THE FEDERAL ELECTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING
Rev Prof Michael Tate AO PP
Rev Prof Tate received a Bachelor of Laws (First Class) from the University of Tasmania in 1968. After which he gained a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Oxford in 1971 He later went on to be a Labor Party Senator from 1978 to 1993 and held the porfolio of Minister for Justice from 1987 to 1993 He was also the Dean of the Law faculty here at UTAS from 1977 to 1978
The other day I was walking along Salamanca Place when I noticed the Premier walking by, mobile in hand. I could not help but think “How fantastic that the leader of government can walk around without police hovering in the vicinity”.
We don’t celebrate often enough the fact that we live in a peaceful democracy where violence does not determine who governs. We will go to the polls on the 3 of May without fear of intimidation, or that the ballot boxes will be adulterated with false ballot papers or even stolen.
Of course, there will be some grumbling because voting is compulsory (I think uniquely to Australia) But this has the good effect that political parties with any hope of forming government have to appeal to the “centre” We might contrast the United States where both major parties campaign with extreme policies in order to galvanise their support base to even bother to come out and vote
By the way, compulsory voting was introduced at the federal level in 1924 so that the legal obligation to vote would override employment contracts whereby employers could require their employees to work during polling hours
Of course, you might concede that all the above is true but nevertheless be feeling disillusioned and lukewarm about trundling along to the local hall in order to vote
But the fact is that if you are disillusioned because there is no candidate pushing a cause about which you feel passionately, abstaining from voting or casting an invalid vote won’t much help the situation
To be autobiographical for a moment. I remember when I was lecturing in law at UTAS, my third year constitutional law students were of an age (20) where they could be conscripted to serve in the armed forces for the Vietnam war. The method of selecting conscripts was to put 180 birthdates in a barrel and then a sufficient number would be drawn out to provide for that cohort of recruits.
I remember sitting around the big radiogram in the lounge area at St John Fisher College whilst the birthdates were being called out from a studio in Melbourne. I vividly recall seeing the blood drained from the face of one of my students and I realised that his birthdate had been called. He would have to serve despite the fact that, as I knew, he had a deep-seated moral objection to fighting in that
particular war. Only general conscientious objection to all war at any time was accepted as a ground for exemption from military service.
I then and there resolved to do something about it. I joined the Labour Party which was opposed to Australia’s involvement in that war and, as they say, the rest is history.
in my inaugural speech in the Senate in 1978 I said my aim was to change the law to allow for conscientious objection to a particular war. It took till 1992, after 15 years of lobbying, to get that law changed. My point here is that, whilst you are being asked to vote in this particular federal election and thereafter every three years, it may well take endurance and political stamina over a period of time to secure the change you want
But isn’t that better than wallowing in disillusion or indifference?
What is it that you feel passionately needs to change in Australian society, or in Australia’s relationships to the world? Find a person or a political party most likely to help advance the achievement of your cause and vote accordingly.
You will be exercising a right denied to most people in most nations on this little planet Earth. Then you can recite with integrity the pledge of loyalty which new citizens make, (and which I wrote in 1992),
I pledge my loyalty [under God] to Australia and its people Whose democratic values I share Whose rights and liberties I respect And whose laws I will uphold and obey
Voting on the 3 of May makes that pledge come true for you and for Australian society generally.
Whatthefuckis preferentialvoting?!
AUSTRALIA’S VOTING SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS
It’s tricky and confusing and leaves you wondering if you even did it right No, we’re not talking about your first time, we’re talking about the voting system
In Australia we use a voting system called ‘preferential voting’ While it can be confusing, it does actually have numerous benefits The way that federal elections are conducted is different to the way they are in Tassie (the Hare-Clark system) So while you might have voted last year in the state election, this time around will be a little different
Australian Parliament is split up into two groups The Upper House, also referred to as the Senate, and the Lower House, The House of Representatives. The Lower House is comprised of MPs that represents specific electorates. Electorates operate kind of like suburbs. While they often can be made up of multiple suburbs, they’re a geographical area.
When candidates run they choose to either be endorsed by a political party or to run as an Independent (not affiliated with any party) Historically there has been two major parties, The Australian Labor Party and the Coalition The Coalition is made up of the Liberal and National Parties
They operate as two parties in one, if that makes sense The Leader of the Liberal Party becomes the leader of the Coalition and the Leader of the National party become the deputy If the Coalition gains power at an election, this leadership division also transfers into Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
In recent years, there has been a sizeable shift, giving more traction to The Greens (and seeing them become a major party in their own right), and seeing Independents being consistently elected in previously considered ‘safe seats’. In the Federal Election, one candidate per electorate will be elected for the Lower House (a total of 151 seats). If the successful candidate is affiliated with a party, that party will gain one point. Basically, a party needs to obtain 76 points (or seats) to be able to form government In recent history (since WW2), Australia has only had Labor or Liberal governments
Once a party has gained enough seats to form government, they then also divide ‘portfolios’ amongst their Ministers
Examples of portfolios are Defence, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and much more Now, in the same election that these MPs are elected, Senate seats are also elected At each election, half the Senate seats are up for grabs Senate terms are 6 years, opposed to the 3 years for Lower
House MPs Every state gets 12 Senate seats and each Territory gets 2 So basically, that means, at this election, 6 Senators will be elected to represent Tasmania These 6 Senators will join the 6 already elected Senators in Canberra, to comprise the Tassie delegation
Now, going back to the actual election day and what voting will actually look like For logistics, head to our back cover, what to bring and expect is covered there In regard to how voting will work on the day, lets cover that now!
We’ll start with the Senate, because that honestly is significantly simpler They’re a ‘line’ on the Senate ballot paper You can choose to vote ‘above’ this, which means you only have to preference 6 candidates, or you can choose to vote ‘below’ it, which would mean you have to preference 12 senate candidates in Tasmania. This is referred to as voting above or below the line. Actually, pretty simple hey?
Now let’s explain the Lower House. Basically, each electorate will usually have about 10 candidates (this can be more or less, but generally around 10) You need to preference ALL of the candidates in your electorate Let’s say you do have 10 candidates, you will be asked to number them from 1 to 10 1 being your favourite and who you think will be the best MP for your area, and 10 being the person you want least You MUST number all candidates All of this is explained on your ballot on the day, so make sure you read the instructions carefully and slowly, and you’ll‘be’right
Now, you may be asking yourself, why the f**k do you need to preference every damn candidate? Wellllll that’s thanks to the BEAUTIFUL preferential voting system we use Basically, in a very simplified explanation, your votes will be pooled So in the first vote (counting number 1 preferences) if someone gets 50% (or more) of the votes, they automatically win. If no one wins in this first round, then the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated. Everyone who voted for the now eliminated candidate as their number 1 preference, their vote then goes to their number 2 preference. A second count is then made to see if now, with the redistributed votes (and one less candidate), a candidate reached 50% or more of the votes Basically, this process keeps going until someone reaches 50% of the votes This is actually a really great system because it means that even if the candidate you voted number 1 is eliminated your vote is still counted in your second or third ( etc) votes This means EVERY single vote counts, no vote is lost and no vote doesn’t matter
Now that you know HOW to vote, you will need to work WHO you’re going to vote for Keep reading for some of our favourite tools and resources that will help you out
Some of you reading this might already, vehemently, know how you’re going to vote on Saturday. However, for many more of you, you might wake up on Saturday morning still not knowing. So for you guys, what can you do between now and Saturday to help you rock up to the polling place with a plan and feeling like Confident Democracy Barbie? Well here are a few tools and resources that will help you narrow down your choices and work out which candidates your beliefs actually align with.
Vote Compass
Vote Compass is a tool run by the ABC and developed by political scientists to help you to see how your views compare to the candidates in your electorates and partys more generally It provides comparision percentages and also places you on the political spectrum from your answers
Build A Ballot
Build A Ballot is a tool by Project Planet, and environmental organisation. You’ll answer a few questions and then build your ballot. You can move canidates up and down in your prerferences, and compatability percentages are presented next to them (kinda like a less shitty Tinder, hey?). You’ll work through this process for the lower and upper house and at the end you’ll have a customised ballot you can take with you on election day.
Tasmanian Climate Collective
Tas Climate Collective have put together climate scorecards So if the climate is a priority for you, these show how the candidates in your electorate measure up
HOW TO WORK OUT WHO YOU’RE GOING TO VOTE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOTES MATTER
In this Federal Election it is estimated that 48% of voters are Generation Z, which means the ‘ young vote’ is more vital than ever before. All the major parties have anouced numerous policies targetted at young people. Often young poeple can feel disilusioned and demeaned by the political system In this election you matter, your voice matters and your vote matters
One of the most powerful things you can do is to vote well.
Also-remember to engage with our older generations in this time as well! Your grandparents, neighbours or other local adults and elderlies Talk about the importance of their vote and the current issues facing our world and what concerns you might have regarding your future!
HOUSE OF REPS
We contacted everyone running for election in the Tasmanian electorates
We asked them to explain what impact they would have on University Students if they are elected as well as the three issues they feel are most pertinent currently Here’s an overview on them and what they had to say:
Braddon
Here are the candidates, as they will appear on the Ballot Paper in the voting booth:
Stephen John Kenney Trumpet of Patriots -----------------
*This candidate was contacted but did not provide a statement*
Erin Morrow The Greens ----------------------------
Christopher Methorst Pauline Hanson’s One Nation -----
*This candidate was contacted but did not provide a statement*
*This candidate was contacted but did not provide a statement*
Anne Urquhart Australian Labor Party
‘Students and Unis
&Whatshe’lldoforyou hertop3priorities:
The Federal Labor Government has already passed legislation which:
Fixes the indexation of student loan debts
Introduces prac payments for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students
Expands FEE-FREE University Ready Courses
Establishes an independent National Student Ombudsman Guarantees the Australian Research Council’s independence
Labor has also committed to structural reforms under the Universities Accord - the biggest and broadest review of the higher education sector in 15 years. This will mean an additional $2 5 billion investment in higher education over the next 10 years
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will cut a further 20 per cent off all student loan debts, wiping around $16 billion in student debt for around three million Australians
In Tasmania this means over 52,000 people will benefit from almost $240 million being wiped from their student loan debts. This builds on Labor’s the reforms to fix the student loan indexation formula, which been delivered and saw the majority of people with a student debt receiving a credit or refund from the ATO in December last year
Labor has also promised students cost-of-living relief under changes to repayment arrangements.
The minimum threshold for repayments would be lifted by more than $10,000 a year, from about $54,000 to $67,000
Healthcare
Labor is delivering better and more affordable health care Labor
is the party of Medicare and we are protecting and strengtheningMedicare to bring back free GP visits, make medicines cheaper and to make sure that help is available when it’s needed without long wait times for appointments, including for child and adult mental health services
Affordable housing
We know renters and first home buyers are struggling
The Albanese Labor Government is tackling Australia’s housing crisis by investing $43 billion to drive the biggest home-building program since the post-war housing boom
We are building 1 2 million homes in 5 years
We want more Australians to buy a home of their own sooner When a first home buyer saves a 5 per cent deposit, a re-elected Albanese government will guarantee the rest with their bank.
We will also invest $10 billion to build 100,000 homes that only first home buyers can buy
We’re building the construction workforce with $10,000 incentive payments for new housing apprentices and opportunities through Free Tafe places
Improving the supply of housing keeps rents lower We have increased rent assistance by 45% and we’re working with states and territories to make renting fairer with stronger protections for tenants and the power to make your rental your own’
Adam Martin Independant
Whathe’lldoforyou:
‘As the only independent candidate in Braddon, I’m here to fight for fairness and give young Tasmanians a real voice. As an elder millennial, I understand the raw deal our generation and the ones after us have been handed. If elected, I will push for rent caps, scrap GST on all essential groceries, and stop overtime from being taxed because no student should be penalised for trying to get ahead. I support free tertiary education and believe student debt should be eliminated by properly taxing big oil and gas, so you can focus on learning, not just surviving. Mental health support must be easier to access, especially for students under financial and social pressure. I’m also committed to real climate action and protecting our environment from overdevelopment and pollution. That means standing up to the salmon industry, defending native forests, and investing in clean, sustainable industry for Tasmania. I will also fight to root out political corruption, expose backroom deals, and demand transparency becau t t i t should be earned, not assumed.’
1 Housing affordability
Cap rents, support emergency and student housing, and introduce innovative, affordable pathways to first home ownership
2.Cost of living
Make life liveable again by reducing the cost of essentials.
3.Healthcare access
Improve Medicare rebates and expand local mental health services.
It’s time the system worked for you not just the big end of town.’
Mal Hingston Liberal ------------------------------ *This candidate was contacted but did not provide a statement*
Lyons
your Federal Labor
Alistair Allan The Green -----------------------------
Here are the candidates, as they will appear on the Ballot Paper in the voting booth:
Angela Offord Independant
Sarah Graham Trumpet of Patriots --------------------------
Michael Phibbs Citizens Party
Susie Bower Libe
Shaun Broadby Pauline Hanson’s One Nation ---------------
Carlo Di Falco Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Rebecca White Australian Labor Party
The Albanese Labor Government has already cut student debt and ensured it never grows faster than wages. A re-elected Labor Government will provide even more support by slashing students’ debts by 20%, wiping around $5,520 from the average HELP debt.
Labor will also make owning your own home easier, giving all first home buyers access to 5 per cent deposits and investing $10 billion to build up to 100,000 homes for sale only to first home buyers. Unlike the Coalition, Labor understands the gravity of climate change and its far-reaching effects on our young people.
That’s why, as Peter Dutton talks up his uncosted, unrealistic and unworkable plan for nuclear power, Labor is building our renewables industry to power the nation and help build a safer world
The cost of living affects everyone and, on top of our measures to specifically help young people, Labor will also deliver more tax cuts for working Australians and allow them to claim $1000 in tax deductions with no receipts Along with the cost of living, Labor is focussed on our health and education systems
A re-elected Albanese Government will rebuild Medicare so everyone can see their GP for free, and invest $1 billion in mental health support
And, Labor will continue to create opportunities through education, making free TAFE permanent, fully funding public schools, and guaranteeing three days of childcare a week for families
Our young people are our future and, as your Federal Labor Member for Lyons, I’ll always fight to give you all the future you deserve.’
THE SENATE
Every State gets 12 representative in the Senate They all serve 6 year terms, and half are elected in each Federal Election Basically, that means, this election there are 6 Senate seats up for grabs in Tassie Some of the Senators who held these seats for the last 6 years are re-running (this is indicated next to their name), but you don’t need to vote for them if you don’t want to. You will need to pick 6 candidates to vote above the line or 12 to vote below.
Here are the candidates, as they will appear in Group Order on the Ballot Paper in the voting booth:
Dennis Bilic - Sustainable Australia Party - Universal Basic Income
Pierre Richardson - Sustainable Australia Party - Universal Basic Income
Claire Chandler - Liberal *seeking re-election
Richard Mansell Colbeck - Liberal *seeking re-election
Jacki Martin - Liberal
Wayne Leslie Moore - Trumpet of Patriots
Matt Kelly - Trumpet of Patriots
Greg Smith - Trumpet of Patriots
Matt Owen - Legalise Cannabis Party
Gail Hester - Legalise Cannabis Party
Casey Davies - Animal Justice Party
Kate Elizabeth Lucas - Animal Justice Party
Nick McKim - The Greens *running for re-election
Vanessa Bleyer - The Greens
Scott Jordan - The Greens
Trenton Hoare - The Greens I’maUniStudent
Jacqui Lambie - Jacqui Lambie Network *seeking re-election
Christine Hannan - Jacqui Lambie Network
Chrysten Abraham - Libertarian
Nicole Armstrong - Libertarian
Lee Hanson - Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
James Dunn - Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
Daryl Staggard - Citizens Party
Ray Williams - Citizens Party
Carol Brown - Australian Labor Party *seeking re-election
Richard Dowling - Australian Labor Party
Bailey Falls - Australian Labor Party
Saxon O’Donnell - Australian Labor Party
Greg Luckman - Australian Labor Party
Amelia Louise Meyers - Australian Labor Party
Phillip Bigg - Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Melanie Roach - Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Fenella Edwards - Independant
WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY
Now that you’ve gone through everything you need to know about each party and are an educated voter there is the actual day! Whether you’re a first time voter or a well seasoned one the actual day itself can be overwhelming and it’s easy to forget some key things
Where to find your closest voting station:
Usually, but not always, local schools or halls will be set up as voting stations and are a safe bet but if you’re ever unsure or need directions to your closest station check the AEC website by searching ‘Where can I vote in the 2025 election ” The site will take you to a page where you can input your postcode and it will list those stations closest to you Here’s everything you will need to bring with you to actually vote- don’t worry its not a long list!
A current piece of ID- driver’s license or passport (not your student ID this is not an exam)
How to vote card or this Togatus edition if you need it- you are welcome to take this on your phone or other device or simply write it all down on a piece of paper- again, this is not an exam and you’re free to bring whatever you need to vote well!
Couple of coins- because who doesn’t want to make the most of the joy of democracy with a cheeky sausage after your vote, or before, or both, maybe its bulking season for you!
What will happen-
When you arrive there will be campaigners for some parties outside your polling place, try not to let this overwhelm you, you’re more than welcome to stop and have a chat but remember this is your vote and your choice. When you walk in, there will be a desk with one or more AEC volunteers with a computer, they will ask for your name and address so they can find you in the AEC database and for your ID, they will then ask what electorate you are voting in, give you that electorate’s ballot papers and direct you to the voting booth These booths have screens on either side so that your vote remains confidential Again, you have every right to take a device and follow a how to vote card AND you can take as LONG as you need to complete your vote, there is no rush Once you have completed your ballots, fold them in half and place in the correct ballot box and go grab yourself a sausage on exit, democracy sure works up an appetite
Important things to remember:
Follow instructions on each ballot paper regarding how many candidates you need to number (all the boxes in your order of preference for the House of Representatives; for the Senate vote, at least 1-6 ABOVE the line, or at least 1-12 BELOW the line)
If you mess up your vote just take your ballot back to the desk and ask for another, the person there will properly dispose your old ballot paper and provide you with another If you are with a non- English speaking person on the day, whether your parent or friend please remind them it is their right to get a translation We don’t want their vote going to waste if numbered incorrectly due to a language barrier, every vote matters! In terms of getting the appropriate translator on the day there is a booklet created by the AEC that explains the voting process in 20-25 languages OR they can call up the AEC prior to election day and get a translator to explain the process which is presented in an unbiased way On the day, should there be any issues, the AEC volunteers are there to help in any way they can, just ASK
The opinions expressed herein are not those of the editors, the publishers, the University of Tasmania, or the Tasmanian University Student Association Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the content and information included is as up-to-date and accurate as possible at the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken towards Togatus for any errors or omissions.
If you have concerns or questions about anything that has been published, contact the Editor-in-Chief, Evelyn Unwin Tew, by email
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