Many readers may not be aware but the Australian Federal Election is coming up (November 24th). By chance my FM radio picked up ABC's PM program (I'm guessing it was via NPR via Radio Australia). It was great to indulge an hour of in depth political analysis and to be reminded of some of the political differences between Australia and the USA.

Consider some of these major differences:

  • Voting is compulsory. It became compulsory after WWI (I believe it was the 1922 election only had a 55% turnout and people felt that in a democracy which so many during the war had died to preserve it was the duty of all to participate). If you don't vote the fine is nominal: but it encourages all to participate (and most people do). Some say that you get the government that the country deserves.
  • Voting is Preferential. It's a little tricky to grok at first. If a candidate gets >50% of the '1' votes they win - no contest. If no one gets >50% they then turn to the '2's and so on. This looks simple but sometimes the Senate can have dozens of candidates (although can choose to number a party for the Senate). In theory Preferential Voting can allow minor parties to drive a wedge between the big parties. In reality this never really works out and two big parties (Liberal on the Right and Labor on the Left).
  • You don't have to be a Citizen to vote (British Subjects who live in Australia typically have to vote). Lots of Imperial anachronisms can still be found in Australia.
  • No Voting Machines. It's all paper and it works every time. Unlike the US we don't need UN Election Monitors.
  • The election date is set by the incumbent government. No fixed terms.
  • The leader of the country is the Prime Minister (aka. The Decider) although they are not the legal head of state. The Prime Minister is appointed by their party not the people. This can be useful - you can change Prime Ministers any time you like. The PM can also hang around as long as their party will have them
  • Old People Matter. Yes. Old People. With an aging population and compulsory voting you get the picture. This can be bad for some social issues (eg. old people don't like gay marriage) but better for others (eg. retirement funding, care for war veterans etc).
  • You don't get to vote for civil servants or the judiciary. There is also no citizens initiated referenda (ie. no voting for Proposition XYZ etc).
  • Cash. Getting elected in Australia is about 'party favours' not your bank balance. You need to work your way up the party machine (and collect favours) - not raise lots of dollars. Between the party $$ machine and the Electoral Commission your costs are generally covered. Most politicians have been 'political animals' since University which is the source of most rivalries and alliances.

Some similarities:

  • Two parties - one left and one right. Both parties have lots of factions some of which are regional (eg. the infamous NSW Right of the Labor Party).
  • We went to Iraq and it's big deal (although we 'invaded' some other countries - East Timor and Solomon Islands and that was more popular). War exists very differently in the Australian psyche than the American one.
  • John Howard is the George Bush of Australia. You rarely fall 'in the middle' with these guys. Howard and Bush are also 'friends' (as much as two international politicians can be friends).
  • The economy is a big deal. It always is in Australia. It's a small country and the economy requires careful stewardship. At the moment the economy is booming: but that can be a double edge sword as it drives up interest rates. This means mortgages become more expensive. Which leads to a big problem: Australians are obsessed with the real estate market.
  • Illegal Immigration is an issue. Australia is insanely strict here compared to the US. These detention centres aren't exactly in 'holiday hotspots'. There was also the infamous Tampa Incident involving special forces raiding a container ship and arresting the refugees (and then politicians lying about stuff). On the positive side: the strict policy has started to deter people using people smugglers.
  • Health Insurance: We now have a mixed public/private system. Australians worry they will become like America. Americans worry they will become like Australia. Sure it's a gross oversimplification.
  • Retirement: We privatised this years ago - with Superannuation Accounts. However the politicians love to mess with the system every few years. The Social Security system in the US seems so 1930's...
  • Politicians doing nerdy stuff on Social Networking Sites. Yuck.

Who would I vote for? Can't say for sure this year (not allowed to vote if you don't live in Australia).