Hey Folks,

don't know whether this has been raised yet but.... the Australian electoral laws have been changed such that as soon as little johnny calls an election those people not registered on the electoral roll have 3 days to enrol. it is alleged that these changes have been brought about to reduce the number of young voters and also impede those Australians overseas from voting........ or so i heard

so the short story is... if you want to have your say this time around.... enrol to vote now. details below.


http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/what/...ent/faq_os.htm

more info can be found at

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070527/2/13kzd.html

http://getup.org.au/campaign.asp?campaign_id=75

I was in Switzerland last federal election, and because I was overseas, was under no obligation to vote, being out of the country long term. Just something to consider if it is too much hassle to lodge your vote out of the country.

Heya

And one can actually un-enrol ( is that even a word?) before you leave with the AEC. Which is what I did. Just one simple form and comes into effect the day that you leave Australia until you go back and re-enrol.

But seriously 3 days? Thats a bit short noticed? Especially if its pointed at the younger voter- most I know dont read the newspapers or watch the news, so how are they going to find out???

Anyways

Enjoy
kt

Me too, rather than keep on getting the "please explain or fine" notices.
It's very deliberate. This is also the party/government that would like to remove compulsory voting. You know those lazy/dumb youth/working class types only vote for the lefty parties, and if they weren't forced to vote ........mwahahaha

Little Johnny's comment last week. Mr Howard said if Australia was started all over again and a fresh Constitution was drafted, there would be no states. And if he had his way probably no independent judiciary or elected parliament.

Who says what in politics really doesnt matter to me. I try to look at what they do, which really isnt all that much until its a bit late. But I do agree with the removal of compulsory voting.

As for little Jonny Peewhistle, well the sooner hes gone the better.... something about those eyebrows combined with the fact that hes a politician - really cant trust or even like him.

Enjoy
kt

I'm kind of the opposite. I wish they had compulsory voting in Blighty. There's far too much apathy. At the very least people should have to register 'none of the above'.

Interesting discussion so far.

my point was that if you're an Aussie you should try to register now, regardless of your political leaning or the difficulty in doing so from overseas. we don't have many democratic rights left anymore, and i'm not sure voting could be counted as one given the way the system works... but it's a right that is about to be removed. so... act now and at least know that you had your say.



personally there is nothing more i would like to see then little johnny being wheeled into one of amanda vanstones nursings homes for a long sleep. (or they could ship him to Guantamo as i'm sure he deserves a holiday after all the crimes against humanity, oops, i mean hard work, that he has done)

later