The Bloc

The 3rd NGSpy Ministry, commonly known as 'The Bloc', is the federal executive Government of the Republic of Australia led by Prime Minister NGSpy. The government consists of members primarily from the Social Democratic Party, with other Cabinet positions being held by the Independent Member for Sydney, the Country Labor Party, the Australian Democrats, and the Australian Republican Party.

The Bloc came to government following the dissolution of the Second Griffo Ministry, following the departure of the Member for Sydney and the Member for Hotham to the Crossbench. Following a week of negotiations, the finalised Coalition agreement was released on the 26th of October 2020, and the current Ministry were sworn into their Cabinet positions.

Before Government
Initially, it looked likely that some form of general centre-left Coalition would be formed, with may in the media suggesting the clearest path to government lied in a Coalition of the SDP, Democrats, CLP and one of the two Independents. However, on the 10th of October 2020, both Independents shocked many by teaming up with the Liberals to enter into a government, with both entering into the Ministry alongside.

Out of this resignation to the Opposition and crossbench emerged the first version of the Bloc. It formed as a combination of the major Opposition parties at the start of the 18th term, namely the Social Democrats, Australian Democrats and Country Labor Party. At this time, there was no unified Opposition agreement, instead only a rough unity against the Griffo Government. At this time, the Social Democrats served as the Official Opposition party, due to their majority of seats amongst the non-governing parties, and served as the unofficial head of the Coalition alongside that.

Initial Formation
On the 18th of October, the then-Independent Member for Hotham MBOM left the Liberal-led Coalition, citing their displeasure with their Ministry be undercut and split in two, with half remaining with a Liberal member. Later that day, the Independent Member for Sydney Explosivo2002 also departed the government, although his reason was not eminently clear at that time. That left the Liberals with only 6 seats in the Parliament; two below the requirement to form a majority government.

Immediately thereafter, Coalition discussions begun to become more formal then they had been since the election, with negotiations re-opening with the two Independent Members as well. In short time, the Coalition was informally agreed too, although discussions would drag on until the final document was released on the 26th of October, 8 days after the Griffo Government lost the majority, as well as on the day that same government was ousted by a Vote of No Confidence in the House.

Super Saturday
Entering into mid-November, the Bloc looked stable, albeit with a major issue looming over them in the form of the Super Saturday by-elections. With 4 seats, no one party could rest on their laurels, as all Bloc members save for the Member for Sydney stood a chance of strengthening their position inside the government and the Parliament as a whole with a victory or two. However, their was a general sense of unknown entering the election, giving the change of government and the Freemantle Crisis having both occurred since the last time Australians went to the polls.

This issue was compounded with a lack of any reliable public polling, leaving many inside and outside the government none the wiser as to just how the government would fare come the 22nd. The prevailing feeling in the media was that the government stood a chance, but with history often seeing governments lose by-elections, many did note that the Liberals could be returned to power with a slim majority if they swept the board.

Entering into the weekend, the Bloc had various candidates running the 4 seats in play; those being Canberra, Nicholls, Mayo and Lingiari. Nicholls saw the SDP and CLP both field candidates, Lingiari saw the CLP and Democrats both in the running, and Canberra saw only one Bloc party running, that being the Democrats. In Mayo, however, every available part affiliation ran for the seat, in what was seen as a kind of free-for-all race, with no one Bloc part nominated to receive the majority of the votes.

Come election nights, even those inside the Bloc appeared surprised when the results rolled in, as they had a net gain of +1 seat, failing to retain Lingiari while winning Mayo, Nicholls and Canberra. Following the official certification of results, the Bloc were left with a majority of 10 seats in the House, leaving their majority status firmly unquestioned, and giving them a firm stability in the Parliament.

The Coalition Agreement
The Coalition Agreement, published on the 26th of October, is the foundational document of the Coalition, and stipulates the major roles and policies that each member will possess during the course of the Coalition agreement.

Social Democratic Party
From the Agreement the Social Democratic Party has the tasks and duties of maintaining the government and its policies, maintaining the promises of the other parties and to maintain the agreement.

The SDP is the Senior Coalition partner.

Country Labor Party
From the Agreement the Country Labor Party has the tasks and duties of assisting the SDP in maintaining the government and its policies and to focus on matters related to rural Australians as a special focus area.

The CLP is a Junior Coalition partner.

Australian Democrats
From the Agreement the Australian Democrats has the tasks and duties of ensuring complete accountability of the government in the coalition and to focus on matters related to mental health, the environment and political accountability as a special focus area.

The AD is a Junior Coalition partner.

Republicans
From the Agreement the Republican Party has the tasks and duties of ensuring the complete accountability of the government and to focus on matters of states and local governments.

The Republicans have a supply and confidence relationship with the government.

Explosivo2002
From the Agreement Explosivo2002 has the tasks and duties of holding the government into accountant to focus on matters of Education and Training. He has a supply and confidence relationship with the government, while still possessing a free vote on introduced bills and a Cabinet position as the Member for Education and Training