QLD already has a hybrid form of compulsory/optional voting, which causes all sorts of problems:

http://www.ozpolitic.com/electoral-reform/optional-preferential-voting.html

Now Campbell Newman wants to make it completely optional. My objections are:

1) Voting is an irrational act, given the personal effort required and the almost certainty that your effort will make no difference to your life (or anyone else's).  If you make it optional, only irrational people vote. Rational people will find more 'productive' uses for their Saturday morning.

2) Voting in a modern democracy should be considered a responsibility, not a right.

3) Making voting optional changes the nature of the political debate. It means politicians become motivational speakers rather than policy debaters. This is because it is more important to preach to the converted than target undecided voters, because you have to get your supporters to turn up and vote. Fear is the biggest motivator, and the politics of fear (of the other party) become more important than rational criticism. Our elections would turn into circuses, like US elections.

PM hits back at Qld compulsory voting plan

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/qld-could-scrap-compulsory-voting/story-fn3dxiwe-1226546911297

THE Prime Minister has used Twitter to attack the Newman government's bid to ask Queenslanders whether compulsory voting should be scrapped for state elections.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has urged her Twitter followers to fight the Newman government's plan.

"Don't let the Liberals make our democracy the plaything of cashed-up interest groups," she posted.

Compulsory voting could be scrapped in Queensland state elections under a Newman government plan to overhaul electoral laws.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has released a discussion paper on possible reforms to be put out for public consultation.

The paper lists the pros and cons of abolishing compulsory voting and highlights other possible reforms, including changes to political donations, how-to-vote cards and political advertising.

It quotes the report of a Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on the 1996 federal election that recommended compulsory voting be abolished so Australia could be considered "a mature democracy".

The report argued that voting could only be considered a 'right' if people could exercise a 'right' not to vote.

Voting in Queensland state elections has been compulsory since 1915.

Mr Bleijie says the discussion paper aims to make the government more accountable.

"Fair and effective electoral laws are central to the promotion of participation in our democracy," he said in a statement on Thursday.

"The options in the discussion paper are not intended to be exhaustive and the government is after a variety of opinions and ideas."

The submission period is open until March 1.

The only reason im against it is because newman wants it - he has to be up to something.

SOB

Peter Freedman wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2013 at 12:23pm:


That is a very interesting point Peter, one that may well sink this legislation.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2013 at 12:11pm:


Newman wants it because people struggling to survive traditionally vote labor ... come voting day given the option of voting or going to work, they'll work. This can be a huge advantage to the libs especially in the seats where the winner is decided by only a handful of votes.

My other concern is if its not compulsary, some bosses will not let workers take a half hour to go and vote. I remember I was working for a guy, election day came around and in the end I had to tell him that he would have to pay the fine .... he kept saying finish this first, then do that before you go and so on ... I made it to the polling booth 15 mins before they closed.

actually i hope he extends it along proper business principles.
the most productive people in the state obviously are the biggest shareholders in qld pty ltd.

so farmers, businesses, sole traders get 1 vote for each $50,000 of turnover.

public servants , as net, liabilities to qld pty ltd, get to vote but their votes are then secretly reversed as those on the minus side of the ledger, of course, score a negative vote.

those not working, children and retirees dont count as a negative vote or a positive vote but get to bath in the benevolence of our great leader.(aka  CEO qld pty ltd)

Quote:


Oh look, another person who can't tell the difference between democracy and freedom.

Swagman wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2013 at 2:58pm:


your maid drinks them for you, right!

Nope schooie of new normally.