Compulsory Voting

Nik3260

I am a dual citizen American. We need compulsory voting. Without it people refuse to vote out of fatigue or indifference and it leads to hyper-radical lunatics like Tr*mp getting into office.

Peter 31648010

I would vote from a sense of duty. I believe it should remain compulsory as it is shown in countries where its not compulsory its the non-voters that complain the most with who is governing. It is democratic and whe everyone votes it is truly representative of the peoples wishes.

s

I would vote as every vote is counted and you can make a difference and have your say.

Leanne6

I don't believe I have enough knowledge of politics to make a worthwhile vote, but if voting wasn't compulsory it's likely that only a certain section of the community would vote and therefore the political party wouldn't be a true representation of the people.
I probably wouldn't vote if I didn't have to unless there was an issue I was passionate about. But then I also shouldn't have the right to complain if the ruling party isn't to my liking

Genie11

Yes, I'd definitely vote! What a privilege it is to be able to vote! If you don't vote, I'm not sure that you have the right to criticise and admonish the government of the day. Nonetheless, Australians are becoming incredibly critical of government - (not just in Australia - actually there is a rise in disillusionment with governments world-wide) but, put your hand up if you want to become a politician!!! I certainly don't. There is this underlying feeling that because I voted, I should get what I want! It just doesn't work that way.
In Australia, it is important to understand why voting is compulsory. Back in the fledgling Commonwealth of Australia, the population was very small and so to get a mandate, it was deemed prudent to ask everyone to vote . . . . the men, that was, at the time!! Australian women led the world in fighting for women's rights, among those rights, the right to vote. Eventually it was a battle won!
Today there are millions, make that billions, of people who get absolutely no say whatsoever in the running of their country. They would give their eye-teeth to be able to vote. It is not a huge strain or drain on each individual these days to cast a vote in an election. If the right to vote was taken away from us, we would have something to complain about.
So, YES! I would definitely vote. How lucky we are to be able to do so.

alkg

I would vote regardless of whether it was compulsory.

I think there are downsides to either argument. If it is compulsory, those with low knowledge or low interest are forced to vote with potentially negative consequences. My hesitation in supporting a change to voluntary voting would be what to me is a clear warning signal in US voting, where the voluntary nature of voting breeds the capacity for voter suppression, particularly among those less fortunate or less connected.

PGS

Preference voting is a major scam.
There should be easily available lists showing what happens to the votes if the person you vote for doesn't cut it.

Debbie

I have always thought that if someone doesn't want to vote, they may not vote with the best intentions :/

super88

It’s compulsory to make the effort to turn up. You do not have to fill in the ballot paper if that is how you feel. Registering should be optional at 17 , compulsory at 20 and optional after age 70.

mumby

People would vote, but only the ones who actually new what was going on, so it should be voluntary.

3lions

People would vote, but only the ones who actually new what was going on, so it should be voluntary.

Yes, I tend to agree, it makes sense to me that it should be voluntary.
As you say if people are not interested why vote.
I'd like to know the stats on people who turn 18 actually enrol to vote?
Then the stats of people who are enrolled, yet don't vote & hence get a $40 fine I think it is?

I mean the whole system is a joke.
Up to you to enroll, change your address let the election committee know?
In today's society do they seriously people would actually do that.

People used to respect the police!

They are not going to do the right thing? Plus they wouldn't pay the fine, just like in everyday life.

Appreciate your reply :)
Enjoy your day!

Venso

Yes, however there was a time when I was younger when I didn’t care much for who was running the country and likely wouldn’t have voted if it weren’t for my parents.

Now as I’m older I’m more interested in what governments do with tax payer income tax within the country. Can you really say that “it makes no difference anyway” confidently? How do you know that all the votes don’t matter.

You can say you don’t care or it doesn’t matter all you want but if one side is planning on doing something that you don’t like, you’re more likely to vote for the other side. Even if you don’t know much about it you’re bound to have an opinion because in the end. You want what’s best for you and your family.

3lions

Unfortunately we are required to keep up with the surging technological advancements or we get left behind. More, I can’t imagine the frustration of you and your mother about it all.

Pill...

Completely agree, with your views on pill testing.

Thanks again for your kindness.

You might find now, replying like you have to me you might get some surveys.
I usually get couple payments a year.

Thanks again, your a breath of fresh air.
All the very best to you & where ever your future plans take you.

Good health to you & your family :)

Venso

Oh, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I actually do wear glasses, put I think just for show!
No seriously, my eyes do give me trouble. Yes 100% Australian. 53 years young ;)...

Unfortunately we are required to keep up with the surging technological advancements or we get left behind. More, I can’t imagine the frustration of you and your mother about it all.

Pill testing in my opinion is condoning the use of drugs when they’re illegal so I don’t understand why they would bother with it. I don’t do drugs myself so I don’t really mind too much whether it happens or not, but just don’t take drugs if they’re potentially dangerous? I feel like that’s a pretty simple task to complete.

Cigarettes are laughable to me, something I will never ever even try.

Alcohol is currently a big part of my life because Im young and it’s legal, maybe I’d do other drugs if they were legal who knows, maybe in a parallel universe.

Lovely speaking with you, I won’t be using this platform any more because honestly I registered for the paid surveys but it doesn’t seem to be working for me. Have a lovely rest of your life and I hope your mum gets up to date and kills it on social media.

3lions

Whoops, I think I posted it again.

Yeah it’s okay I try to read things with no tone of voice in the nicest way possible ;).

Yeah honestly god knows what actually goes on in the...

Oh, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I actually do wear glasses, put I think just for show!
No seriously, my eyes do give me trouble. Yes 100% Australian. 53 years young ;) female.

It really is outrageous the amount of money spent, like you say most of it on social media, which brings me to people like my mum 76, only the last couple of years got a mobile phone.
Basic flip phone, no internet

Unfortunately her generation are being left behind, because they assume that everyone is connected online. I do most of things for her, but yesterday
for instance, she thought she would ring Myer (Adelaide) to see if they'd be open over Easter Saturday, Sunday.

She rang me after absolutely frustrated because she couldn't actually get to ask someone, press 1.for shoes, press 1 for this brand of shoes. Eventually she pressed a number & was connected to the shoe department & asked the person actually working.

They are being left behind, bad luck for you if you don't use a smartphone.
I think it's wrong & lacks respect for the elderly population.

I definitely think you & your views are interesting, just to answer & reply in a nice friendly manner, it's lovely.

As your obviously in NSW, you you think pill testing is a major issue? As if what I've read, they're saying Labour didn't have the best leader, plus I think his comments about the Chinese didn't exactly help him.

I'm not a fan of pill testing, I'm not old fashioned, I've smoked weed, that's about as far as I went.
I do struggle to understand why young people need to take something that contains god knows what, just to have a good time?
I've heard some say this, I don't think anything will stop them taking whatever, they'll take it regardless.
I does stagger me, when I hear the unfortunate death as a result of taking something.
The parents will say, " oh, they were such a smart child, the whole world in front of them"

Surely if they were smart, they wouldn't do it.

I know it happens in every state, I think the real drug problem is the legal drug alcohol.
The damage & cost to the ever failing health system is awful.
I no they'll never change that, because of all the money they make from it.
Similarly to cigarettes, they could be well who knows how much a packet, people will still smoke.

I'm astounded how people can afford to buy them.

Anyway there's my 2 cent's worth, I do sound like a older person don't I?

I just don't understand some choices people make. Sure I've make poor life choices, but can say hand on heart, never put my life on the line.
It means to much to me & especially my mum.

Thanks again for being so nice

Venso

I totally agree, they could increase the age for voting.

You certainly have to find out the information yourself. The media have their own agenda's to a point & sometimes give a one sided...

Whoops, I think I posted it again.

Yeah it’s okay I try to read things with no tone of voice in the nicest way possible ;).

Yeah honestly god knows what actually goes on in the politicians minds. In regards to advertisement, I only saw advertisement for labor and how bad the liberals are but never really spoke about why they’re better? Definitely don’t need to be spending that much a day on inefficient targeting, seeing as they mostly advertisement on social media platforms that don’t seen to reach generation Z eyes.

I agree, maybe they think they’ve got it in the bag. Definitely am interested to see the outcome of this with almost all of my generation with absolute hate for the liberals because of the restrictions on festivals. Will be interesting to see whether they actually band together and outweigh the older folk (unlikely) but they can have a good crack.

I didn’t get to see that episode of Q&A but I did see the final debate before the last vote and labor didn’t seem to have it together, almost sounded like they were following in liberal footsteps.

English background 3lions?

Venso

I can say in (my opinion) 100% it makes no difference.
They all promise you they'll do this & never follow through.
They are giving people like my mum a OAP (old age pensioner) $75 One off...

Taking politicians on 100% of their word is a fools game, unfortunately the best we can do is trust the system and try to pick the lesser of two evils.

Whilst saying you don’t completely know what goes on behind closed doors, how could I say I know either, and maybe votes don’t matter at all, should that mean that as citizens of the country, we shouldn’t try at all and let the politicians and the groups that donate to them control it all?

Unfortunately as the older population increases, the funds required to take care of them increase at an acelerating rate. It does make a difficult situation as they grew up with the mentality that the government will take care of them after dedicating their lives to companies and now it seems like they are pushing for self sustainability after retirement which puts people such as your mother (sorry to hear if she’s struggling) in a bad place.

In my opinion, you have to play with the hand you’ve been dealt and I know that’s what I’m going to do to ensure my parents are also taken care of, if not by the government, then by me. Which is why I think you should vote in your own self interest (obviously) so that you can use the political landscape to your advantage.

Yes, the younger generation mentality and addiction to social media irritates me profusely. As a 20 year old myself amongst it all, I die a little inside when people say they don’t know who the prime minister is. And if they do hear about politics it’s propaganda against Gladys and how she’s ruining fun in NSW. Unfortunately you only find out about what’s going on if you seek it out yourself which to your point, the younger generation doesn’t care about.

Would you say perhaps instead of making it voluntary in a democratic country, maybe we increase the age for when it becomes compulsory so that when people are forced to vote they will be more mature and knowledgeable?

Venso

I can say in (my opinion) 100% it makes no difference.
They all promise you they'll do this & never follow through.
They are giving people like my mum a OAP (old age pensioner) $75 One off...

Taking politicians on 100% of their word is a fools game, unfortunately the best we can do is trust the system and try to pick the lesser of two evils.

Whilst saying you don’t completely know what goes on behind closed doors, how could I say I know either, and maybe votes don’t matter at all, should that mean that as citizens of the country, we shouldn’t try at all and let the politicians and the groups that donate to them control it all?

Unfortunately as the older population increases, the funds required to take care of them increase at an acelerating rate. It does make a difficult situation as they grew up with the mentality that the government will take care of them after dedicating their lives to companies and now it seems like they are pushing for self sustainability after retirement which puts people such as your mother (sorry to hear if she’s struggling) in a bad place.

In my opinion, you have to play with the hand you’ve been dealt and I know that’s what I’m going to do to ensure my parents are also taken care of, if not by the government, then by me. Which is why I think you should vote in your own self interest (obviously) so that you can use the political landscape to your advantage.

Yes, the younger generation mentality and addiction to social media irritates me profusely. As a 20 year old myself amongst it all, I die a little inside when people say they don’t know who the prime minister is. And if they do hear about politics it’s propaganda against Gladys and how she’s ruining fun in NSW. Unfortunately you only find out about what’s going on if you seek it out yourself which to your point, the younger generation doesn’t care about.

Would you say perhaps instead of making it voluntary in a democratic country, maybe we increase the age for when it becomes compulsory so that when people are forced to vote they will be more mature and knowledgeable?

3lions

Taking politicians on 100% of their word is a fools game, unfortunately the best we can do is trust the system and try to pick the lesser of two evils.

Whilst saying you don’t completely...

I totally agree, they could increase the age for voting.

You certainly have to find out the information yourself. The media have their own agenda's to a point & sometimes give a one sided view point.

I want to say this with... In no way I want to offend you, you are certainly the exception. I would know way have expected you to be in your 20's. It's refreshing to speak to you. You're parents must be so proud of you. To be honest. I was concerned at what I wrote, the reply would not be so nice. It's very interesting to get your perspective & thankyou for your words about my mum, who worked her whole life, paid her taxes like most of us, but unfortunately her health forced her to stop working. I'm her only child so I do as much as I can to help her. It's difficult to see the government not do as much as I think they could.

I was interested watching Q&A the other night. Couple of people told the treasurer, that Labour policies regarding cancer treatment has swayed their votes & would the coalition consider matching it. He couldn't even give a straight answer, I know they never really speak the same language as us, still it was interesting. I agree the donation situation is complex, plus the amount spent on advertising a day is staggering. Surely Scott Morrison should just go to the Governal General & dissolve the parliament & call an election.
Why wait?

Venso

I can say in (my opinion) 100% it makes no difference.
They all promise you they'll do this & never follow through.
They are giving people like my mum a OAP (old age pensioner) $75 One off...

Taking politicians on 100% of their word is a fools game, unfortunately the best we can do is trust the system and try to pick the lesser of two evils.

Whilst saying you don’t completely know what goes on behind closed doors, how could I say I know either, and maybe votes don’t matter at all, should that mean that as citizens of the country, we shouldn’t try at all and let the politicians and the groups that donate to them control it all?

Unfortunately as the older population increases, the funds required to take care of them increase at an acelerating rate. It does make a difficult situation as they grew up with the mentality that the government will take care of them after dedicating their lives to companies and now it seems like they are pushing for self sustainability after retirement which puts people such as your mother (sorry to hear if she’s struggling) in a bad place.

In my opinion, you have to play with the hand you’ve been dealt and I know that’s what I’m going to do to ensure my parents are also taken care of, if not by the government, then by me. Which is why I think you should vote in your own self interest (obviously) so that you can use the political landscape to your advantage.

Yes, the younger generation mentality and addiction to social media irritates me profusely. As a 20 year old myself amongst it all, I die a little inside when people say they don’t know who the prime minister is. And if they do hear about politics it’s propaganda against Gladys and how she’s ruining fun in NSW. Unfortunately you only find out about what’s going on if you seek it out yourself which to your point, the younger generation doesn’t care about.

Would you say perhaps instead of making it voluntary in a democratic country, maybe we increase the age for when it becomes compulsory so that when people are forced to vote they will be more mature and knowledgeable?

3lions

Yes, however there was a time when I was younger when I didn’t care much for who was running the country and likely wouldn’t have voted if it weren’t for my parents.

Now as I’m older I’m...

I can say in (my opinion) 100% it makes no difference.
They all promise you they'll do this & never follow through.
They are giving people like my mum a OAP (old age pensioner) $75 One off payment towards her electricity bill.
Just so happens this will happen before the election. Trying to but votes from older Australians. A lot of younger people surveyed didn't even know who the Prime minister was. So don't hang ya hat on this generation voting because of policies. If it's not on anti social media. They wouldn't have a clue!
My opinion again. Could surely don't believe what they say & vote accordingly?