After the expulsion of two Liberal opposition MPs from the Australian Parliament, two by-elections have been triggered- one in the seat of Sydney, which covers much of the urban area of Sydney, and in the Gold Coast-based seat of Moncrieff. These by-elections already looked to be hardly-fought- if the government won these seats, they could seize an absolute majority in the lower house- truly a message to the opposition considering these were safe Liberal seats at the general election (albeit with little opposition). The stakes increased when Zhukov236, MP for Robertson, a government MP, was expelled, meaning that if the government didn’t win any one of these seats, they would lose a majority until the Robertson by-election. Australia’s ranked choice voting system allows similar parties to stand against each other without splitting the vote- something not seen in New Zealand.

The senior coalition partner in government, the Socialists, are standing in both seats, with gavingrotegut (pictured in header image) standing in Moncrieff and Horror-HQ standing in Sydney, both former MPs. Junior coalition partner, the Greens, who stood and failed to win a by-election earlier this term, are standing antier in the seat of Moncrieff. antier, a former Liberal, stood in Cowper last election for the Greens, being unsuccessful. Incumbent MP for Moncrieff PineappleCrusher_ attempted to recontest on the Liberal ticket, but withdrew after it was revealed he would be ineligible to stand. The Liberals have announced TheAudibleAsh, a former Liberal leader and recently retired Clerk, as their candidate for Moncrieff since. In Sydney, ex-Social Democratic MP JohnVolser is standing on the Liberal ticket.

And finally, there’s the surprise element of the Australian Whigs. The Whigs, formerly known as the Geoliberal Party of Australia, are standing candidates in both seats. Leader Plupsnup is standing in Sydney, while Nothedarkweb is standing in Moncrieff. The Whigs are a centre-right party standing for tax reform and progressive liberalism with elements seemingly from both sides of politics, although Plupsnup is an ardent anti-socialist. Curiously, the party today promised to make tertiary education free for those who did not attend high school. They’re unlikely to win, but their preferences will make the race very interesting.