNTRY think that is ok? So not only are Queenslanders racist & bigoted, they are obviously stupid as well! |
"There should be fewer restrictions on coal seam gas exploration."
Surprisingly, we barely featured here? For a state that has a lot of resource sector business, would have thought we would have had more of an opinion on this? But hey, let's not get silly & try to work out how the 'average' Queenslander thinks?
"There should be more restrictions on 457 visas issued to temporary foreign workers."
Again, only 3 electorates featured in the IN FAVOR Of statement... With the amount of mining in the state of Queensland, would have thought a bit more interest in this question? Again, no, and no bloody idea why not?
"Trade unions have too much power in the workplace."
Only 3 electorates were IN FAVOUR of this statement. Considering the fact that the Unions are the only real opposition in this state since the last landslide election, I would have thought more of an opinion here, but then again, Newman & co are doing a wonderful job trying to knobble the Unions in this state so guess these 'average Queenslanders' just assume Unions will be non-existent when Mr Bleijie is finished with them, so no issue here?
"When there is an economic problem government spending usually makes it worse."
Seats most in favour of this statement.
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Moncrieff (QLD) 3.Flynn (QLD) 4.Barker (SA) 5.Wright (QLD) 6.Grey (SA) 7.Hinkler (QLD) 8.Fadden (QLD) 9.Kennedy (QLD) 10.Capricornia (QLD) |
Those pesky two SA seats stopped us from the clean sweep here sadly... I can only assume that average Queenslanders have actually believed the Costello Audit BS that has been peddled by our Government? Maybe like Stockholm syndrome? You hear the "previous ALP reckless spending" so many times it is burned into your brain & you believe it? Let's see how Queenslanders feel in a few years time when we are in recession due to Qld LNP austerity measures? |
"Workplace protections have gone too far."
Seats most in favour of this statement.
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Moncrieff (QLD) 3.Fadden (QLD) 4.Hinkler (QLD) 5.Barker (SA) 6.Durack (WA) 7.Wright (QLD) 8.O'Connor (WA) 9.Parkes (NSW) 10.Flynn (QLD) |
Of course they have! What workplace protections? Midnight legislation by the QLD LNP fixed up all the pesky Civic Service protections and they are working the rest of those bloody Unions, so be patient! Anyone seeing a pattern here yet in Queensland? (Besides what the hell is wrong with you Maranoa? Seriously guys, have a good hard look at yourselves) If not, you will soon. |
"Asylum seekers who arrive by boat should not be allowed to settle in Australia."
Seats most in favour of this statement.
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Kennedy (QLD) 3.Hinkler (QLD) 4.Fadden (QLD) 5.Forde (QLD) 6.Maranoa (QLD) 7.Capricornia (QLD) 8.Longman (QLD) 9.Dawson (QLD) 10.Canning (WA) |
Bloody WA, geez, could have given us the full sweep in the National racist stakes? This seriously has to be one of the most moronic stats. Queensland barely has anything to do with Asylum Seekers? We don't have an issue with large populations of them? There is no conceivable reason for the top 9 electorates in this country to think that it is cool to not allow Asylum Seekers in the door to be from Queensland? None! Therefore, I guess it is just plain old garden-variety, Queensland style racism? |
"Australia should end the monarchy and become a republic."
Seats least in favour of this statement.
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Groom (QLD) 3.Flynn (QLD) 4.Wright (QLD) 5.Parkes (NSW) 6.Capricornia (QLD) 7.Kennedy (QLD) 8.Forde (QLD) 9.Blair (QLD) 10.Fadden (QLD) |
Oh nick off Parkes, always has to be some bloody electorate stopping Queensland in this vote compass thingy from ruling... Jarrod Bleijie & Campbell Newman must be sooooo proud. All that money spent on changing justice system back to "Queens Counsels" & let's not forget lighting up the Storey Bridge & Government building in blue to celebrate the birth of the latest Royal rug rat? You people out there that can't afford your electricity bill, sorry mate, the Royals matter more than you! Queensland by overwhelming preference AND name. |
"Australia should spend more on foreign aid."
Seats least in favour of this statement.
| 1.Hinkler (QLD) 2.Flynn (QLD) 3.Kennedy (QLD) 4.Forde (QLD) 5.Maranoa (QLD) 6.Fadden (QLD) 7.Capricornia (QLD) 8.Dawson (QLD) 9.Longman (QLD) 10.Wright (QLD) |
Hinkler and similar who were whacked so badly in the Floods & are still needing a hand to this very day, will forgive to a certain degree. But the rest of them that have not been damaged by Floods? What can you say? There are other countries that may need our help? Not a hope in hell will you get squat from Queensland. Yes, what you see above is the clean sweep of self-obsessed selfishness. I won't carry on here, I seriously try not to swear on my blog & blood pressure is rising! |
"Boats carrying asylum seekers should be turned back."
Seats most in favour of this statement.
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Kennedy (QLD) 3.Hinkler (QLD) 4.Maranoa (QLD) 5.Fadden (QLD) 6.Forde (QLD) 7.Capricornia (QLD) 8.Moncrieff (QLD) 9.Dawson (QLD) 10.Canning (WA) |
SIGH! Again bloody Canning WA has to stop us in Queensland from taking the "bugger off we are full" crown. Please refer to previous asylum seeker policy... Shorter Queensland: You are not welcome! OH, unless you are a Kiwi, Pom or South African, of course YOU are. You’re white & 'like us' :( |
"How accessible should abortion services be in Australia?"
Have to admit with all the other right wing nutter stuff that Queensland seems to be famous for I am surprised we didn't really feature here? Maybe it is a mistake and they didn't really read the question properly?
"How many new immigrants should Australia admit?"
Seats least in favour of 'more'
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Kennedy (QLD) 3.Forde (QLD) 4.Hinkler (QLD) 5.Capricornia (QLD) 6.Maranoa (QLD) 7.Fowler (NSW) 8.Fadden (QLD) 9.Dawson (QLD) 10.Canning (WA) |
Again with the odd NSW & WA (Canning, I have my eye on you...) stopping a clean sweep. We desperately need your Tourism money world... Seriously, Queensland Beautiful One Day Perfect the Next JUST DON'T BLOODY STAY! |
"How much federal government funding should there be for universities?"
Seats least in favour of 'more'
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Forde (QLD) 3.Longman (QLD) 4.Maranoa (QLD) 5.Moncrieff (QLD) 6.Dickson (QLD) 7.Petrie (QLD) 8.Fadden (QLD) 9.Hinkler (QLD) 10.Groom (QLD) |
Best guess is that a dumb population is a compliant one? Nah, I can’t even bother here, refer to title of this rant... Speechless, I got nuthin! |
"How much financial support should the Commonwealth provide to the car industry?"
YAY! one we barely register in, then again, not a big car industry here so maybe I shouldn't get excited, more like Queensland not giving a rats butt because it doesn't really affect us?
"How much government regulation should there be on business?"
Seats least in favour of 'more'
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Hinkler (QLD) 3.Moncrieff (QLD) 4.Flynn (QLD) 5.Fairfax (QLD) 6.Kennedy (QLD) 7.Fadden (QLD) 8.Wide Bay (QLD) 9.O'Connor (WA) 10.Braddon (TAS) |
OOO! A different WA electorate stopping our clean sweep this time and what the hell is Tasmania doing sneaking in there? Again, I can only think this is a result of the Queensland Govt telling us all the time about how the previous ALP "unfairly burdened us with red tape" and of course the QLD LNP are so nicely allowing business to chop down, flood, toss silt in, you name it, whatever they want, as long as you can make a buck, stuff the environment, workers rights, or that pesky workplace health & safety dribble. |
"How much should the federal government do to tackle climate change?"
Seats least in favour of 'more'
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Flynn (QLD) 3.Capricornia (QLD) 4.Hinkler (QLD) 5.Kennedy (QLD) 6.Fadden (QLD) 7.Forde (QLD) 8.Groom (QLD) 9.Dawson (QLD) 10.Moncrieff (QLD) |
WOOHOO! Clean Sweep again... Climate Change? Huh? What is that? Too hard after so many questions so again, I will take the lazy way out here as this one is way beyond my limited understanding, just refer to title of this rant for further explanation. |
"How much should the government spend on defence?"
Seats most in favour of 'more'
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Flynn (QLD) 3.Kennedy (QLD) 4.Brand (WA) 5.Capricornia (QLD) 6.Hinkler (QLD) 7.Blair (QLD) 8.Longman (QLD) 9.Groom (QLD) 10.Herbert (QLD) |
I swear WA are just out to be plain obstructionist, always one that has to stop our perfect record... This is obviously a serious concern for Queensland, I mean, the odd little boat coming through from PNG Island hopping to get some medical attention is bloody scary!!! Actually, I suggest you look up where my old friend 'Maranoa' who seems to be having a star role in this Vote Compass précis actually is? That is a serious WTF! If you can answer why the likes of Maranoa would top the table on needing bloody defence, then you are a GENIUS! |
"How much tax should mining companies pay?"
Seats least in favour of 'more'
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Capricornia (QLD) 3.Moore (WA) 4.Dawson (QLD) 5.Moncrieff (QLD) 6.Forde (QLD) 7.Canning (WA) 8.Cowan (WA) 9.O'Connor (WA) 10.Pearce (WA) |
Only 50% of the top ten this time, though guess sharing that spot with WA is no surprise & pretty self-explanatory when it comes to personal interests, will give them that one without trashing as is obviously human nature not to bite the hand that feeds you. |
"Live animal exports should be banned."
Only 4 here saying they are LEAST IN FAVOUR with that statement, surprising not more, but hey, at least the 4 were cattle producing areas, reasonable expectation there.
"Marriage should only be between a man and a woman."
Seats most in favour of this statement
| 1.Maranoa (QLD) 2.Hinkler (QLD) 3.Groom (QLD) 4.Flynn (QLD) 5.Kennedy (QLD) 6.Parkes (NSW) 7.New England (NSW) 8.Capricornia (QLD) 9.Grey (SA) 10.Greenway (NSW) |
Ahhh you bloody bet it is! All you poofters & nasty girls that come here to Queensland & spend money for Mardi Gras recovery? That is ok, you can have a temporary visa so you can spend that cash in our resorts & restaurants, but don't you be getting any bloody ideas of staying and trying to marry or anything ridiculous like that, we are a good god-fearing, conservative state not to be polluted! - Geeez even I have to apologise for the vehemence in that seriously sarcastic statement, sorry, makes me so angry! - SIGH! I suppose at least we DIDN'T get a full sweep on that question, surprisingly... |
"Private health insurance rebates should depend on income."
Seats least in favour of this statement
| 1.Flynn (QLD) 2.Curtin (WA) 3.Tangney (WA) 4.Moore (WA) 5.Capricornia (QLD) 6.Bonner (QLD) 7.Moncrieff (QLD) 8.Ryan (QLD) 9.Bradfield (NSW) 10.Brisbane (QLD) |
Of course Queensland is overwhelmingly against that.... Those nimby's & self-funded retirees (before anyone screams, not all of you, BUT, you know the ‘sort’ I am referring to) from elsewhere in the country who have come to settle down in Queensland are not going to care about only receiving 'welfare' when needed. "I mean, really, get off your butt & earn more money, why should I help subsidize your plebby little public hospital system, I have paid tax all my life & deserve a break on paying rolled gold health insurance for myself!" or similar... :( |
Howard must have loved Queensland back in the day, big fans of the old "Middle Class Welfare" (also refer to first Private Schools question), we won't even go into the fact that the vast majority of Queenslanders would not even be hurt by this?
So in conclusion: I apologise for offending anyone (everyone). Though in my defence, how, just how, can you not be offended by a state that seems to be voting AGAINST its own interests and proudly displaying how racist, bigoted, homophobic and elitist it is? I love my state, I really do, but... I cannot defend this attitude at all, if you think you can, then give it your best shot!
Not even plain old cranky pants on this one , more like FERAL!
Noely
I had a good question from Cameron below:
@YaThinkN be interesting the numbers who completed Vote Compass using those post codes - possibly reflected in the stats you highlight #IMO
— Cameron Taylor (@TayloredPoint) August 28, 2013
So in the hope that maybe the data was skewed and we were not that bad in Queensland I asked Vote Compass, alas, no cigar as you can see below, we are that bad here :(
@YaThinkN We know we have an even geographical spread of respondents and @votecompass weight the data to account for any differences
— gillian bradford (@bradders2) August 28, 2013
