Assange to run for Australian senate: WikiLeaks (AFP)

[struggle4progress]

20. You should vote for the fifth option! Here's a link:

... With her October 2012 speech Gillard placed gender at the centre of Australian political discourse in a way that is rare, and perhaps unheard of in a major election ... In recent days the issue was thrown into a tailspin by her partner, Tim Mathieson, encouraging Australian men getting their prostates checked to choose a "small Asian female doctor", thus opening himself to accusations of sexism, racism and, indeed, heightism. But this remains an election where the leaders – despite Abbott's attempts to distance himself from the issue – are seen as occupying starkly different positions.

Abbott's stance on abortion, for instance – he has said that the current rate of abortion is "this generation's legacy of unutterable shame" and as health minister attempted to block access to RU486, the medical alternative to surgical abortion – has led to fears that as prime minister he would limit access to options and medical care ...

Australia's election in five subplots: from gender politics to Julian Assange
Julia Gillard's shock call of a 14 September election begins a long and gruelling campaign between two outspoken politicians
Peter Salmon
Thursday 31 January 2013 07.34 EST
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/31/australian-election-five-subplots