Comments on: Top secret

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:46:25 +0000

Robson Rotation makes how to vote material hard and (in multi-member electorates) gives voters a choice of electable cadidates from each non-micro party.

By: Mr Q

Mr Q — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:49:43 +0000

If it were up to me, I’d bar all how to vote material – whether handed out at the door, or published in the newspaper, or however. Preferential voting would (in my opinion) work most democratically if people had to put down their own preferences, not that of a political party. The grubby nature of behind the scenes dealing for preferences would evaporate if the parties weren’t actually permitted to tell anyone about their agreements.

Of course the concept at most Australian elections of putting a “1″ above the line and nothing else would have to go – I like what I hear of the NSW upper house system.

By: Bolt1493

Bolt1493 — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:38:55 +0000

To be honest, I have always thought the Australian “How to Vote” card to be ridiculous, and always felt daft about handing out. Surely voters are capable of completing the ballot paper without guidance on preferences from parties. If they cannot well perhaps informal is how they should be counted.

That said, the provision re review is mind boggling. Too many civil servants dreaming up regulations that no-one needs in order to prevent something that has never been an issue before. I think Debnam’s 20,000 might be insufficient.

By: Antony Green

Antony Green — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:59:54 +0000

True. You either register it and make it public or don’t register it. But to register it and then keep it secret? If you get the chance, read the clause, Section 151G 12A, at http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/peaea1912382/s151g.html

It does rather remind me of the line in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, where Prosser states that all planning developments are put on public display, to which Arthur Dent proclaims he did find them on display, in a locked filing cabinet in a disused lavatory at the bottom of a set of broken stairs with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the leopard’. “Have you people ever thought of going into public relations?” he snidely asked.

This clause that states the material “must be available for inspection” but then sets an amazing limit on when it is available was described in the second reading speech as making the material available for the first time.

Both the VIC and QLD acts register material but then make it available for inspection “as soon as available”, and in Queensland it can even be inspected in polling places.

By: David Jackmanson

David Jackmanson — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:46:47 +0000

Well, that’s pretty democratic, isn’t it? The idea of having to register HTV material is rubbish in itself, I reckon.

By: The Speaker

The Speaker — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:44:59 +0000

Hi All. Like Mumble, I'm an election gambler. Your NSW ALP seat guesses would be most welcome. I think 50, what do you think ?

By: blacklight

blacklight — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:02:28 +0000

wow inane and draconian at the same time

The question is… WHY?