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# Democracy in action, civil society and political change
- URL: https://katecarruthers.com/democracy-in-action-civil-society-and-political-change/
- Published: 2011-03-27T12:27:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-25T10:35:07.000Z
- Author: Kate Carruthers
- Tags: civil society, future, history, politics, society, #Migrated-1775015344493, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-04-01 14:49

Yesterday in New South Wales there was a major shift in the state's political landscape. We saw a significant shift in voting with [enormous swings](http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/day-the-state-went-blue/2115385.aspx?ref=katecarruthers.com) against the [ALP](http://www.nswalp.com/?ref=katecarruthers.com) across the state and especially in traditional heartland seats.

The [Liberals](http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/?ref=katecarruthers.com) won seats in which they'd never imagined a serious contest. As election guru Antony Green noted:

> They are astonishing figures; I mean there wouldn't have been swings of that size since the Great Depression, since the defeat of Scullin, they are mammoth swings and that's a very difficult thing to really get on top of on the night."  
> [*Source: ABC's election analyst 'astonished' by swing*](http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3174762.htm?ref=katecarruthers.com)

What is of particular interest is that all of this change happened without any bloodshed. In fact, the leaders of each side - Kristina Kenneally for the ALP and Barry O'Farrell for the Liberal-National Coalition - maintained a civil demeanour towards each other throughout the campaign.

Apart from the odd bit of local bastardry - such as [defacing posters](http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-election-2011/swing-to-greens-is-tinged-red-20110326-1cbbc.html?ref=katecarruthers.com) \- there were no reports of shots fired, no reports of fisticuffs, and no emotionally tinged polemics.

Instead, Barry O'Farrell (who has performed the miracle of unifying the Liberal-National Coalition) in his victory speech noted that his opponent, Kenneally, was a "[skilled communicator and gutsy performer](http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-election-2011/well-govern-for-all-20110326-1cbbf.html?ref=katecarruthers.com)".

While Kenneally noted in her [concession speech](http://southern-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/kristina-keneally-delivers-her-concession/?ref=katecarruthers.com):

> “The people of NSW always get it right and so tonight I congratulate Mr O’Farrell and I wish him, and the government that he will form all the best.

This is a great place to live and to be free to exercise our democratic rights in peace. Unlike [Ivory Coast](http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/fifty-two-killed-in-post-election-violence/story-fn3dxity-1226027806651?ref=katecarruthers.com) where elections saw fifty-two people killed only a few days ago.

Complain about the political system in Australia if you like, but we are really a lucky country.

A real concern is the rise of divisive and un-civil behaviour in Australian federal politics. We need to fight against this rise of [invective driven politics](http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2011/03/ditch-the-bitch-seriously.html?ref=katecarruthers.com) where personal attacks are the norm. It's time to keep our traditions of a good fair fight that lets the people decide at the ballot box and which follows the [rules of engagement](http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/about%5Felections/Elections%5Ffor%5Feach%5Flevel%5Fof%5Fgovernment/state?ref=katecarruthers.com) set down in legislation.

Well played to both Barry O'Farrell and Kristina Kenneally. Good to see a change of government in NSW - sixteen years was a tad too long for any one party to rule.