Features 19
Let ’ s talk politics .
Hands up if the phrase ‘ Australian politics ’ makes you yawn .
That ’ s what I thought . The thing is , it really shouldn ’ t .
Some of my friends roll their eyes when I talk about the upcoming election , because I was born in the 90s and “ politics is for retired people with nothing else to do ”. It ’ s funny how they are the first to complain if something doesn ’ t go their way .
I ’ ll start by stating the obvious , yet frequently forgotten fact , that we have it so damn lucky as Australians to be given the chance to vote . Did you know that approximately a third of the world ’ s countries are fully authoritarian ? ( The Democracy Index , 2012 ). This means a political regime can remain unchanged and unchallenged indefinitely , no matter what the citizens say or do .
Election Day is much more than an opportunity for a sausage sizzle , it ’ s your moment to make your mark on the next three years of decision making in Australia .
These decisions will affect you , whether you are aware of it now or not . For instance , how much will university cost ? When will you have to pay your HECS / HELP debt ? Who can even go to uni ? ( If you ’ re interested , this might help .)
Young people , I ’ m talking specifically to you for a moment ; there ’ s a reason they call us ‘ swing voters .’
I ’ m not trying to say you have to put pickets up in your backyard or livetweet ABC ’ s Q and A on tv every week , but all parties have some form of policy available on their websites , so taking even just 15 minutes to skim read them and formulate a more informed decision before you head to the polling booths will make such a huge difference .
If you are really in the dark , the ABC has made this decision-making process as easy as filling out a quick survey if you don ’ t want to do your own research .
Oh and if you think you ’ ll get away with just not showing up on the day , think again . If the government knows you exist and you haven ’ t enrolled or voted , you can face rolling fines and nobody needs that .
So , don ’ t say “ I will take the fine as I don ’ t know who to vote for ”.
Don ’ t say “ it doesn ’ t affect me ”. Don ’ t say “ my vote won ’ t count ”.
Because it does .
Step up and don ’ t be a drongo . Make a difference on Election Day !
Important endnote : There has been a change to the way we vote this year too , with a quota of votes required both above and below the line . Read the changes here and take note on the day or your vote won ’ t even count !
WORDS : TOM SHERSON IMAGES : SHUTTERSTOCK