Democrats – Voting Informal is not a Protest

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 18 August, 2010

Voting Informal is not a Protest

Mark Latham’s call for citizens on the electoral roll, who are disgruntled with the major parties, to record an informal vote is possibly the most idiotic request by a political figure, period! ‘Voting’ informal is a wasted vote, not a protest vote. Those that do record a correct vote will have their vote counted, and only those votes will determine whether a candidate is elected or not. An informal vote is an unrealised vote; its potential to effect change has been stifled by its owner. Australian Democrats’ lead Senate candidate in Tasmania, Paulene Hutton, notes, “Mr. Latham, who came close to being Prime Minister of this country, should know how our electoral system works. To ask voters to throw away their vote because they are aggrieved with the major parties is totally irresponsible.”
Ms. Hutton has called upon all voters to cast their vote wisely, “All voters should enter the polling booth armed with as much knowledge as possible about all the candidates, and their parties if they belong to one.
“If there are voters who have been ‘turned off’ by the actions and policies of The ALP, The Coalition, and even The Greens, these voters may have other candidates to choose from, and they should look at the other candidates. They may be pleasantly surprised by what these candidates have to say, what they stand for”, said Ms. Hutton.
Tim Neal, The Australian Democrats’ second Tasmanian Senate candidate, while acknowledging that the minor parties and independents have an uphill battle to claim seats in Parliament, he believes if voters want to make a protest vote against the major parties the best way to do it is by voting for the minor party or independent candidate that appeals to their views the most, “We [Paulene and Tim] would love to be elected to the Senate on Saturday, but realise that both of us getting in [elected] may be fairly improbable. Voters have the power in their hands to make our dreams a reality. There are choices. If voters are not happy with the majors [parties] then vote for real people who want real change.”
Ms. Hutton added, “We are not professional politicians who are beholden to a party political line. Being part of The Democrats means we have a say in what our policies are and will be. We are ordinary Australians who want to make an extraordinary difference, and we want to give Australians the best deal we can. Get on our website, read what we stand for. You might not agree with what we have to offer, but then again, you might find the party with the policies and principles that you have been searching for.”