This is going from the sublime to the ridiculous!
X-files, schisms, SBS and Government assasinations? We are not in Kansas anymore Toto!

FromTheSidelines, "..might entice me to actually cast a non-donkey vote for the first time since Kevin07"

The donkey vote is high.

Malcolm Turnbull should test the waters on removing compulsory voting.

I think steve101 is having a slightly different conversation - interesting but not really my cup of tea.

Dickybird: I agree that Malcolm has some appeal with the Green's voter base and quiet likely with those voting independent in the Eastern states - icing on the cake.

As for climate change - I am pleased that Malcolm is a believer. The vexed question is what to do about it, if anything. I certainly do not support policy options that put Australia at a competitive disadvantage with other nations. I also do not support tokenism in the initiative response space. If we are to pay to support environmentally better practice then it needs to make a difference.

Onthebeach: I support compulsory voting in Australia. Given our very small population I think it is our civic duty to participate in the election of our governments - everyone gets a say.

My donkey voting in the past few elections should not be interpreted as dissatisfaction with our electoral system, rather a complete dissatisfaction with the leadership and policy platforms of the major parties. Even if we had had voluntary voting from 2007 on-wards, I would still have exercised my right to vote and cast donkey votes.

Please don't use the Donkey vote. This gives too much to chance. Just write "No acceptable candidates" across your voting slip. It gives you much more satisfaction of a job well done !

Pauline is looking more moderate each day.

Pauline is certainly moderate compared to you Runner.

Thankfully, there remains no chance at all of her, or the dreadful policies she muttered, ever seeing the light of a political day again.

Most people are far too intelligent for that...