Bobby Said:

How come the Labor party in Australia is still in government when it lost the election ?

We Answered:

Because our country is not a democracy. This was not the people's vote. Liberal got about 400,000 moe votes than Labour, yet the choice came down to a few independents. What's the point of voting if you vote for the winning party, yet they don't even get elected?

Danny Said:

Why do US elections happen on a Tuesday?

We Answered:

It's from the old days. People had to often travel for a day to get to the polling booth. To avid people having to travel on the sabbath, the election was held on Tuesdays, giving Monday to travel to the booth.

Todd Said:

Is it compulsory for people in Australia to vote in elections?

We Answered:

Voting is compulsory for all State and Federal elections. Voting in local municipal elections is compulsory in some states but not others. Generally, if you fail to vote you will receive a fine notice. You can get out of paying the fine by being overseas during the election, serving in the armed forces overseas, being an inmate in a prison (some states remove voting privileges for prisoners), or simply don't register to vote when you turn 18 (once you do register they will find you). Voting and paying taxes are mostly the only compulsory national duties in Australia. We have had conscription in the past (Vietnam war for instance) but those laws have long since been repealed.

Kenneth Said:

Australia election - will anything change relating to Iraq?

We Answered:

what did his manifesto say?

Kristen Said:

What is the longest amount of time allowed between Federal elections in Australia?

We Answered:

The longest time allowed between elections for the House of Representatives is:
3 years from the first sitting day of the current Parliament
+ 10 days maximum to the issue of writs
+ 28 days maximum to the close of nominations
+ 30 days maximum to polling day

Naomi Said:

Why are elections in Australia becoming more and more American?

We Answered:

okay, well there are two factors in my view:
1. American popular culture. Our culture of stars, Hollywood and big money have turned politics into theater. And to some extent, I think that has made politics more superficial, focusing on commercials instead of the issues.
2. The larger point. Politics in Australia isn't that much different than politics around the world. The Australian electoral map shows that like the US, urban areas vote liberal and the outback votes conservative. It's a sociological explanation.

Unlike other countries though, Australia has a few large cities and a whole lot of nothing. Very much like the US... two coasts, and a whole lot of nothing in between.