We have two elections in prospect:

• New South Wales State election
• Australian Commonwealth election

I am anticipating the usual confrontational style among the candidates, egged on by the media, and the usual tribal loyalties among the electorate. But maybe I’ll be surprised.

Although the build-up is often hard to take, election day is usually a joyous occasion. The polling centres are often the local schools, which gives the Parents and Citizens group a chance to generate funds by selling sausages in a piece of bread to the voter. This has recently been dubbed “the democracy sausage”.

On the Sidelines

Robin Ford
 
I’m getting old: and friends are ageing too.
I like to think it’s mostly done with grace,
And should I wonder what I ought to do –
Forget the prize: it’s how I run the race.
 
We gathered on a storm-enveloped night,
And after we had sumptuously dined
Some settled in to put the world aright
(A by-election brought the task to mind)
 
“I do not trust the parliament we’ve got.”
“Our leaders all are fools, or on the make”
“Our education system’s gone to pot”
“I could have warned them: it was a mistake”
 
No space for conversation; I’m confused,
Well-fed and watered; silent and bemused.