I think your right cerhob, the secret is out and its been proven the system can be manipulated, in my state of WA, the sports party candidate got 1900 votes and got elected. You can buy 1900 votes in a state of 1.5 million voters.
I was thinking today, one could start a very middle of the line political party, one which advocates something everyone can agree with in a round about way, like the 'Sports Party' and you end up with the preferences from the fringe parties on both sides of the fence, you'd end up getting elected.
If Abbott doesn't make sorting out Senate voting in his first term, I can guarantee 100+ parties and 200+ candidates in 2016.
