We had a State Election yesterday. Unlike the US, where your campaigns seem interminable to us, our election was called 6 months early and with an election date 4 weeks after the announcement.

The timing of the election was seen as a rather cynical attempt by the incumbent Labor Party Premier to capitalise on the disarray of the opposition party (Liberal). The Liberals had just announced a new leader (after the previous fellow was found to be a bit of a liability - caught sniffing a female staffer's chair...and doing other politically incorrect/sexist things) and the Olympics were there as a distraction for half of the campaign period.

Our State is in a boom underpinned by mining in the northwest. Money abounds (seemingly) but not for all.

Anyway, it appears that the government will change hands. The Labor party will not have enough seats to form a majority. Neither will the Liberals, but they have previously formed a Coalition government with the National Party (representing country folk such as ourselves), and have the numbers to form government if the Nationals come back on board. Interesting times. Could have a hung parliament.

Personally, I worked on the election (taking and counting votes) from 7 a.m. till 9.30 p.m. and I'm knackered today. It's Father's Day here, so Happy Father's Day to all you Fathers out there!