renth

I agree. True liberty is the freedom not to vote if you don't want to.

Amazulu

you don't have to

Zen10

I looked into this. It's a myth that you only have to attend and not vote. The legislation says that you have literally to vote and put your paper in the ballot box, but because it is a secret ballot (an Australian invention, apparently), there is no way for them to determine who doesn't vote or who spoils their vote. I suppose the choice is ours. I still don't support compulsory voting because a low turnout is a way for a government to get the message that the people feel there is no choice. Australian politicians can never get this message because there is always around 95% turnout.

Amazulu

Draw a big knob on your paper as per post #23 and you've voted

old.sparkles

If everyone that was not happy submitted a spoilt paper, surely they would get the message the same as low turn out?

Zen10

A vote for "none of the above" To be honest, I'm sure at the time I'll just end up voting for someone.

Zen10

I know they collect them, but I've not seen any stats on it, just that turnout is 95%. How many have a graphic facsimile of make genitalia drawn on them seems not to be covered by the official stats for some reason...

Swerv-o

Yes, low turn out is an expression of voter apathy, which should be considered a reflection on the policies of the parties. By removing this mode of feedback, you are essentially passing a proxy endorsement of all party policies.

I also think that the preferencing system makes a mockery of your vote here as well. You have to be VERY careful, else your vote will head off and represent some party that you wouldn't have dreamed of voting for.


S

jackieh23

It means I think your action is a cop out.

You are entitled to not vote, just pay the fine and keep your mouth shut about how the country is run because you had your chance to be involved and you chose not to.

Edited to add - as there were a few more posts - informal voting is also a cop out and downright silly as far as I am concerned. You took the time to turn up, have your name checked off and put a paper in the box then at least do something constructive with it!

renth

Well I do, because I'll get a fine if I don't.

PS I always vote and will even if it wasn't compulsory. I was thinking of standing this time, not because I want to be a politician but to me it's better to stand than to vote for people you don't want to vote for. Then I saw that I'd have to pay a load of money to do it so I didn't bother.

renth

You're not entitled to not vote. It's like saying I'm entitled to punch someone I don't like in the face if I just pay the fine afterwards

Zen10

Nicely put.

Amazulu

draw a knob as discussed - with hairy balls

jackieh23

You are correct - entitled is the wrong word.

Although to use renth's analogy, I sometimes feel that smacking someone around the head would make me feel better...


I'm voting, I would whether I had to or not as I'm interested in what happens to this country. I am delusional enough to think that maybe, maybe my vote can/will make a difference. I hope that whoever gets in IS the best of a woeful bunch...

bikeframed

Do they stop advertising government positions during an election? Admittedly I haven't looked in a few months but this is the first time I have gone to the Geoscience Australia website and there has been no current vacancies: http://www.ga.gov.au/jobs/current-vacancies.html