Compuslory voting in Australia

I hate the fact that we in Down Under have to vote. Does anybody know why it was made compulsory and are we the only country in the world to have compulsory voting?

Also, what do other aussies here think the turnout would be if voting was not compulsory on election day? I think we would struggle to get 30% turnout.

a reply to: Marcus069

why cant you just all write in yourselfs, which is what everyone should do. it would break the system

a reply to: Marcus069

I think it is a good idea you can do it by post can't you? it takes me 12 mins is that so hard? You can also spoil your vote slip If you want to protest.
Heck they even come to you If you physically can't manage it.
www.aec.gov.au...

a reply to: Marcus069

It's only a $20 fine if you don't vote

I would have to agree with you though; the turnout would be abysmal in this country, mostly because we're too damned lazy. In saying that though - I actually wanted to vote this year. Voted for minor parties and proud of it.

Apparently this election had more votes for minor parties than any other election year... one of these days something might actually come from it. (My Inner-Optimist speaking there.)

a reply to: TheKnightofDoom

why is it a good idea to be forced to do somthing by a broken system

originally posted by: TheKnightofDoom
You can also spoil your vote slip If you want to protest.

Hehehehe.... I just said that more people voted for minor parties in any other election year.... there were also more genitalia drawn upon the ballots than any other election year according to the media anyway.

ETA:
Though, apparently if you draw such a thing on your ballot or just leave it blank or write in your own name or whatever, vote goes towards the current party. So. Eh.

a reply to: DOCHOLIDAZE1

More people vote the more power people have.
Sorry you think it is all broken but this is the system we use at the moment If you want change more should vote gonna sound like my Granddad here but people died to give us a vote.

originally posted by: kaelci
a reply to: Marcus069

I would have to agree with you though; the turnout would be abysmal in this country, mostly because we're too damned lazy. In saying that though - I actually wanted to vote this year.

I think most ppl wouldnt turn up because their care factor would be zero!

a reply to: Marcus069

Maybe If people did start to care they would hold the politicians more accountable for their actions and start voting the right guys in and then wouldn't have to moan about how # it all is.

a reply to: TheKnightofDoom

except for the fact that it is proven on paper all around the world that voter fraud exists.

and the stuff that makes it on the news is just the tip of the iceberg. they show us a little as to hide the whole.

its like when a kid cops out to lesser crime to their parents as to get less scrutiny and punishment then what what they really would have got had they admitted to the the full crime.

and yes many died, but for a way differnt reason then you stated.

they were duped and they were used as cannon fodder to further an adgenda

I haven't voted since the Rudd thing went down. Our political system is a #ing joke.
But still not as bad as the US.

originally posted by: kaelci

originally posted by: TheKnightofDoom
You can also spoil your vote slip If you want to protest.

Hehehehe.... I just said that more people voted for minor parties in any other election year....

there were also more genitalia drawn upon the ballots than any other election year

according to the media anyway.

ETA:
Though, apparently if you draw such a thing on your ballot or just leave it blank or write in your own name or whatever, vote goes towards the current party. So. Eh.

What happens if dick pictures get the most votes ?

originally posted by: crazyewok

originally posted by: kaelci

originally posted by: TheKnightofDoom
You can also spoil your vote slip If you want to protest.

Hehehehe.... I just said that more people voted for minor parties in any other election year....

there were also more genitalia drawn upon the ballots than any other election year

according to the media anyway.

ETA:
Though, apparently if you draw such a thing on your ballot or just leave it blank or write in your own name or whatever, vote goes towards the current party. So. Eh.

What happens if dick pictures get the most votes ?

It would probably go on to form a better government than we've had here lately.

a reply to: crazyewok

If that were the case, current party stays in but at least we had the chance to let 'em know what we thought

originally posted by: kaelci
a reply to: Marcus069

It's only a $20 fine if you don't vote

Yeah, $20.... I became a citizen and that same year there was a state election... I used to move house every few months so mail didnt really work.. i didnt vote in the state election.. got the $20 fine to an old address.

couple of years later I was recieved my drivers licence rego bill... it said '' pending my suspension ''

turns out.. i got that $20 fine.. and the reminder.. and the reminder.. and the collection agency... and the court request.. all to one of my old addresses.... and they then suspended my drivers licence.

I was glad I received my bill!

a reply to: Marcus069

I would venture a guess and say it's because we have such a relatively small population that not enough people would decide to vote if given the option. I doubt the turnout would be even 30%. More like 10%-20% max.

a reply to: kaelci

Likewise I voted for minor parties and numbered each box individually, got to choose where those preferences go. You know what's funny though, they still issue pencils instead of biros in 2016!. If that ain't fishy I don't know what is.

I'm neither here nor there about compulsory voting...it's a farce anyway, pre-selections, leadership dumping...you get the picture.

a reply to: TheKnightofDoom

but people died to give us a vote.

People are still dying, being sent to "liberate" Iraq, Afghanistan of their assets. Never did find weapons of mass destruction did we?. The Oligarchy voted amongst themselves to the spoils, we never got to vote...just pay the "defence" bill.

a reply to: DOCHOLIDAZE1

its like when a kid cops out to lesser crime to their parents as to get less scrutiny and punishment then what what they really would have got had they admitted to the the full crime.

and yes many died, but for a way differnt reason then you stated.

they were duped and they were used as cannon fodder to further an adgenda

So true!!!

a reply to: TheKnightofDoom
Sorry to say mate but those people died because a bunch of inbreds-in-power couldn't keep their petty family squabbles to themselves.