Can I just have confirmation that as PR but not citizens we cannot vote?

I know this applied when we were temp on 457....but do only citizens vote.

Strange that we have to live by the laws and pay the taxes - but can't vote them out? When people in prison for up to 3 year sentances have to vote!

Nope, no vote. Citizens only.

No, you can't vote as a PR if you're not already on an electoral roll.

PRs could vote once. I did many times when I was just a PR. Rules were changed back in the 80s so only citizens could be added to the roll, but if you were already on it at the time they didn't take you off.

Same as any student, guest worker, working holidaymaker. Taxation without representation.
IIRC, it was actually that PRs who were also (British) "subjects" could vote but the books were closed. There is a small and dwindling class of PR Commonwealth Citizens who are entitled to vote - there was an article in the press a few months ago about it because the Liberals (maybe?) were trying to disenfranchised, but the issue was dropped presumably because it was a statistical insignificance.

And if that's a problem, one is free to go back to home country where one has citizenship. Or if permanently admitted to Australia, become an Australian citizen when eligible.

25 January 1984 was the cut-off date and and I'm not sure if even PR was required at the time.
http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_v...h_subjects.htm

Your lucky, I wish I didnt have to vote, to quote south park, when the choice is between a giant douche and a turd sandwhich, thats no choice at all

Bring the monster raving looney party to australia I say, at least they are honest that they are full of crap unlike all these other politicians who crawl out the woodwork when theres an election. Full of promises about how they will make things better in your area then they disapear again and nothing changes.

Yep agree. Or if you want, be on the foreign electoral register here for your country. I am on the UK's (but only got my postal vote on the day of election for what its worth), but am also an Aus citizen. Its not hard to do, just a few months wait and a test. Worth it IMO.

I remember years ago I asked an Australian I worked with in London if he was allowed to vote in the forthcoming elections. He was absolutely outraged that I would even ask him the question on the grounds of he had to pay tax and therefore of course he was allowed to vote. I kind of agree with him.

Having said that, I am also glad that I might as well just switch off to this election news, one general election a year is quite enough.

Paying tax isn't the qualification in the UK though. EU and Commonwealth citizens who are resident in the UK are allowed to vote...so for example an American non-citizen can't. I don't think EU citizens can vote in general elections either.

I know it isn't the qualification in the UK. I am saying there is some logic in the whole "no taxation without representation" statement.

Just spoil the paper - they can fine you if you don't turn up to vote, but they have no control over what you actually put on the ballot paper

You can vote as a PR.

Just find a neighbour who doesn't want to vote and ask him if you can vote in his stead.

That was just a call to revolution in the American uprising. It applied to the community rather than the individual. As only land owners got to vote after the revolution I'm sure there were plenty of people paying taxes without vote. And it could be argued that representation and voting are not exactly the same thing.

thats interesting, I think I heard someone else mention that but wasnt sure if it was right.

So if I draw a nice picture of a bunch of rabbits attacking a politican or something, instead of ticking a box then thats like me abstaining from voting?

...or put a '1' against every candidate and your paper will be binned.