Sure thing Proctor.
Anyway, as some may know Australia has a bicameral system based on the lovely Westminster. This vote of no confidence was passed by only the Upper house (the Senate). I would like to remind you all now that this vote means NOTHIG...it does not mean that the uber-dictator (VR speak) Howard is out of office. He could only be out if the Lower house voted against him.. in that case the ALP (Australian 'Labour' party) would gain control of the Lower house and would install Simon Crean as the new Prime Minister of Australia.
This vote isn't really important to the sceme of things, but it is nice to see the people represented in parliament for a change.(only 6% or something support a US only attack,.... less than 40% or something support a UN attack) Howard of course doesn't care... he once said that he "would not be swayed by public opinion" WTF... are we a democracy? (don't answer that
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As this is fairly new news i mayu have got some points wrong.... i'll give an update tomoz if things change round, when i have time enough to read the papers.
article
[update new info.... the vote of no confidence was begun in the lower house.. my mistake... it was defeated there.. but NOT defeated in the Upper house....
here
http://www.politicsforum.org/documents/forum_rules.php