We’ve been busy trying to explain the Australian political process to Clare.  We’ve told her that there are different levels of government, and that the election that took place yesterday was the Federal election, which is the one for the whole country (the State election is coming up later in the year).  We’ve told her that the Federal election is about who will be running the country and making decisions about issues that affect everyone across Australia.  We’ve explained that there are two Houses of Parliament, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and that each is voted for in a different way.  We’ve explained that in Australia there are two major political parties, the Labor Party, headed by Julia Gillard, and the Liberal/National coalition, headed by Tony Abbot.  We’ve explained that there are other parties too, such as the Greens, and there are independents that aren’t aligned to a particular party.  We’ve explained that each party has it’s own policies and ways of approaching issues, and that people vote for the person in their area that will represent them according to what that person and their party say about their policies.  We’ve explained how preferences operate and how votes then pass from one party to another party.  Clare has been asking lots of insightful questions and I’m very impressed by her seven-and-a-half-year-old grasp of what is going on.

And Stella?  With all this talk of parties, she insisted on wearing her party dress today.  She’s been running around the house singing “Happy Birthday”.  She thinks she’s going to a party.  Can’t say that I’m celebrating at the moment though…

Edited to add for the benefit of non-Australian readers:  As of lunchtime Sunday, Lisette at Textile Seahorse has posted an excellent summary of where things curently stand, which includes the following:

• a hung parliament
• balance of power spread among five white middle class men whose views range across the spectrum
• the youngest ever MP (who is 20)
• the first Aboriginal MP
• the first Green MP

and more interesting facts you can read here

It’s Election Day!  And you know what? I love it!  I love that we have the opportunity to vote and have a say.  I’ve been telling my girls that there are places in the world where people fight and die for the right to vote, but here in Australia everyone votes and has the opportunity to have a say in how their country is run.  I love that everyone comes out of their homes and lines up at the local school and has their say.  I love the school fundraising sausage sizzle – we spent a couple of hours this morning cooking sausages and pouring coffee for people waiting to vote.  I love the sense of community and purpose that I find on election day.

Tomorrow will I love the outcome?  Not sure yet…