PREMIUM FEATURES

Bubble theory, the Chinese and the Greens

THE Greens will almost certainly trounce the Democrats on October 9, taking the protest vote plus a large chunk of traditional Democrat support on the Left. The Dems have tried to cover all the usual bases – they even have a one-legged vegan standing (excuse the pun) in Victoria. But all the signs suggest the Greens may soon hold the balance of power in the Senate, which means the Coalition’s next term in government will be hard going. Legislative stalemate is a real possibility.