Australian voting

SammysMom · July 29th, 2006, 02:07 AM

Is it true that if you dont vote in Australia you get fined like $11? Just heard it on a television show. You have to send in a form that proves you voted? WOW

A*O · July 29th, 2006, 02:13 AM

Yes - voting is mandatory here and you can be fined if you don't (I think it's more like $20 though, ohhhh I'm scared). However, I really don't think they bother to check too carefully - I think it's done by ticking your name off the voting register when you to to vote - but I bet in a close-run election they would track down the non-voters and make sure they put their X in the box. The other way to avoid voting of course is to 'spoil' your ballot paper. Nobody would even know because so far how you vote is still anonymous.

SammysMom · July 29th, 2006, 02:15 AM

Very interesting, thanks A*O

EvilMonkey · August 27th, 2006, 07:58 PM

Its around $100 now.

Its rare to hear of any prosecution for it though.

We have too many elections anyway. Statistically we are the most represented nation in the world.

We have 3 Teirs of Govt. Local, State and Federal.

Take into account our entire popluation is around 20 Mil.

So thats equiv to the state of New York being its own country and having its about 400 Mayors, 6 Governors and a President.

We have more politicians per capita than any other country.

My state alone ( New South Wales ) has:

152 Local Councils
50 Lower House members
12 Senate Members.

Total Poplution of 6.7 Million.

So thats equiv to the State of Washington having 152 Mayors, 50 Congresspeople, and 12 Senators.

A*O · August 27th, 2006, 08:24 PM

^^^ We have a Monarchy too so technically that's 4 tiers of Govt and every one of them is stuffed full of honourable men and women of integrity, honesty and morality.

EvilMonkey · August 27th, 2006, 09:07 PM

Yes. That adds Governors and governor-generals too

Grimmlok · August 28th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Mandatory voting doesn't mean that the issues are understood.. you'll get a whack of idiots who don't give a damn just pulling any old lever, throwing the election.

Sojiita · August 28th, 2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

.. you'll get a whack of idiots who don't give a damn just pulling any old lever, throwing the election.

Why then it will be just like AMARICUH!!!!

Grimmlok · August 28th, 2006, 02:29 PM

No no those idiots never bother to vote, so it's pretty representative

A*O · August 28th, 2006, 05:27 PM

I strongly disagree with mandatory voting. Choosing whether to vote or not is fundamental to the democratic process IMO and if turnouts are extremely poor that sends a message in itself. I don't know what the stats are for non-voting prosecutions but I suspect the courts have better things to do and the Govt wouldn't want the publicity.

Grimmlok · August 28th, 2006, 09:33 PM

Nah. Everyone should have to vote, but if you dislike the parties then spoil your stupid ballot.

Sleuth · August 29th, 2006, 07:04 AM

Its stupid not to vote, whats with all the people who bitch about Bush but don't vote. I mean come on vote for Bush's opposition, even if the opposition is a complete dickhead he/she can't do much worse then Bush.

I have the same theory for Australia please people vote for anything other than johnny howard!!

A*O · August 29th, 2006, 07:38 AM

Interesting (and unique) aspect of Aussie government which is an uneasy blend of 'Westminster' style parliament, but with a US style elected lower AND upper house. So at the moment we have all the State Govts controlled by the ALP (Australian Labor Party) but the Federal Govt is firmly controlled by the Liberals (ie, conservatives). It's a bit like saying that all the US States are controlled by the Democrats locally but in Congress/Senate it's the Republicans in charge, including the President (or John Howard in our case).

Grimmlok · August 29th, 2006, 12:04 PM

Wait, the Liberals are conservatives? eh?

A*O · August 29th, 2006, 05:24 PM

^^^ Yes - the irony isn't lost on anyone here either.