Very happy to see that the left leaning Albanese government in Oz has been returned with probably an big increased majority for another 3 years (so short but 5 is too long) in the General Election today.

The turnout as usual is at least 90% of voters. Voting is compulsory although it's only a $20 fine for not voting.

And it looks like the ghastly Trump loving Opposition leader has lost his seat. He partied on NYE at Mar A Lago with Oz oligarch Gina Reinhardt. He liked Trump's policies (what they?) and it probably worked against him. The Trump effect.

For me it means out NHS style socialized medicine is safe again. The difference is none of it has been privatised as the Opposition wanted to emulate the NHS plus charge people when they see a doctor (currently free). Every citizen pays a small monthly tax which adds up to $Billions each year for state of the art care.

## I have 3 regular doctors and they are all Chinese. My dad came back from China in the 70s and said he found it remarkable that if you got sick there it was sen as a failure by your doctor to keep you well which sounded like an excellent idea.

Hedda wrote, "The turnout as usual is at least 90% of voters. Voting is compulsory although it's only a $20 fine for not voting."

Meanwhile fake DeMockracy UK has £1,000 fine for non-return of Census Forms (of control) every 10 years. But NO penalty for not voting in an Election or Referendum - DOH?!

And, low turnout fake vote Brexshit had 13 million NON-voters. Meaning that a 62% majority did NOT vote 'Leave'. Same 62% majority 'Remain' as in sensible Scotland and Ulster.

FOOLED again by money-man Farage, "UKIP if U want to we're staying Wide Awake!"

Why fine people for not voting, surely it should be up to the individual?

Because the democratically elected (by the people) government decreed that voting there is compulsory - by law.

Green Man wrote:
Why fine people for not voting, surely it should be up to the individual?

It's been law since the 1920s but of course there are fair arguments against it.

But I find very few people object and it's had the effect of bringing out the voters..as I said over 90% usually vote.

And paying $20 every 3 years is hardly onerous and there was one year I didn't vote and I don't think I ever paid the fine.

It also means the winning party..Labor now who have crucified the Opposition with a huge majority can claim to have a solid mandate of a majority of voters.

Unlike the UK Labour government who cannot claim to have a mandate on a minority vote.

If I was in Oz, I would just spoil the ballot paper with a Sharpie.

As a silent protest.

Wow..Labor so far have over a 50 seat majority over the Opposition who have been decimated. That means they're really in for at least 6 years.

And the Greens have lost seats to Labor which I know was because they held up Labor's plans to spend $Billions on social housing.(Albanese was brought up in social housing by a single mother)

Looks like The Greens however will hold the balance of power in the Upper House so lots of horsetrading there.

I knew Albanese would win as the media underestimated his popularity.

It's interesting that the Murdoch media didn't go to harshly against Labor. Rupert and Lachlan must have read which way the wind was blowing.

Also a great repudiation of Trump style policies beloved of the Opposition.