I've been voting in this country for 30 years, and for the last 20, it doesn't seem to make a difference beyond undoing the last governments work.. Maybe you see something I don't.

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[–] Zozano@aussie.zone 20 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Vote for independents, even if you're sure they'll lose. Preferential voting is a beautiful system which benefits you in ways you might not realise.

It forces the winning party to consider emulating the top independents. It also encourages the independents to try again.

My top choice is always whoever has the best environmental protection policies, animal welfare protections, and wants to address climate change.

This normally means I vote: Independents > Greens > Labour > Liberal > Nationals

[–] zurohki@aussie.zone 7 points 7 months ago

Obligatory You Can't Waste Your Vote! comic.

[–] alansuspect@aussie.zone 6 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I think I heard something about the smaller parties getting more funding in the next election if they get more votes. The big parties will always get votes, it's nice to help the smaller parties out if you believe in them.

[–] Tau@aussie.zone 9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

They can get funding, but not in the next election. If you get more than 4% of first preference votes then you can get money after an election to help repay expenditure for that election, up to the lesser of the amount you have spent or the number of first preference votes multiplied by a few dollars (currently $3.29). Reading the info page it seems to make it easier they pay out $12k if you qualify and you can claim more if necessary.

This does mean it's worthwhile spending your first preference on a smaller candidate you approve of though. They aren't necessarily getting ahead with that funding but being able to offset their election spending would be a real benefit to people/groups which don't have piles of money to spend (and makes it more likely they'll be able to try again next election).

[–] alansuspect@aussie.zone 4 points 7 months ago

Thanks!

[–] Zozano@aussie.zone 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I heard this too, but I've also heard contradictory statements, so I was reluctant to make that claim. Hopefully they do.

[–] alansuspect@aussie.zone 4 points 7 months ago

I did a quick search - looks like it is based on the number of first pref votes: https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/public_funding/index.htm