Speaking of hostages (by accident this time)
All the 41 Indian tunnel workers have been freed after 17 days trapped in collapsed passage.
Regards Matildgirl
Some life lessons from Tim Minchin. Worth watching.
(Timothy David Minchin AM[2] (born 7 October 1975) is a British-born Australian comedian, actor, writer, musician, poet, composer, and songwriter.)
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNCbr3aA/
Regards
Matildagirl
On a happier note Christmas Lights Downunder
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNsco4W1/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNscKCEp/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNs3dL2s/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNsccmYJ/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNs3e9tJ/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNs3N3dm/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNscTWae/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNs3NY7r/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNscnUcb/
May have overdone the links
Merry Christmas
Matildagirl
Some slightly odd Christmas events down under.
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNty54br/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNtyfmgN/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNtyDrqD/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNtyCYE8/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNtyKDwt/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNtyX4Bu/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNtythwb/
Regards to all
Matildagirl
@marigold Some info on the contest
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/best-decorated-christmas-buses#:~:text=John, 8-year-old,never been on one before.
@matildagirl Very interesting insights into NZ's political system. I've always wondered about the pros and cons of a multi-party system like yours. It seems complex, is it representative and does it work? Do you have concerns about the current leadership going forward?
@kathleen Hi Kathleen,
I am not a Kiwi, I am from Aus, we have different systems but we both have more than the two parties, but they are usually smaller ones. It still either of the 2 major parties that have to govern but in NZ case it is rare for one party to be able to govern in its own right they have to combine with another party and work together. In their current situation it is 3 parties combined. They have the MMP system which I think is what Germany has.
We have preferential voting where we list who we want in a descending order, I think you call it a Ranked system and some of your states are trying that, I believe Alaska did it for their last election.
I personally think we have the better system of the two, but I am not really a political animal so can’t really give you a lot of information. In our case the Labor party (the left) can get a majority in its own right to govern. The Liberal party (the right) never can it always has to combine with the (National party- the old country party) they call it the Coalition to be able to govern.
Labor brings in the good stuff like universal healthcare, national disability insurance scheme, superannuation, the Libs go more for Business and balancing the budgets. The smaller parties usually have the Balance of Power in the Senate and they can block extreme legislation , get it watered down or bolstered depending on the issue.
Both countries must be doing something right because we both rank highly in the various indexes like happiness, health, longevity, GDP, stability etc. and low in corruption, crime, violence and so forth.
Hope that helps in some way
Regards
Matildagirl
PS not sure what will happen with our countries and I guess Canada as well if we decide to ditch King Charles as our Head of State. That electing a President is a whole other ball game, not sure I like the idea, it seems a bit fraught. The main issues are do we want one? If so how do we get him, do we vote directly, have the Parliament elect him, the party of the time pick someone. What powers should he have if any, purely ceremonial?
If it’s all too hard, we may stick to Charles, then William, than Georgy boy. Kick the debate down the road for future generations, the old if it ain’t broke don’t fix it idea.
I think our current Prime Minister was going to float the idea to be a republic with a president if he won the next election but as his referendum for a Voice to Parliament for Aborigines sank without trace this year he may not. The main sticking points are do we vote for the position or is it an appointment like we do the Governor General position, who can run, how expensive will it get to do this. Could we end up with a Trump.
Regards
Matildagirl
@matildagirl Hi Matilda, thanks for the explanations regarding your government. Sorry I confused you for a Kiwi, lol! I've always been interested in knowing more about both Aussie and NZ politics as, despite the sometimes heated rhetoric, there seems to be enough agreement to actually make decisions. In the US, we have such a polarized population that it's really hard to get things done with our two-party system. We stay frozen and then we inevitably move backward instead of forward. Money and power drives a lot of bad decisions in the US. I think our founding fathers would be horrified to see the effect that Trump and MAGA have had on our democracy. Good on Aussies that despite their disagreements, they ensure that democracy thrives.