Update: it looks like the Tories are likely to win half of the Senate and Family First are set to get a Senate seat in Victoria, giving the Right control of the upper house. And so, Australia will wake up with a reactionary, culture-war administration wielding absolute parliamentary power.
Yes. I was thinking of the Thatcherism thing as well recently.
Given that Howard personally shares a lot of Family First's values (the man has never met a Christian Fundamentalist he didn't like), and FF negotiated a hard bargain for their preference deals, they're likely to end up colouring his fourth-term legislative agenda. Expect more censorship and culture-war legislation, for one.
Well it looks like none of the Citizen's Electoral Council candidates got in, again. My dad said he voted for them because he doesn't like to see people lose their deposit. Well maybe Lyndon LaRouche will win the US Presidency this year anyway, but it doesn't bode well. Damn those drug-dealing reptoid Royals!
I'm just trying to keep upbeat and remember all the great music and culture Thatcherism inspired in the UK...
I have been saying to people that I believe Family First are a lot like One Nation, in that once people see what they're _really_ about, people who voted for them this time will run for the hills. If they get control of the senate, their true character will be exposed pretty quickly.
In any case, we live in interesting times.