Is it just a 2 horse race?

[MilkOnTap]

Do you always vote either Liberal or Labor? Or do you vote for a minority or independant party?

As you would all guess - The Greens get my household's #1 vote; but is it worthwhile?

[MilkOnTap]

Also - do many people vote with the welfare of Australias defence force in mind? Just curious...?

[Baldie's Mum]

I missed the election in 2003 by a few months....but i was ready to vote for the greens! So dont lose hope.....

:hugs:

[~Bec~]

My theory is that new governments don't get voted in, current governments get voted out. That is, if the ALP wins it's not because they got voted in but because the Libs got voted out.
For all intents and purposes I think it is just a 2 horse race but that doesn't mean I'll be voting for either major party.

[Phyllis Stein]

This is a Greens #1 household too. But I did have reservations making my decision this time, as the Howard government is about as on the nose as it can possibly get. My preferences will go to Labor, and this is a safe Labor seat, so I figure voting according to my principles is the right way to go. :thumbsup:

I can definitely see a future with the Greens holding the balance of power. Especially as the realities of climate change make themselves known, and the major parties are too beholden to special interests to take the necessary action...

[SassyMummy]

I don't bother looking at any other parties, because really, there's no real chance they're going to win the election. A few might win seats... but that's a mere drop in the ocean, so I figure, if it's going to be Labor or Liberal, I might as well have some say in that.

I think my preference will go to the Greens, but I feel as though I'd be wasting my vote if I voted them.

ETA: You asked if I vote with the ADF in mind... but I forgot to answer that part. No, I don't. I suppose because we aren't an ADF family, so I don't really think about it. I don't support war, so I guess I vote with that in mind (Rudd promising to pull troops out of Iraq), but other than that, I don't really think about.

[canberramomma]

I reckon it's only a two horse race if we allow it to be. If everyone voted for independents or 'minor' parties, the Libs and ALP would be minorities.

We vote Greens, and, while we don't specifically vote with the ADF in mind, we do vote with the larger community in mind.

[forbetoel]

Yes it is a 2 horse race, and labor will get my vote, but my preference will go to the greens.

[Odessa]

It doesn't have to be a two horse race! Even just in the Senate, a bit of balance has never been a bad thing ;)

I tend to vote for independents, Greens or Dems in the Upper House.

[jenkinsdakota]

I think my preference will go to the Greens, but I feel as though I'd be wasting my vote if I voted them.

Yes it is a 2 horse race, and labor will get my vote, but my preference will go to the greens.No, the Australian preferential voting system doesn't work like that. If you voted Greens 1 and Labor 2 then becuase the Greens have no chance of winning, your vote goes to the second preference. But because you're counted as a Greens voter then the major parties see the popularity of the Greens and change policy to match what they perceive will increase votes.

[forbetoel]

No, the Australian preferential voting system doesn't work like that. If you voted Greens 1 and Labor 2 then becuase the Greens have no chance of winning, your vote goes to the second preference. But because you're counted as a Greens voter then the major parties see the popularity of the Greens and change policy to match what they perceive will increase votes.

Sorry not sure what you mean (bit brain dead this time of day)
I think that is why people vote Greens first, then Labor, because they in reality are still voting for Labor, but sending the major parties the message, that we want the enviroment to be a priority. Does that make sense???? sorry I am really tired today.

[BJelly]

I'm voting Greens and giving preference to ALP:yes: .

I want the ALP to win, but I also want to let them know there are people who care about the environment, human rights, health, education, and the common good.

I hope no matter what happens that people will learn from last time and if they do vote for the Coalition in the House of Reps, they won't vote that way for the Senate or we will suffer from more bad policy because there is no one to keep the pollies honest. I don't know if our nation as a democracy can take another term of radical changes without proper oversight or even a mandate - eg Workchoices.