Australian viewers pick Senate candidates

By Phil Mercer
BBC correspondent in Sydney

The six hopefuls will fight to win a seat as an independent

An Australian reality television show has picked six people to contest the next federal election.

They have been chosen by viewers and will go on to fight for a seat as independents in the Senate.

The balance of power in the upper house of parliament is often held by minority parties and independents.

Pundits have said at least one of these TV candidates - an anti-child abuse campaigner - has an outside chance of success.

Vote for Me has taken reality TV in Australia into new territory, away from its usual offerings of aspiring pop stars, charismatic gardeners and hapless renovators.

Potential contestants entered this political beauty contest by sending a short video manifesto to a commercial television network. The messages were broadcast and a panel of judges narrowed the field down to 18 people.

Viewers then had their say, selecting the six winning candidates.

They will each fight for a seat in the Senate at the next election, which could be just a few months away.

The Vote for Me contestants will have the advantage of a well-publicised campaign. They will also have A$10,000 (US$6,800) in funds provided by the television station.

One relatively familiar face has emerged from this prime-time selection process.

Hetty Johnston is well known in Australia for her campaigns against child abuse. Some observers believe that out of the six candidates, she has the best chance of success.

However, Ms Johnston has conceded that she has no formal policies other than protecting children.

The mainstream parties have condemned the television contest for trivialising politics.