Sunday 28th March 1999
It was a dark morning on the day that Chika had to concede defeat. This was obviously the reason why, at 5am on Saturday morning, I rolled over and went back to sleep.
I was running a little behind schedule on the day of the NSW Election. Arriving to man my post a little after 8am (with my Mum in tow - Help is hard to find in the early hours of the weekend!), I checked out the competition. Interestingly, Unity were there, with a new catch cry: ‘Unity - For a multicultural Australia.’ They seemed to have dropped the emphasis on ‘Say no to Hanson.’ Hmm, I wonder why.
I did my best to cramp there style (nicely of course!), by constantly positioning myself next to them. It was pleasing to note that far more people were taking HTV’s from One Nation, than they were from Unity. The Outdoor Recreation Party were represented. Obviously, they are proud to be at the opposite end of the spectrum to The Greens. The crowds were large and consistent at Kellyville Public School.
Unfortunately, I was unaware until I arrived there, that the polling place covered three Electorates: The Hills, Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury. I was only representing the One Nation Candidate for Hawkesbury, Noeline Saxiones. Subsequently, we only had 200 HTV’s, and ran out by about 10am. I spent a large part of the morning on my mobile attempting to get more delivered. This is where the fundamental problem lies with One Nation. Organisation. Our man power is spread over such an area, that is does not allow room for error. I contacted two people who were run off their feet, and would’ve liked to help me out with my dilemma, but just did not have the time. It is the very height of frustration to see votes going to other Parties because voters didn’t have a One Nation HTV in their hand. It amazes me that the majority of people will not vote for you if you don’t show them the way (ie- They MUST have a HTV to follow.)
Noeline, in her imitable style, came up with the goods, and the show went on.
I departed Kellyville at about 10am, and went to make sure all was going well at Kenthurst Public School. Quick stop at Arcadia Public School, where I placed my own vote (Avoided becoming entangled in the ‘table cloth.’)
The afternoon shift involved Annangrove Public School. Which was very uneventful. Except when a gust of wind arrived, and a poster sporting Bob Carr’s picture blew over. The ALP representative had disappeared, so we all decided we would do the right thing.... And leave Bob where he belonged. I departed there at 2.30pm.... Just time to come home for a snooze.
Dale Eder, fellow booth worker, picked me up after he had finished scrutineering at Kenthurst. We managed to catch a radiant Pauline, and a calm David on the TV Election coverage before departing for the Post Poll Party, (Hawkesbury and Londonderry) which was held at the Richmond Scout Hall. The atmosphere there was fairly ecstatic, as the results started rolling in. Surrounded by friendly faces, we watched the results electorate by electorate. Cheers and beers went up around the room, as the great percentages for One Nation were revealed.
Over all, it was a great day. There is room for much improvement though. Congratulations to David Oldfield... I was inspired by the fact that even David said we could’ve done some things better. I agree wholeheartedly, and can see that David will not fall into the trap of complacency.
Funny (both hilarious and downright bizarre) moments:
When two rather attractive young ladies handed out ‘How to Votes’ (HTV) for Castle Hill Tavern... Free beers, nightclub entry.... They were onto a real winner with there promotion. Just don’t look for them on the ballot paper!
One man, who had arrived to vote at 7.30am, rather disgruntled with the fact that the booth did not open until 8am, asked “What time do they open tomorrow?”
Brian Zarth trying to get those corflutes “Just a bit higher!” Have fun getting them down!
When a man approached me and told me that everything Pauline has ever said is right, and that the vilification of her by the media is disgusting.... What’s so funny about that? He was handing out HTV’s for the Liberal Party. An ALP scrutineer asked for a One Nation membership application form... He claimed some of his friends were interested in joining too.
Surprising revelations:
One Nation candidate for Londonderry, Stephen Burke, scored 11.2% of the vote. Not bad, considering over half of the booths were unmanned and he put his hat in the ring just so One Nation could have representation in that area. I claim the seat could’ve been won by One Nation, with considerable effort, resources and man power. Something to consider for next time.
Pauline braved the massive crowds, and attended the Bee Gees concert.
The battle for Hornsby to remain a blue ribbon seat. O’Doherty and Cardamatis fought it out.... With the Liberals managing to just get over the line. An amazing swing towards the ALP in such a strong Liberal area.
I would like to thank the people who provided me (without even knowing it!) with some of their Election Day tales.... Merv Eder and Brian Zarth. Thank you Gentlemen.
Well, a post mortem reveals that the NSW voters decided that Chika just didn’t have the ticker.... But was Carr really above par?
"I think we'll have our best-ever result in the lower house."
Meg Lees Federal Leader of Australian Democrats, 14th March 1999
"Nothing, however, is likely to stave off a disappointing result for Mr Oldfield
and 74 other One Nation candidates in the NSW election. The moment for Mrs
Pauline Hanson and Mr David Oldfield, it seems, has passed."
Greg Roberts, "Journalist" from The Australian, 27th February 1999
"FROM its first fierce stirrings in Ipswich to this week's final curtain,
the public career of Pauline Hanson, the would-be saviour of everyday Australia,
consumed precisely three startling, heart-stopping years. But in the first
days of February 1999, both Ms Hanson and her One Nation party are in tatters.
How can a political tide first swell, then dissipate, with such hallucinatory
swiftness? The brisk fragmentation of her party, and its seeming popular
eclipse, comes as no surprise if the first moments of her rise are remembered:
for those who are raised up by popular emotions are also, in the fullness
of time, undone by them. "
NICOLAS ROTHWELL "The Australian" 6th February, 1999