Paul, WTF is wrong with you? Our electoral system is quite possibly the best in the world, so why do you want to waste your vote? Even if you see no policy difference between the government and opposition, you can still vote against the government to punish them for rorting (for example).

from the bottom up,

Aidan, WTF is wrong with me, nothing. Put simply I believe our voting system can be improved by allowing optional preferential voting. The voter should be give the option in federal elections, as in state elections, to choose a one only candidate, or a partial list of candidates, or the entire list in order of preference. What's wrong with that.

Yuyutsu, if paying for vaccination is the overriding consideration that determines your vote, then you should be able to vote only for candidates that support a "pay for vaccination" policy. The problem with the party system is although the local candidate may personally agree with you, he or she is bound by party policy.

Indy, there is no legal requirement to cast a formal vote, what is required is you must simply present and have your name "crossed off" and place the ballot paper in the box provided. Do that you have completed your obligation. You are given the opportunity to vote nothing more. How you exercise that opportunity is up to you.

DD, I'm a pacifist so I really can't go along with the bullet idea.

Foxy, again I am in the same boat as you, totally agree. The problem is I don't think at the moment the Coalition or Labor are up to the task of government, so why ultimately vote for either. Both the informal vote and minor party/independent vote has been growing at recent elections. I think there is a general dissatisfaction with the major parties. On the leadership for me Morrison is nothing more than a smoke and mirrors man, and Albanese is the worse Labor opposition leader since Arthur Calwell, Arthur was so bad someone tried to give him a DD style vote with a bullet.

I'm a pacifist
Paul1405,
If you're a pacifist then I'd qualify as a Saint !

individual

*… Informal voting is akin to treason ! People should not be permitted to promote it, they should be fined...*

What is there to misunderstand about your straightforward comment above?

You don’t accept any positives from voting informal. Seems to me the meaning behind what you were saying.

If that is your position, then I don’t agree with it; as I said in my reply.

There are worse things than voting informal, and thank the good Lord for ICAC.

Now the ICAC broom is sweeping away the criminals in SA parliament.
Can’t you see how your vote actually facilitates administrative crime.

The criminal activity at the Local Government level, is overseen by their State partners in crime.
For the minuscule worth of a vote, why not simply install the Mafia ( which I have no doubt are already imbedded), and remove the facades of the booth.

An informal vote is a protest against high level criminal activity, which is destroying the fabric of our once reliable and trustworthy Governments

Dan.

Dan

Paul, that belief is one thing, but it doesn't justify throwing away your vote.

As for whether OPV would be better, maybe it would and maybe it wouldn't. But I expect it would adversely affect your favoured party most. Have you checked to see whether there are any significant differences in the Greens' vote at State and Federal level?

I like the Australian ballot. I do my best to find what the different candidates stand for and list them in order of preference. The candidate I put 1 rarely gets it. However, I think it is better than first past the post ballots. If I found no difference among the candidates I would vote informal. I have always found a difference.