FEDERAL ELECTION DAY AUSTRALIAN STYLE Mainly for overseas readers. In a country that is one of the oldest democracies, even though a young settlement in historical terms, we became a democracy without the shot of a gun and was the first nation to give women both the right to vote and to stand for parliament.And we gave prominence to the use of the secret ballot. Against that background you may be interested to know how we go to the polling booths to vote.Polling is usually in local school halls from 8.00am to 6.00 pm organised by the Australian Electoral Commission , an independent body. It is so relaxed generally with cake stalls and sausage sizzles set away from the polling booths to raise money for worthy charities.Today it was a beautiful ,warm spring day. Should know the result of the lower chamber whose members elect the Prime Minister about 4 hours after counting begins-maybe much earlier if the vote is not close. The senate counting will take days because there are dozens of parties contesting. Maybe this may seem like a good democracy in action.The quality of debate and policies are separate issues.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 05:30:43 +0000
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