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SwissTony

(2,560 posts)

25. Oddly enough, that pisses SOME people off.....

Sat Sep 7, 2013, 09:29 AM

Sep 2013

I suspect very few people. I'm Australian and have never heard of anyone seriously complaining about having to vote. You just do it, it doesn't take long, and if there's a sausage sizzle...whoopee.

I've also never heard of people going to jail for not voting. And I doubt anyone would for that reason. If you don't vote and don't have a reasonable explanation, you get a small fine. If you don't pay the fine, you get a second fine. if you continue to not pay your fines, I suspect you could end up in jail. But for not paying fines, not for not voting. Would it get that far? In theory, yeah. But I've never actually heard of it.

I'm not familiar with Mr Kent. Apparently he's a columnist. I googled his name and didn't find any reference to any work he has published.

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Australia election: Abbott poised for victory [View all] Berlin Expat Sep 2013 OP

Here's a link to the results as they're coming in. It sucks... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #1

Looks like Berlin Expat Sep 2013 #3

That didn't help, but the defeat may have been even worse with Gillard leading the ALP... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #4

They have compulsory voting in Australia. Oddly enough, that pisses people off..... MADem Sep 2013 #2

That guy has never experienced an election sausage sizzle... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #5

USA should do that...only I would probably gain ten pounds!!! MADem Sep 2013 #12

I blew my diet this morning with that and the cake stall... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #14

How much do they charge for this stuff, the sausages, the cakes, etc? MADem Sep 2013 #15

$2.50 for a sausage sandwich, and it varied with the cakes... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #16

I'd get fatter on election day in your fair land...I have a weakness for those things...! nt MADem Sep 2013 #17

"Well, since I'm already HERE..." 7962 Sep 2013 #20

"I know I shouldn't.....but it's not like every day is election day...." MADem Sep 2013 #21

Only in Oz... Turborama Sep 2013 #33

So what's the fine, say for spoiling your Ballot ? warrant46 Sep 2013 #6

There's no fine for donkey votes, and no-one comes and gets us... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #7

There can be none, since it's a secret ballot muriel_volestrangler Sep 2013 #8

So just to be the devil's advocate warrant46 Sep 2013 #9

I've no objection to compulsory voting muriel_volestrangler Sep 2013 #18

I do. I'm sorry, but if you can't name your own governor you have no business voting 7962 Sep 2013 #22

Sadly you are correct about the relative warrant46 Sep 2013 #24

There is no fine for that, near as I can tell. MADem Sep 2013 #10

Thanks !! warrant46 Sep 2013 #11

Oddly enough, that pisses SOME people off..... SwissTony Sep 2013 #25

Well--that IS covered in the link I provided. And I did say "some" in my post! MADem Sep 2013 #26

MADem, I never said that you said anything about people going to jail. SwissTony Sep 2013 #27

No worries!!! MADem Sep 2013 #40

Owch, that's screwed up davidpdx Sep 2013 #13

Rudd has conceded - speech: muriel_volestrangler Sep 2013 #19

Who says only Americans can natter on about how great their country is daleo Sep 2013 #31

But it was frustration with Labor's leadership turmoil that cost the government dearly at the polls. dipsydoodle Sep 2013 #23

Labor definitely had its own internal conflict. joshcryer Sep 2013 #30

Mr. Rudd saved the ALP from a much larger defeat. roamer65 Sep 2013 #28

Rudd was brought back to save us from a total wipeout, and he did it. Matilda Sep 2013 #32

Goodbye AU carbon tax. joshcryer Sep 2013 #29

How did Assange do???? nt msanthrope Sep 2013 #34

Epic fail. Berlin Expat Sep 2013 #37

Based on that juvenile commercial, it's not surprising. nt MADem Sep 2013 #41

Does Australia have Diebold, or its equivalent, (count)ing the votes? blkmusclmachine Sep 2013 #35

Heh. Berlin Expat Sep 2013 #36

paper ballots anakie Sep 2013 #42

The Australian right wing party is "Liberal"?? alp227 Sep 2013 #38

In many other countries, "liberal" is what we would call "libertarian" Rochester Sep 2013 #39

It does seem a little odd that a conservative party should be called "Liberal". Matilda Sep 2013 #44

From what I can see afar... roamer65 Sep 2013 #45

the backstabers are gone ..kinda sad ... quadrature Sep 2013 #43