They say labor is ahead in the polls...but they wrote off the liberals last time and look what happened? Its not over people until the fat lady sings; Lol.

Labor will force up energy prices like gas..... to heat our homes. They are obsessed with the so called climate change gender. People will lose jobs if they work in the mining industries. They will shut down most if not all mining. They would be terrible when it comes to foreign affairs. Notice how terrible the labor leader is ...when speaking to the media throng; He refused to answer some questions and he's clearly arogrant! He could not or chose to remember certain thiñgs. He would make a embarrassing fool of himself internationally. We can't afford a dickheads like him in power!

For those who have retired...the liberals and minorities parties are your best chance of improving your living standards. That will not happen under labor. Admittedly, for all the government and their faults ...they did keep the country running well during Covid. Handouts were more than generous for those who needed it. Kept people in jobs. Our economy has bounced back well. Unemployment is lower. The most important thing is to put in a leader that knows what he's doing.Edited 20-May-22 18:02pm

Let's hope for AUSTRALIA'S sake...we don't get the Albo Government in power. Labor are mainly a left-wing party these days. Those days of them being for the working class are long gone. I've heard that those women voters under 40 are more likely to vote for labor. It makes me wonder what on earth is going on in their thick heads? They would bankrupt AUSTRALIA. They got us into bad debt last time in office and that's probably why the Rudd/Gillard government got voted out of office.

When our population was small yes I can understand compulsory voting .NOT NOW yes I have changed from parental voting They were socialists everybody equal (equally poor )The one off payment was received a week or more ago.I think people expect to much I worked hard for what I have .The socialistic dream is just that .It would be better if we followed the German system .We pay a % towards a pension according to our current incomes .We retire on that ,equal to what we were earning no poorer no richer .Why should the Govt; pay more than we have ever earned?

Yes voting should be compulsory. The LNP giving a 'payment' is not to help with the cost of living, it is just trying to bribe people into voting for them. Truth is, if the Liberal's didn't have a coalition with the Nationals, they would never form Govt. History has shown the Liberal's have never won an election purely on votes for them. If it wasn't for Clive Palmer's preferences, the LNP wouldn't have even formed Govt at the last election. Let that sink in! Vote wisely, don't waste it on donkeys.

for sure it should be compulsory

YES VOTING SHOULD BE COMPULSORY. I HAVE ALWAYS VOTED. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MY PARENTS VOTED.

yes i do think it should be compulsary

I'm convinced that the act of voting only encourages the bastards to lie to us and they obviously have no understanding of where we are when they claim more for one night's accommodation far exceeds that which an aged pensioner gets in a fortnight

I have always voted at elections as well, but this time around, I just don't know who to vote for. If we had a party led by Dopey (one of the seven dwarfs) perhaps... or The donkey from Shrek.. but genuinely I don't know, This time It's wuff, wuff !!

I'm a swinging voter. I always research all political party's policies to see what promises they will deliver if they get into power. If I like there ideas, then I may be swayed to vote in that political parties direction.

have always voted in Australia,even before it became composure & now in NZ have voted for the centre right

I know that a lot of persons don’t like voting…but if you don’t vote then I don’t think you should accept what the Government of the day is handing out to all…we all need to have some input into what we (public) want the politicians to be made to keep their promises…we also need politicians to be accountable…also we need statesman/person as I don’t think either leader is of that ilk…

I don't know if it should be compulsory because I think a lot of people just don't research and vote for whoever. They might see something false on TV and be swayed/tricked. But if it wasn't compulsory then how many people would vote? I vote based on policies, I go for independents and put all major parties at the bottom. My voting has changed a bit. When I was younger my vote was swayed by my community that I was living in. They still vote the same way I believe but since I started looking into everyone on the ballot and looking at policies and things I've changed my habits.

Remember the last federal election, the media sucked the living daylights out of most people and said labor would win. What a big shock it was for some people!

I listen to the first 2 weeks of polices, and then turn off. If they don't say in in those 2 weeks all the rest is rubbish

No money hand outs sway me I go from past experience n if they can actually look at the camera when talking cause if they can't dont trust them but I do wish they would ditch in person voting go online like the census

When I first arrived to live in Australia I was clearly told that I, as a resident..could not vote...I bought a house here and then they tried to fine me for not voting....ahh they said if you are a resident and buy a house here you HAVE to vote...I argued that someone needs to tell people this IN advance...rather than to wait till after the election and just fine them.....I won that one...but how ridiculous!....I wonder if anything has changed? Edited 07-May-22 15:55pm

Not unless the team in opposition...stink more. Hahaha

Governments are like underwear...they need to be changed regularly or they really start to stink....

If you are going to vote then you should have the sense to vote for a reason, on a set of polices, or there is no point to voting.. Edited 07-May-22 18:27pm

Policies are just hot air and it's about time we had a change of government but I guess we will have to wait and see which party gets in. It's hard to know who to vote for as we don't have much of a choice to choose from it is one of the other.

My parents never encourage me how to vote...I don't do any research...I just vote for how I feel when I vote...already done my voting

The democrats are in quite a bit of trouble if them American polls are any indication.

People on here are not giving much away who they will vote for in the Election.

When you live in a very safe seat for a Party you don't agree with as I do, all I can do is vote tactically. I can't really make a difference in the lower house, at least.

Voting is about a democratic system that is supposed to protect our rights - as soon as you make that compulsory you take away the right of choice which seems ironic!

Yes I think voting should be compulsory it is a privilege to be able to vote for the people that are governing our nation. As a woman I think of all that the women went through to give us that right. I am usually not a swinging voter having voted the same all my life but I am thinking seriously and of changing it but it's very difficult as so many lies are being told and I do fear a hung parliament as there are so many independents springing up out of no where, they are not known and my thoughts are that I aqree that better the devil you know than the one that you don't. Still have not made up my mind but who do you believe????

It is said that governments in Australia are voted out, not voted in and on that basis it would seem that we are to have a change in government as the present government has done very little to persuade the electors to retain them. Unfortunately it is very difficult to really know what the parties and independents are really like as our media reports everything so badly and is largely controlled by vested interests. As such, you need to ask yourself "Does the present government deserve to be reelected or should we chance our arm with something else?" Only you can answer that. A lot of people are suggesting that independent candidates are a better option than the major parties but while there are some excellent ones in the parliament and standing for election there are others who are not such a wise choice. Obviously, the ones already in the parliament have a track record and you can judge them on their performance but it's not so easy with the rest.

living in australia we have to vote as i get older i find that they are all tared with the same brush promise you the world then say sorry can,t do as the last goverment left us in a mess hear it all the time but e will give us a great pay rise and slag each other

Researching policies is O.K. but remember campaign promises and disclosed policies are only valid after legislation is drawn up and passed. You must look at the various pressure groups and lobbyists that control the parties decision making. Then you can determine the likelihood of these policies being given oxygen. The real problem is the disparity in reward for effort that has manifested itself in our country. How can this be corrected. A simplified tax system offering fairer distribution, a corporate tax system with real meaning which can then fund a UBI bringing greater balance to this reward. The chances of this happening, practically NIL because of the power of pressure groups and a sycophantic media that make politicians unwilling to risk any radical change. However, please vote because this is the only way to protect our fragile democracy.Edited 07-May-22 14:22pm

Voting is not compulsory in Australia, it is only compulsory to get your name ticked off to say you have voted. You can just put your ballot papers in the polling station boxes without marking them. Bit more difficult with postal votes, maybe.

What has changed my opinion on voting is serving as a Returning Officer and learning to understand Informal Votes and what they actually mean. What not many people understand is if enough people vote informally then there has to be another poll in that electorate with different candidates as none of the ones offered for election where suitable for the electorate. Takes the power away from the parties and puts it where it belongs in the hands of the voters and I'm all for that.

it's actually all just bullshit anyways, as no matter where you are from, it's always the rich ones on the ballot, but i know that rich SOB ain't got my interests at heart, so i pick the one that i think may help me, all the rest you treat like a screw driver and 6 screws,, screw 'em,

how can your vote mean anything if you don't know what the candidate stands for,, and not their words, it's by their previous actions

In my opinion one should not vote with out knowing policy. Then vote for the party that matches your ideals the best. If NZ doesn't come up with some policy soon there will be no party for me to vote for

The current federal Government's bribe of $250 to Pensioners is just that: A Bribe. The current federal Minister for Aboriginal and TI Affairs, one Ken Wyatt, is currently on a salary of $426,618.38 plus other benefits worth 10s of 1000s every year. He has demanded a Pay Rise! He is happy to see the Unemployed - the vast majority of whom desperately want a Full Time Job - not just an Hour or two every week (for purely political reasons by the two major Parties (ALP & Coalition) this is classed as being Fully Employed! - getting just $46 per day to live on and Old Age Pensioners (single) $70 - a few dollars less each for couples - Having lived in a "Nice, Safe Seat for one of the majors - they held the seat for 30+ years - during which time, as is common in "Nice, Safe Seats" - the electorate was simply ignored, no grants, no help - we got Nothing. The then incumbent thought they were Safe for Life and in their arrogance they thought they could do as they wished. They could not have been more wrong! We tossed them out and replaced them with possibly the Best Politician Australia has ever had. A politician who is a member of a very small political party. They are Fully Committed to the Electorate. In the House of Reps they consider every bit of legislation brought forward and when the Bill is contentious they vote dependent on whether or not it is of benefit to both Australia and the Electorate. The two majors loathe this MP and the current Federal Government deliberately Lies when it claims the MP always sides with the Opposition - this is simply no true for, as The Hansard shows, they split their vote between the two or abstain. This is the sort of Politician Australia needs. One who has the Electorate and it's people Front and Centre in everything and not, as we have seen, especially within the ALP and Coalition, it all being about themselves and "The Party". All those puppet-like Nodding Heads we so often see in the Parliament or standing like idiots behind the PM or some Minister! This is the reason we are seeing so many non-aligned candidates standing at the Federal Election. They sense that the Voters are sick to death of the endless Lies, Distortions, Deceit, the Racism, Xenophobia by the two major parties.

I do quite a lot of research, but how I vote is entirely my business.

We just had a $250 cost of living payment, now not sure if this replaces the one we normally get about October each year or a Bonus on top of that ... anything is handy anytime it comes. I vote according to how I see things and don't let anyone else, including family, influence me.

Agree Sandra C, let's keep it private.

That is why it is a secret ballot !!!!!!!!

In the USA voting is not compulsory. I still believe there's a place for not voting if that's what you wish! My mum did that a few times when I was growing up. Saying that tho, I think its a wasted vote if you don't put pen to paper. You don't have to vote for the popular candidates .Edited 07-May-22 12:08pm

They all offer the same thing sort of its better to vote its your decision

Yes it should be compulsory and I have always voted the way I wanted to. My parents never asked who I voted for as both they & I thought that who you voted for & why was a personal choice and no business of anyone else.

I don't. I know who I want to vote for. They all make promises before elecion but whether they come to fruition is another question.

I do pay attention to what politicians say, particularly around election time. Sometimes they make promises on which they fail to deliver. I do think voting should be compulsory because I think it forces people to be at least a little accountable about who rules the country. I know I should probably research more about what each party's policies are prior to each election. Ii have only done that once - it gave me a headache! And I did notice that later decisions were made going back on some promises.

I look at the general BS and go with the one that is the least far fetched…….lol

We live in the best country in the world. Voting is compulsory and we should do it. Go to China,Russia, other countries and you get told who is you person to be your rep in parliament. USA don’t have compulsory voting and look what’s happens there each time. Fraud ( if you believe Trump) and other swindles. I will vote this time postal vote as not sure of plans.

I trust politicians as far as I can throw them. I take time to research the Politician and see if they really care on what they are saying or just there feather their own nest. The same for the party they are standing for, as they can say anything they want to get your vote, but it seems it's takes a long time to roll out if they get into power. If people vote it should be up to them but if they didn't vote, don't get up set on the way the country is being run.

I always research as much as possible, to be well informed.

Voting in Australia is compulsory. This seems to work quite well, even if some do not want to go to the polling booth to vote.

Voting is something I take seriously and look at what directions each party is taking and that determines what I vote for.

I'll take incentives

I have no say in this because I do not vote.

I find having a vote a privilege. Some people do not live in a democracy and have no free speech. I never squander my vote. I research and listen to the policies and I know who I want to vote for and who my preferences go to. I like have that choice. Yes I do agree voting should be compulsory. The political advertising does annoy me sometimes especially when Politicians will not give a yes or no answer. They all make promises, I just hope that the party I voted for honours theirs. I have completed a postal vote for this years Australian Election of Federal Government. Great subject by the way Elizabeth J.

We look at who is going to do the best for our personal situation and future. So we vote to our needs, then local community, then country. Act local, think global. For the next election we've worked out our federal vote, but our local vote is undecided. Federal & local they're all a bit dull, not much individually. My wife & I vote the same so we don't cancel each other.

I too consider my vote very carefully. I ask candidates if they will vote for the wishes of their constituents or will they vote on "party lines". I guess you would call me a swinging voter. I have almost made my mind up for this coming election.

I take my right to vote very seriously, and I demand a high standard from those who lead the nation. I watch the background very carefully. Look at the disgusting behaviour of Dan Andrews and his corruption. I didn't vote him but some people did. The behaviour of some politicians should result in a jail term. We need to let these candidates know that in a democracy the people have the say. The people need to look beyond any sweeteners thrown their way.

Voting should not be compulsory. Why vote to put corrupt politicians into power when we all know they are only interested in filling their own pockets with the tax payers money?

Yes voting should be compulsory. I don't research any party but keep abreast of events

I pay more attention to what they do rather than what they say they will do.

By how much they increase pensions.

Voting should not be compulsory, these politicians never keep their promises. A waste of my time

Vote for me! I will promise a lot. Then I am elected and will start working hard to show you the reasons why I can't fulfill my pre-election promises. And I will ask you to pay more taxes.

I do not understand or like politics, so I leave it to the people who know a lot better than me to elect appropriate people. I do not agree with compulsory voting. Forcing people who know nothing about politics, economics etc. to vote and choose a party is counterproductive. It means that for every person who knows about politics and wants to elect someone of their choice, their vote is completely negated by someone else who doesn't care so just picks any box on the form, someone who doesn't want to vote and does a donkey vote and someone who knows nothing about the best way to run a country. Freedom of choice is what Australia is known for so voting should NEVER be compulsory. In a company, you would never ask the lowest paid worker who does a brilliant job but knows nothing about how to run the business itself to select the general manager of the company. Why do we ask people who don't want to vote to elect the people who will run an entire country? It makes zero sense. Voting should be left to those who want to have a say and those who know a lot more about politics than I do. Compulsory voting means the 'best people' to run the country are never given a fighting chance to win. Optional voting should be introduced in an effort to have more of a chance to get the right people into the job.

I read and listen to all the policy statements of the parties before I choose who I will vote for

I watch political discussions very closely. The policies effect my daily life, can I put food on my table, heat my home and put gas in my car. My family is suffering right now. I am thankful the violence in the cities has not made its way to where I live. The problem is all we hear about is the problems instead of looking at them as opportunities to change the future for all of us. We want politicians to fix things but all they worry about is getting reelected. Things will change when we the people stand together and change things by listening to each other.

I don't keep up with any political parties at all.

i dont keep up with it i mean i should but they all lie and spread lies on each other twist the truth

Lots of questions! Yes and no. In my country it wasn’t compulsory and that was good, because voting was pointless. In Australia it is good to vote. I don’t research hear enough. I vote always Greens. Money wouldn’t change that.

Voting should be compulsory - you can always turn in a blank ballot. If by "swinging voter" - you mean an independent voter (not register with any political party) - YES! Has me getting older - changed the way I think with regards - too how I vote - NO. (I vote for the person - not the political party he/she is representing). I never had a political party conversation with my parents - at that time - Blacks could not vote in USA (aka voter suppression in other countries) - so much for democracy in the USA (HAHA)! I was never eligible (my personal income was too high) for pandemic checks issue in 2021 and a one-time pandemic check issue in 2022. Besides, in the USA - the issue was voted on by Congress - not the voting public!Edited 07-May-22 13:21pm

Voting is required at least to get your name crossed off the list, but you don't have to VOTE for anyone and just Vote informal. I have a selection of minorities that I favour, a few most have never heard of. I make a major effort to look at what policies they offer and im impressed by some of these minorities that rarely get any publicity...by the mainstream media. Its unfortunate that some parties, Abid.. small, or micro-parties cannot really get any media attention. Why is it that we are supposed to be a democracy yet can't get fairness to all parties that are registered? That is not democracy! The two major parties get 98 percent of all media coverage and that is so unjust. They have the most donations and can afford the most publicity. They also get the most free media coverage of all the parties combined. One minor party is called, sustainable population. Others that have similar ideas about lowering the migration intake, for the betterment of the nation. More control over big business, and banks. Making sure they pay their fair share of taxes. Better hospital care and education. More housing. Better protection of our environment and wildlife. More jobs. More accountability from our pollies. Less corruption. These are some of the ideals that I look for in a political party. The major parties are tied too much too big business and that influences their policies. I sometimes wonder about the intelligence or lack of...should that be the average VOTER? They often complain.. but most still stick with the same old parties every Election...and then they wonder why things never really change or improve. I think in Australia at least...we don't have a electrate that spends enough time on analysing a parties policys. And some just vote on personality's... because that persons popular or on the news alot. The future is in our hands! We allow them to become the leaders of the day, so when things go wrong, or we VOTE in idiots, then we the VOTER is partially responsible for the outcome. THINK BEFORE YOU VOTE! Edited 07-May-22 01:06am

I don't think people should VOTE on that basis. How much money the government will DOLE out in your pensions. If you vote over money then you are selfish. People should vote for the common good, and not on what your government can do for you, and all these hand outs. I think the government has been very generous with all the COVID payouts and help that the country needed to stimulate the economy, but now its time to stop the easy handouts and the country needs to tighten its belt. We do have alot of Debt now to get rid off and cannot keep spending and spending. Something has to give eventually!

I wish it were a couple of thousand but it isn't. We did get an increase in the pension although that was ripped off pretty quickly with the rising costs of petrol and food and everything else. Listening to their campaigning is annoying. Mostly scoring points off the other party seems to be a constant especially with the Liberal Party although all parties are guilty of this. As for policies, if you can hear them over the above rubbish being said who knows if they will come to pass. They promise everything leading up to the election and then afterwards comes all the excuses why it was not implemented. I vote how I want to vote without any influence from anyone. Yes I think it should be compulsory.Maturity has changed my views as with maturity usually comes a bit of knowledge and so often we have seen or heard it all before.