Many of the problems the US has with its election processes and outcomes are avoidable and don’t happen in countries with different voting laws. Australia is a great example.
It has been compulsory to vote in Australia - unlike in most other countries - since 1924.
AAP/Tracey Nearmy
The real reason for Labor’s return to full preferential voting was to assist them in garnering preferences from the Greens - but it may end up strengthening the LNP.
Was new Senator Derryn Hinch right about voter turnout in New Zealand?
Q&A
Was new Senator Derryn Hinch right to say on Q&A that voting is only compulsory in Australia and Belgium, and that 90% of New Zealanders vote even though it’s voluntary?
Australia continues to enjoy voter turnout levels that are the envy of voluntary-voting regimes the world over.
AAP/Lukas Coch
The majority of Australians approve of compulsory voting – and have done so for decades. The nay-sayers continue to be a minority.
Two sides of the same coin? Convergence theory explains why the Labor and Liberal parties are often closer together on issues than they like to portray.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Convergence theory – which holds that the main Australian political parties will, over time, converge upon near-identical policy positions on most issues – was on full display during budget week.
Australia has had a consistently high voter turnout thanks to compulsory voting.
Niyazz/Shutterstock
Queenslanders will soon head to the voting booths to either oust or re-elect the Newman government and no doubt some will be wondering why. “Why must I vote or be fined? Why must I be forced to choose…
Corruption-buster Tony Fitzgerald is urging Queenslanders to lodge a protest vote against the major parties if they want to see real political reform.
AAP/Dan Peled
Tony Fitzgerald had a point when he recently urged Queenslanders not to vote for either of the major parties in the January 31 state election. The 73-year-old, who headed Queensland’s landmark corruption…
Politicians mustn’t turn their backs on young people.
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Matt Henn, Nottingham Trent University and Nick Foard, Nottingham Trent University
Young people’s relationship with politics in Britain is often considered to be both complex and problematic. On the one hand, this generation is often characterised as apathetic, with no interest in, or…
Australia goes to the polls this weekend to choose between two unpopular candidates: the incumbent, Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd has a net approval rating of -9 (representing approval rating minus disapproval…