a democratic vote

Am I dreaming. Can this be happening. Senior Federal Government ministers, including Prime Minister John Howard, are flirting with the idea of bringing in voluntary voting. Getting rid of the repressive, dictatorial days of old.

It is an issue I have been rabbiting on about for decades. In protest against compulsory voting I have refused to vote and copped the fines. I believed, and still, believe, that compulsory voting is undemocratic.

I have another reason for not voting. I believe that political commentators like Hinch and Oakes and O’Brien and Martin should either not vote or declare how they vote.

I have said many times before that I can happily and comfortably interview a Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on the day before a federal election and then on the Monday after – safe in the knowledge that I did not vote for them or against them. But that is a different issue.

And please save the cost of a phone call. Don’t call me on radio to argue that “voting is not compulsory. Attendance at the polling booth is”. That’s the Andrew Peacock defence.

What has angered me about this issue for decades is that we are supposedly the only western country in step. Voting is not compulsory in Britain where our own system of government was based on the Westminster system. It is not compulsory in the United States. It is not compulsory in Canada. It is not compulsory across the ditch in New Zealand where last weekend they had an 80% voluntary turnout. Why not here? Why are Australians treated like children? Why are people fined if they exercise their democratic right to say “ a pox on both your houses” ?

Senator Nick Minchin has raised the voluntary voting issue again. He said on radio this week:

"I'll keep arguing the case for Australians to have the right to choose whether or not to vote, and I hope our Government will seek a mandate at the next election to be able to introduce voluntary voting if we're successful at the next election”.

Minchin has said that that he hasn’t discussed the issue with Prime Minister Howard but he knows he shares his view. So do I. Big time.

Friday, September 22, 2005

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2005