It should also be noted, that because we have compulsory voting and an independent, non-political electoral commission there are an abundance of polling places, including mobile polls that travel to aged care facilities, for example. Most Australians can easily walk to their local polling place at the local school or church etc. We can also vote out of our electorate easily as every booth has printed directories of every registered Australian voter, so you can get ticked off the list anywhere and your vote is sent back (sealed) to your electorate as an absentee vote.

In reality compulsory voting has meant that Australia has had very 'centrist' govt for many decades without the wild swings left and right that some countries have experienced. I would contend, as would many Australians, that we are a more truly democratic nation since our politics more accurately reflects our wishes. Freedom of choice not to vote is not seen as being as important as democratic choice (and you can always donkey it 🙂 ). This means that we all see the govt as representing us, which is reflected in the fact that Australians consider govt as a "Service Provider" rather than as an interference in our freedoms. It also means that politicians don't have to focus on 'getting out the vote'. They just have to convince us who deserves our vote.

Also… that's totally a cold, wrinkly sausage – and you should always #demandthecrust

Home of the terminally apathetic.