Australia is in election mode. The election for our Nations top leader, Prime Minister, is being held on the 21st August and will be decided between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.
I have never really been politically minded, but as my career has progressed and my interest in human behaviour has grown, I find the game of politics to be an intriguing one!
Four weeks ago we had a ‘leadership coo’, where Kevin Rudd was removed by his party and replaced by the first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. There was celebration as she has made political and in fact nation history being the first female Prime Minister. All be it, not elected by the people of Australia. Despite what you may think, it’s a great effort by anyone to be placed into the nations top leadership position. She has the reputation of being a very smart politician playing in a male dominated arena. I take my hat off to her!
So there are many questions on my mind now. We don’t vote for the leader of our government, we vote for the policy. Or that is how we are meant to vote. I just wonder how much the leader representing the political parties does influence the vote. I often hear people stating that they do not like the leader. So if they do not like the leader, will this stop them from voting for the policy of that particular party? Will we vote for whom we know, like and trust more than the other person delivering the policy? Or do we simply assess the cold hard facts?
I’m not sure what it is for you, however, my guess is that there is a huge leadership influence on the voters and this election will be interesting to watch the different leadership styles and strategies that come out to play and just who, out of the two front runners will win on election day.