Remember folks voting in Australia is not compulsory, turning up and having your name crossed off the list is (compulsory).

Stern
Thanks for the party promo.
You a liberal voter strewth ! who would have thunk it?

;-)

Severin,
Too true too true. You can lead "a horse to water...."

At least that way it can be truly said we get the government we deserve.
Those who deliberately don't vote have the similar moral thinking as to not warn someone of a crumbling cliff edge.

Yet it were their spouse that went over they would sue the person for not warning or DOING something to stop it. Councils cop that often.
It's called criminal negligence.
If one doesn't do the MINIMUM to support democracy (voting ) isn't that negligence ?

Examinator

>> If one doesn't do the MINIMUM to support democracy (voting ) isn't that negligence ? <<

I agree it is negligence. And, therefore, will not be wasting my vote.

In fact, I believe this federal election is of even greater import than the last, when getting rid of Howard was the primary goal. This time, it is a choice between a sustainable economy, or regression to a business-as-usual theocracy.

I will be voting below the line to make MY preferences work in the senate - even though it will be for only half the senate and this means the Greens. There is no-one else and putting the Abbott led Libs where they belong (last) for letting our infrastructure decline for 11 years, putting sick people on unemployment benefits instead of appropriate aid, tormenting innocents in mandatory detention, exploiting workers in work(non)choices, I could go on, but those of similar inclination to myself don't need proselytising.

Examinator,

Do give me some credit for deciding that my vote(in the lower house) will not be crucial. I live in very safe Liberal seat. The Labor candidate is all but invisible, while the Liberal candidate has plied us with much paraphernalia and is very high profile. It might be defeatist but I know which candidate is going to win. That knowledge, plus the odium of the campaign has brought me to my decision.
My Senate vote, however, will be utilized to vote for the Greens as I like the idea of them holding the balance of power. I have voted this way in the Senate in the last four elections and the Green candidates I have voted for have been elected.
So you see, it is not just mindless disinterest

Poirot

I am in a marginal seat which has candidates from Labor/Libs through to the Sex Party, so I feel my lower house vote will count for something this year.

Cheers