Aussie Elections

Not just politics - Our future!

A cartoon

A thought

We are all watching democracy under threat in the USA. As Australia heads to the polls on May 3rd we need to remember that kind of threat does not respect borders and is popping its angry head up here, too (Trumpet of Patriots, anyone?!?!).

We can’t afford to be smug or complacent. Australian democracy isn’t ancient and solid. Do you realise just how recent and evolving this whole experiment is?

• Our first federal vote was in 1901.

• Women were able to vote federally in 1902.

• Compulsory voting was introduced in 1924. (As an aside, only 27 countries have compulsory voting and only 14 of them actively enforce the legislation, including Australia).

• First Nations people could vote federally in 1962, but were not included under the compulsory voting rules.

• Eighteen-year-olds couldn’t vote until 1973.

• The prisoner's right to vote was not established until 2006 (with some exclusions).

So you might argue that Australia’s democracy is only 19 years old, but even that might change again; there is an active campaign to reduce the voting age to sixteen - https://www.makeit16.au. At 16, young people can work, pay taxes, drive and join the military - surely they deserve a say in their future? As a mum of three capable, caring young people, I would fully support this change.

We treat democracy as a finished product, a product that is failing, but that is where we are wrong - it’s an idea worth fighting for, and it's still under construction.

So what democracy?

Democracy means power belongs to the people.
Not just the loudest. Not just the richest. Not just the whitest. Not just the oldest.
Everyone.

From the Greek dēmos = the people, kratos = power or rule. It first emerged in the Western world in Athens around 508 BCE, where some citizens could vote directly on laws. However, women, slaves and non-citizens could not vote. Only about 10-20% of the population could actually vote. In most Western democracies today, about 70-75% of the population is eligible to vote.

Of course, there are many other consensus, consultation and shared decision-making systems of governance in Indigenous cultures, but as we are to vote in a Western democratic system next month, I will focus on that for today.

The system is not perfect, but it is the only system we have (for now) that has some capacity to steer us towards something fairer, more human, and more survivable. It has the best chance of working when we show up and participate. So, how do we participate?

VOTE - make a contributing vote; failing to turn up or placing a donkey vote is still a vote, just a vote for the status quo - more of the same. If you want to participate in building a better future, you have to vote for it. I read a super statement from

Louise Tilbrook

who mostly writes about knitting and the joys of a slow life on her Substack @Everday Knitter. In the wake of “liberation” day tariff chaos, she said: “Sadly many people are going to find that you can choose to try and ‘not do’ politics but politics will do you regardless.”

GET EDUCATED - take the time to work out who is running, what they stand for and how their decisions would impact our lives. That means voting in line with your values, not out of habit, not because of family tradition and not out of fear. To find out who is running in your seat use the ABC election guide: https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2025/guides.

BASIC RESPECT - we need to show a basic level of respect for the process and the people who put themselves forward. Politicians are not perfect, but I believe most of them want to make a positive difference. Disagreement is baked into democracy - when you are asking everyone what they want, there will always be a huge range of different ideas - politics is supposed to be the place where we can discuss options, not fight each other to the death.

SUPPORT - find the person or people locally who best represent your hope and vision for the future and offer them support in whatever way you can.

Do you need another reason to get fired up to vote this election?

This election doesn't feel like just another pendulum swing between Labour and the Libs. It feels like there are larger cracks in the two-party system. Once upon a time, Labor was the party of workers, unions, fair wages, public health, and dignity on the job. The Liberals were the party of small business, aspiration, and personal responsibility. The Nationals were about the land, farming communities and regional strength. Sure, they still pay lip service to those core ideals, but I feel we have seen them all hollowed out and repurposed for profit, not people - corporate influence has crept into all the major parties - most of us can feel this - we are shouting at the sidelines while lobbyists write policy - that makes us feel like democracy is broken. It is not - it will evolve if we give it a chance, but we have to participate.

The Australian system has a secret superpower - preferential voting. We’re not stuck picking the least-worst option — we get to rank our choices. That means you can vote with your heart and still have a say if your first pick doesn’t get up - you can’t waste your vote. It gives minor parties and independents a real shot.

So, my call to you this election? Old loyalties don’t mean what they used to. If we want a government that actually works for us, we have to elect representatives who actually represent us - our values and our community. To me, it is increasingly looking like independent and minor parties are serious alternatives - people who aren’t beholden to party donors or internal factions. People who actually represent their local communities.

If we get a minority government, we’re heading for a future where power is more diffuse, more negotiated, and potentially more accountable. It might be messier, but it could also be more honest and more representative. That will only happen if we are willing to shake off the old habits, get informed, and vote like something new is possible.

Because it is.

Glimmers and sparks*

My glimmers for today are:

• All the wonderful photos, videos and stories from the #HandsOff protests - some of those videos moved me to tears - thank you from the other side of the world!

• Clear, cool, sparkly weather.

• An olive loaf of sourdough from Three Mills bakery - yum.

• A visit to an exhibition of Masami Teraoka’s work and Japanese Ukiyo-e prints. This is a super little exhibition that pairs Masami’s woodblock/pop art prints with the 1830-1900 Ukiyo-e style prints that he took inspiration from. It's cool to see the historical evolution of the colour palette I use in L’il Bean - Japanese Riso inks, which were developed in the 1980s but date right back to woodblock prints of the 1830s. Also cool to see an artist whose work is unapologetically political and for the social good.

Li’l bean is your reminder to pause and ask: What are your glimmers for today?

From your friend and your small, steadfast companion,

*Drawing Li’l Bean helped me navigate out of a period of depression in 2023. A good friend 13, 595km away, helped, too, through a ritual of swapping daily glimmers via text.

A glimmer is a tiny spark of hope, enthusiasm or joy that lifts your heart. By helping me find three glimmers each day, she gently helped me see the joy and beauty already around me.

I’d like to share this practice with you and invite you to reflect on your glimmers for the day when you read this. Think of Li’l Bean as a reminder to notice the glimmers and sparks in your life. We’d love it if you would like to share your glimmers in the comments or by hitting reply (if you don’t like sharing publicly).