[cheesecake_luvr]

If you have good, progressive ideas and have time and energy, run for parliament. If Hanson, Katter, Christensen and all the other useless junk can get in, you have a chance. We do need a real progressive alternative in politics. Greens are good, but we need more.

[incompatible]

If people are voting for the likes of Hanson, Katter, and Christensen over the other candidates, it's unlikely that a scientist or engineer would have much chance. You'd be standing either as an independent or Greens candidate.

[selcuka]

As Douglas Adams famously said, "[...] one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them."

[throwawaythekey]

> Hanson, Katter, Christensen and all the other useless junk

Are further on the freedom spectrum than the typical liberal or labour party member. In cases like these they are allies!

It's important to realize that a large number of Australians will never vote for the greens or other progressives (for both fair and unfair reasons). We can work together on issues we agree on.

[prawn]

Easier to run on fear of simple things that people understand as being a more immediate threat, unfortunately.