The Extent to Which Leadership Effected the 2001 Federal Election Outcome
The outcome of the 2001 federal election was determined by a number of
important contributing factors, of which leadership was important. An
essential feature of a liberal democracy, outlined in its most basic
definition, is the process of elections. Elections exist to ensure the
government reflects the wishes of the majority of its citizens,
following the principle of utilitarianism, whereby the greatest
happiness of the greatest number of people equals the greatest social
good. However, when citizens consider the candidate they are to vote
for, leadership plays an important role. Leadership is an important
issue, amongst many others in determining the outcome of an election,
and the extent to which it effected the 2001 federal election will be
the basis of this essay.
Early on in the year, a Labor victory seemed inevitable. The Liberal
party was in a state of disarray, and public opinion held them in bad
status. The general psyche was that it was a time for a new
government. Kim Beazley, leader of the ALP (Australian Labor Party)
had changed public opinion of him from being a somewhat undecisive
leader and in many people's eyes was the only possible candidate to
take the role of the Prime Minister. Beazley avoided trouble and
presented a strong persona, whereas Mr. Howard "incurred the nation's
collective wrath over the goods and services tax, high petrol prices
and his Government's perceived arrogance.". The state elections in
Queensland and WA earlier that year resulted in landslide Labor
victories. Two teachers at Scotch college even went as far as to mak...
... middle of paper ...
... sure path to success, but Tampa and September 11
rendered a Labor victory all but impossible. It was clear from
pre-election polls that after these events Labor's substantial
popularity was completely reversed in favour of the coalition. Each
party's campaigns also showed the value placed on leadership, this
being the most substantial issue dealt with in television advertising.
Bibliography
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· The West Australian October 16 2001, Mark Mallabone
· 2001 Election Commentary, www.australianpolitics.com,
http://www.australianpolitics.com/elections/2001/commentary/
· Henderson, IH, (2001), Tampa, terror boost Howard,
www.australianpolitics.com
· Collier, Peter, Head of Politics at Scotch College
· Four Corners video
· Oakes, LO (2001), "Rally Round the Flag" The Bulletin pg 18