Kate Ellis: House of Reps has been chaos, but the Senate has been a freak show

In recent years we have seen chaos and division in the House of Reps, but it’s the Senate where the real freak show has been underway, writes Kate Ellis.

• Why Kate Ellis called it quits from politics

Finally. The advertising blackout has begun. The candidates have almost completed their schmoozing of voters. The arguments have been put forward.

It’s now clear that this election is a choice between Labor’s stable and united team or more of the chaos of a divided Morrison-Palmer-Hanson coalition.

Those wanting better hospitals and schools vote Labor. Those wanting more tax loopholes for the rich vote Liberal.

But there is another important choice that voters will make tomorrow, which hasn’t received the same attention and that is what the Senate will look like.

In recent years we have seen chaos and division in the House of Reps with a frequently rotating inhabitant of the Prime Minister’s chair.

Yet despite this, it has been in the Senate that the real freak show has been underway.

We have already seen Clive Palmer elect a team of Senators only for them to peel off one by one as it became obvious that they didn’t seem united by anything other than wanting Clive Palmer to pay for their campaign to become Members of Parliament.

We’ve seen Pauline Hanson’s team of ineligible, inappropriate or just plain offensive misfits descend into a rabble and desert her.

Or alternatively try and do deals with the US gun lobby.

We’ve had the disgrace that is Fraser Anning demean not just himself but our whole parliament by bringing his disgraceful extremist views in to give his neo-Nazi mates a voice in the Australian senate. 

FINAL PODCAST: KATE ELLIS AND CHRISTOPHER PYNE

That isn’t a baseless political sledge, either, as two of Anning’s biggest backers have been through the courts over hate crimes.

And, on a lighter note, here has been the vanity of Derryn Hinch, wheeling and dealing, flouting process, making policy on the run.

This needs to stop. This is the other decision we can make tomorrow. It won’t shock anyone to learn that I’m voting Labor. I’m particularly excited about doing so for the Senate this election. A strong Labor vote will see existing SA Senator Alex Gallacher joined by Marielle Smith, a smart, young, incredibly qualified candidate, who former Prime Minister Julia Gillard described years ago as a “future star of the Australian Labor Party”, and hopefully also the passionate and progressive Emily Gore.

Labor candidate for the Senate Marielle Smith.

Similarly the Liberal Party will be hoping for a strong result to allow Alex Antic to secure a third spot for them. I don’t personally know Alex, (or indeed generally make a habit of talking up Liberal candidates), but have heard that he is both capable and credible.

Sarah Hanson-Young’s future also hangs in the balance. Whilst some may dislike her politics, few would question her work ethic or advocacy on behalf of SA. The Senate and our senate votes are important.

I think that you should vote Labor, but if you don’t, please vote for a party and candidate that you actually know.

Our Senate mustn’t continue to be a sanctuary for some of the biggest dills in Australia.

Kate Ellis is the retiring Labor member for Adelaide

Originally published as Kate Ellis: House of Reps has been chaos, but the Senate has been a freak show