Election comments

Interesting comments by Paul Lennon on election night:
Mr Lennon said he was determined to do more to promote Aboriginal reconciliation in Tasmania and that addressing and correcting the tragedy of the "Stolen Generation" of Aboriginal children removed from their families was his first priority. "It is the first area where we can do something tangible, which will also show how far Tasmania has come since it was the butt of jokes in Sydney and Melbourne," he said. "What happened here in our early European history was a disgraceful episode which needs to be put to rest for once and for all -- the wrongs to the Aboriginal community continued on well into the 20th century, and this issue has to be resolved."
At least someone in Australian politics is still talking about this. Along with policy initiatives on same-sex relationships, even if they should go further, this is evidence that being socially progressive doesn't alienate 'traditional Labor voters', threats to their jobs do. Three Tasmanian Labor majorities under a PR system with 5 seats per electorate suggest that Labor has a chance of securing a Legislative Council majority in Victoria this year.
In South Australia I thought there would be a swing in Frome after Kerin did so well last time, and I note a retiring Labor MLC says Labor could have done more in Frome. I doubt Kerin could have been defeated however but the Liberals will be glad he is not retiring. Bad news for the Democrats unfortunately, but the vote for Nick Xenophon shows the power of a personality and perhaps Natasha Stott-Despoja can pull off the same feat. The DLP used to be good at marketing its individual Senators: put Gair there.