Chris Monnox
@cmonnox.bsky.social
Early career historian working on elections, electioneering, and Australian Capital Territory politics.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
Today's blog post looks at the first time the federal parliament was expanded in 1948 - how the pendulum looked before and after the change, and where the marginal seats were located #auspol www.tallyroom.com.au/63613
The 1948 expansion – the big map change
The first expansion of parliament was passed in 1948, and came into force at the 1949 election. It was also the largest increase we’ve seen, either proportionally or in raw numbers. The House…
www.tallyroom.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Today's blog post looks at the first time the federal parliament was expanded in 1948 - how the pendulum looked before and after the change, and where the marginal seats were located #auspol www.tallyroom.com.au/63613
Reposted by Chris Monnox
Today's blog post is again about the 1984 election - how many MPs jumped ship to safer seats? And how different was the swing in seats with sitting Labor MPs or without any sitting MP? #auspol www.tallyroom.com.au/63522
The 1984 expansion – reverse musical chairs
When the new electoral map was published in 1984, it kicked off a game of musical chairs, but with a difference – this time there were more seats than players. Some of these seats were more a…
www.tallyroom.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Today's blog post is again about the 1984 election - how many MPs jumped ship to safer seats? And how different was the swing in seats with sitting Labor MPs or without any sitting MP? #auspol www.tallyroom.com.au/63522
Billy Hughes in 1929 is how you rat. You don't muck about. You bring down the government, have a durry, and walk away like there's a movie explosion pending.
![An excerpt from Warren Denning’s Caucus Crisis in which Hughes ‘pause[d], with a Sphinx-like smile, in the King’s Hall, to light a cigarette in a slow, deliberate manner which told the discerning that he was very well pleased indeed with himself.’](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rvab23vlvg5ahuowfgcdrxno/bafkreihbptst6cs2qiqdnrhtf3qctya2sbwvhlzrgh32kseqjsafx7bqlm@jpeg)
October 20, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Billy Hughes in 1929 is how you rat. You don't muck about. You bring down the government, have a durry, and walk away like there's a movie explosion pending.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
I enormously enjoyed this conversation with David Runciman about the history of compulsory voting, how it came to be adopted in countries like Belgium and Australia, and what it could for British politics today.
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I enormously enjoyed this conversation with David Runciman about the history of compulsory voting, how it came to be adopted in countries like Belgium and Australia, and what it could for British politics today.
Halligan and Paris (1984) on the ratepayer ideology have never once missed.
October 5, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Halligan and Paris (1984) on the ratepayer ideology have never once missed.
This is—and I don't say such things lightly—Canberra cross of trams level.
I think also that the organised opposition to the stadium comes really from that Hobart group and that when you look at their slogan and some of the images they've produced its a bit on the nose maybe...
September 27, 2025 at 3:31 AM
This is—and I don't say such things lightly—Canberra cross of trams level.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
I have been the Returning Officer for ballots and feel I must repost this out of respect for my people.
All politics is a little sordid, but the voting machine in Australia is wholesome and pure. Its methods, checks and balances, and all the people that make it go.
All politics is a little sordid, but the voting machine in Australia is wholesome and pure. Its methods, checks and balances, and all the people that make it go.
Bad roads and irregular ferries used to regularly hold up election results from the sort of small polling booths that now report first. But the Eden-Monaro returning officer who entered flood water so fifty people could vote was made of sterner stuff.
September 24, 2025 at 4:19 AM
I have been the Returning Officer for ballots and feel I must repost this out of respect for my people.
All politics is a little sordid, but the voting machine in Australia is wholesome and pure. Its methods, checks and balances, and all the people that make it go.
All politics is a little sordid, but the voting machine in Australia is wholesome and pure. Its methods, checks and balances, and all the people that make it go.
Bad roads and irregular ferries used to regularly hold up election results from the sort of small polling booths that now report first. But the Eden-Monaro returning officer who entered flood water so fifty people could vote was made of sterner stuff.
September 24, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Bad roads and irregular ferries used to regularly hold up election results from the sort of small polling booths that now report first. But the Eden-Monaro returning officer who entered flood water so fifty people could vote was made of sterner stuff.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
NEW SUBMISSION CATEGORY ADDED!
AJPS invites Reform Notes from practitioners and/or academics that set out proposed innovations about (or relevant to) aspects of Australian politics practice - e.g. proposals for or modifications to existing political institutions, procedures, laws and practices 1/4
AJPS invites Reform Notes from practitioners and/or academics that set out proposed innovations about (or relevant to) aspects of Australian politics practice - e.g. proposals for or modifications to existing political institutions, procedures, laws and practices 1/4
August 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
NEW SUBMISSION CATEGORY ADDED!
AJPS invites Reform Notes from practitioners and/or academics that set out proposed innovations about (or relevant to) aspects of Australian politics practice - e.g. proposals for or modifications to existing political institutions, procedures, laws and practices 1/4
AJPS invites Reform Notes from practitioners and/or academics that set out proposed innovations about (or relevant to) aspects of Australian politics practice - e.g. proposals for or modifications to existing political institutions, procedures, laws and practices 1/4
This is something I miss from living in Wollongong. If the rally was badly organised it would get <15 people, and that fact would make the local news.
August 31, 2025 at 9:17 AM
This is something I miss from living in Wollongong. If the rally was badly organised it would get <15 people, and that fact would make the local news.
Constitutions matter here. The ACT begins each term with a vote to elect the Chief Minister, so there's not the same onus on the opposition to put the incumbent out.
Labor's no confidence motion in Jeremy Rockliff with confidence in Dean Winter has failed 10-24 #politas
August 19, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Constitutions matter here. The ACT begins each term with a vote to elect the Chief Minister, so there's not the same onus on the opposition to put the incumbent out.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
Interesting thing in this #politas mess - importance of incumbency. Could have a Premier who majority of parliament doesn't really have confidence in continuing because it doesn't have confidence in anybody else (and doesn't want to lose one lifeline to avoid an election).
August 13, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Interesting thing in this #politas mess - importance of incumbency. Could have a Premier who majority of parliament doesn't really have confidence in continuing because it doesn't have confidence in anybody else (and doesn't want to lose one lifeline to avoid an election).
If you're after material from a federal election 1910-51 let me know. Odds are I've got archival photos.
Yes, this should be encouraged. I have amassed so much material that I am happy to share!
There was a bit of this sharing of archival photos, etc during Covid but not as much since then.
There was a bit of this sharing of archival photos, etc during Covid but not as much since then.
74. Historians should share sources more. Like, actually give colleagues sources that you found so they can use them.
August 5, 2025 at 10:40 AM
If you're after material from a federal election 1910-51 let me know. Odds are I've got archival photos.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
Is it possible that Labor, after polling a record low vote and winning barely a quarter of seats, could form government? Or could they have no choice but to form government? Ben discussed this topic with @cmonnox.bsky.social and @kevinbonham.bsky.social last week on the podcast #politas #tasvotes
July 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Is it possible that Labor, after polling a record low vote and winning barely a quarter of seats, could form government? Or could they have no choice but to form government? Ben discussed this topic with @cmonnox.bsky.social and @kevinbonham.bsky.social last week on the podcast #politas #tasvotes
Me: Independents aren't channeling every idea of the inter-war centre-right. Hope I'm not overdoing the comparison.
Peter George: we need a non-party government to meet this economic emergency.
Peter George: we need a non-party government to meet this economic emergency.
July 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Me: Independents aren't channeling every idea of the inter-war centre-right. Hope I'm not overdoing the comparison.
Peter George: we need a non-party government to meet this economic emergency.
Peter George: we need a non-party government to meet this economic emergency.
Thanks for having me on @benraue.com. I'm quite ok with extra Hare-Clark elections, even if Tasmanians aren't.
Me and @cmonnox.bsky.social and and @benraue.com re Tasmanian Election 2025 - results and government formation www.tallyroom.com.au/60946 #politas
Podcast #154: Tasmania votes for another hung parliament
Ben is joined by Kevin Bonham and Chris Monnox to discuss the results of the Tasmanian state election and prospects for the formation of a new government. This podcast is supported by the Tally Roo…
www.tallyroom.com.au
July 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Thanks for having me on @benraue.com. I'm quite ok with extra Hare-Clark elections, even if Tasmanians aren't.
Here is the Tasmanian Electoral Commission explaining Hare-Clark with chickens. Some of you people from easy maths jurisdictions may need it explained with chickens.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA6x...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA6x...
Hare Clark Explained
YouTube video by Tasmanian Electoral Commission
m.youtube.com
July 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Here is the Tasmanian Electoral Commission explaining Hare-Clark with chickens. Some of you people from easy maths jurisdictions may need it explained with chickens.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA6x...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA6x...
Reposted by Chris Monnox
Reposted by Chris Monnox
More “Things That Go By Train”. The Victorian Railways published this full page advertisement in The Sun newspaper on 28 May 1968.
#VictoriaRailways #RailwayHistory #Trains #Advertising
(VR News Letter, July 1968, p 108)
#VictoriaRailways #RailwayHistory #Trains #Advertising
(VR News Letter, July 1968, p 108)
July 9, 2025 at 5:32 AM
More “Things That Go By Train”. The Victorian Railways published this full page advertisement in The Sun newspaper on 28 May 1968.
#VictoriaRailways #RailwayHistory #Trains #Advertising
(VR News Letter, July 1968, p 108)
#VictoriaRailways #RailwayHistory #Trains #Advertising
(VR News Letter, July 1968, p 108)
This week I've read that Americans are worried about conscription and keen on buying groceries from the state. If so T. J. Ryan is their guy.
June 27, 2025 at 4:58 AM
This week I've read that Americans are worried about conscription and keen on buying groceries from the state. If so T. J. Ryan is their guy.
ACT 2000 is an interesting case. Two conservative independents forced a change of Chief Minister, but not of governing party, by saying they'd back a motion of no confidence against Kate Carnell.
Tasmania's Legislative Assembly is debating a motion of no confidence in premier Jeremy Rockliff (Lib). I expected this to be a nothingburger, opposition boys and girls crying wolf without the numbers to pass—but the numbers might be there!
So, when was the last time a govt fell on the floor? 1/10
So, when was the last time a govt fell on the floor? 1/10
June 4, 2025 at 5:54 AM
ACT 2000 is an interesting case. Two conservative independents forced a change of Chief Minister, but not of governing party, by saying they'd back a motion of no confidence against Kate Carnell.
Reposted by Chris Monnox
The ACT’s ‘missing middle’ planning reforms show that Canberra doesn’t have to choose between protecting the “garden city” and making housing more affordable. It can, and it should, do both.
Read the full op-ed below from Brendan Coates and myself.
grattan.edu.au/news/...
Read the full op-ed below from Brendan Coates and myself.
grattan.edu.au/news/...
Planning for more homes will create a better capital - Grattan Institute
Canberra doesn't have to choose between protecting the ‘garden city’ and building more affordable housing.
grattan.edu.au
May 26, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The ACT’s ‘missing middle’ planning reforms show that Canberra doesn’t have to choose between protecting the “garden city” and making housing more affordable. It can, and it should, do both.
Read the full op-ed below from Brendan Coates and myself.
grattan.edu.au/news/...
Read the full op-ed below from Brendan Coates and myself.
grattan.edu.au/news/...
Reposted by Chris Monnox
This Coalition rupture is a bit of a damp squib. Lacking in fanciful audacity, bloody mindedness and ‘used car salesman pitch’ energy - and caricature.
Not like those heady days of the Joh for PM campaign. “I’m a bushfire raging out of control” - there was a man who knew about Coalition-wrecking
Not like those heady days of the Joh for PM campaign. “I’m a bushfire raging out of control” - there was a man who knew about Coalition-wrecking
May 22, 2025 at 11:55 PM
This Coalition rupture is a bit of a damp squib. Lacking in fanciful audacity, bloody mindedness and ‘used car salesman pitch’ energy - and caricature.
Not like those heady days of the Joh for PM campaign. “I’m a bushfire raging out of control” - there was a man who knew about Coalition-wrecking
Not like those heady days of the Joh for PM campaign. “I’m a bushfire raging out of control” - there was a man who knew about Coalition-wrecking