Factsheet 8.2

Power of One

The Power of One is not just a best-selling election resulted in the closest election result Bryce Courtney novel. The ‘power of one’ ever in this state. The electorate of Mundingburra is actually a very real phenomenon where determined the fate of the then Goss Labor one person, and their vote, can make a Government at this election. The result in this seat real difference to society. relied on postal votes. After ten days, the Electoral Commission of declared that the Labor Often people believe that they are only Party had won the seat by 16 votes. As a result, one voice, so what power do they have the Goss Labor Government had a parliamentary among many voices? Well, one voice can majority of one to govern the state. often make a world of difference and sway important decisions. For instance, one But the election result was challenged by the vote1: Liberal Party in the Court of Disputed Returns. After some deliberation, the court accepted that • made English the official language in some votes were incorrectly disqualified. They America instead of German in 1776; declared the seat vacant which triggered a new • made Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector election in this electorate. of England in 1653; This election was one of the most hotly-contested • made Adolf Hitler leader of the in recent years, largely because of the precarious Socialist (Nazi) Party in 1923; hold Labor had on state government in Queensland. The February 1996 election was won by the Liberal • in a party leadership contest in 1970, Party’s with a 2.8% swing against Labor, saved Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson as resulting in a hung parliament. The had ; 44 seats, the Labor Party had 44 seats and there • in a party leadership contest in was one Independent holding the balance of power. 1971, Sir John Gorton lost the Prime With the support of Gladstone Independent Liz Ministership of Australia on his own Cunningham, the Goss Government fell within a one vote; and week of the by-election and the National Party’s Rob Borbidge become Premier of a minority • in 1993, not one but two votes won government. With this one vote, Premier Borbidge Sydney the 2000 Olympic Games. governed Queensland until the next state election When the numbers voting are small, held in 1998. then one vote can often make a huge The power of one mother… difference. But there are also many examples where one vote among many In 2006, the Labor state government was debating has also made a significant difference. the introduction of the Unlawful Drink Spiking: On average, 32,000 people vote in each Criminal Code (Drink Spiking) and Other Acts electorate at a state election. Even so, Amendment Bill 2006. This legislation amended there have been several close elections. the Criminal Code 1899 to include a specific offence of drink spiking, carrying a maximum The power of one politician… penalty of five years imprisonment. In July 1995, a general state election Drink spiking occurs when alcohol or another drug was held in Queensland to elect the 89 is added to a person’s drink without that person’s members of the Legislative Assembly. This knowledge or consent. As a result, a Updated July 2015 P +61 7 3553 6000 www.parliament.qld.gov.au F +61 7 3553 6419 [email protected] drink spiking. protect yourselffrombecomingavictimof which containedinstructionsonhowto placing warningsignsintheirfacilities The campaigninvolvedclubsandpubs dangers ofdrinkspikingwaslaunched. a promotionalcampaignhighlightingthe making drinkspikingacriminaloffence, along withtheenactingoflegislation was welcomedbythegovernmentand encourage themtodoso. spiking, maybethegovernmentshould not havetocarrywarningsaboutdrink suggested that,sincelicensedvenuesdid her daughter’s drinksbeing spiked. Member ofheranguishfollowingone the government. with thelegislativestepsproposedby on thedangersofdrinkspiking,along taking positivestepstoeducatepeople Member forPumicestone,todiscuss of Parliament, CarrynSullivanMP resident contactedherlocalMember five, legislation anddrinkspiking,amotherof Following mediadiscussionaboutthe theft. to beassociatedwithsexualassaultand growing problemworldwide,andhascome even leadingtodeath.Ithasbecomea person inadangeroussituation,possibly dangerous practiceandplacesthedrugged impairing theirconsciousness.Itisavery person becomesincapacitated,mostlikely Be awarethatrapistsareusingthisnewstrategy Avoid tastingorexchangingdrinkswith others Throw awaydrinksthattastefunnyorsalty Educate yourselfaboutdrinkspikingsafety For supportcallthe24hourSexual Assault Tammy Bretherton,aBribieIsland Refuse anydrinksfromopencontainers Stay togetherwithtrustedfriends ‘Drink SpikingHappens’ Monitor drinksconstantly Helpline on1800010120 These signsread: Tammy toldherlocal This suggestion and Tammy Brisbane, 1996,p8. 1 of oneisreal–yourvotedoesmatter! As theseexamplesclearlydemonstrate,thepower The powerofyouronevote… this importantissue. improved theoutcomeforwholecommunityon highlighting theissueinmedia,thisonemother approaching herlocalMemberofParliament and actions, whichincludedresearchingtheissue, about thegovernment’s legislation. Tammy identifiedaneedtoeducatethecommunity across thestate. found onwallsandcoastersinlicensedvenues Sexual reproduced withthepermissionofGoldCoast the sponsorshipofstategovernmentand The informationsignswereproducedwith

Queensland citizenandparticipateinyour Electoral CommissionofQueensland, democratic systemtohelpshapeyour Are yougoingtobecomeanactive Assault SupportService.Signscannowbe Power ofOne future? Elections Queensland Through her Updated July 2015 Factsheet 8.2 ,