As far as Federal politics go, from tomorrow we’re in for some of the most interesting times since Bob Hawke sculled a yard glass outside the hill at Adelaide oval.

 

Tomorrow the new Senate’s term begins in Canberra, bringing with it a raft of changes to the upper house. Most important is the distribution of parties. Kevin Rudd’s Government has 32 senators of the total 76; the Opposition Coalition 37; the Greens a historically high 5 (slap!); with the two remaining suits filled out by independents.

 

Along with the lower house (the House of Representatives), action in the Senate is concerned with blocking or passing legislation. It’s where laws are made or else muddled in waffly debate for millenniums hence. The new distribution means that Rudd’s team will not be able to push through their desired legislation on their own. A majority in the Senate (39 senators) is necessary to pass anything, and – assuming the Coalition’s 37 will be anti-Government sticklers – K-Rudd will have to obtain the support of all five Greens senators plus the two independents if they are to enjoy the sweet, sweet, mellow taste of victory.

 

Therein lies the rub. Obtaining this support is already proving tricky for Rudder and Co., even before the Senate has placed their buttocks on ochre leather. Bob Brown’s Greens have declared their opposition to the Government’s ‘Luxury Car Tax’ (which is exactly what it sounds like) – Brown believes that it should instead be a ‘Gas Guzzling Car Tax’ (which is also exactly what it sounds like).

 

Along with the Greens, the other two wild cards are Family First’s Steve Fielding and South Aussie’s own “top bloke, deadset legend” Nick Xenophon. Xenophon is relishing his position as a Senate watchdog-sama, and is apparently eager to make sure he retains his critical voice in the chamber. Fielding has also piped up pre-main event, blasting Rudd’s proposed “Alco-pops Tax Increase” because it does not attack the root causes of the terrible scourge of binge drinking.

 

Perennial man under fire Brendan Nelson may just be tilting back just a little further in his chair ahead of tomorrow’s events, in the knowledge that the Government is going to have to do some serious cajoling, kowtowing and general cooperation if it wishes to carry out its grand objectives. Game on!