One thing I will point out as an Aussie who knows the system well…here, the preference choice is given to the voter, not the party unless the voter is happy with that. We can choose to vote the whole ticket or just vote 1 and let that party delegate our preferences.

I always mark the whole ticket. Typically, for me it’s #1 Green, then a raft of independents dependent on their standing, Labor usually third last then One Nation and the Coalition last. Parties do negotiate here about who they’ll preference and that can come down to electorate as well. Generally however, Greens will preference Labor and ON et al will preference the Liberals. Where a preference goes however is at the discretion of the voter unless they just vote 1 for their preferred party.

I did, they’re right; these people can’t do the bare minimum. Plus they look for excuses like blaming the colour of the electorate.

The current leadership reflects those electorates and the participation, in every way. They really did get what they voted for, or didn’t.