Minchin seeks end to compulsory voting

The Federal Finance Minister Nick Minchin has begun a push for the
Government to adopt a policy of voluntary voting in federal elections.

Senator Minchin says voluntary voting is an important barometer of the health of a political system.

He says he favours the New Zealand model, where eight out of 10 people exercised their right to vote in the recent election.

Senator Minchin says he would like the Government to seek a mandate at
the next federal poll, to change the compulsory voting laws in the
Electoral Act.

“It’s a question of whether the coalition parties and Members of
Parliament are prepared to agree that, when we go to the next election,
we should propose to the people that you no longer be forced to vote,”
he said.

“And then, if we are successful at the election, then we should look to introducing that in the next term of Parliament.”

Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1463769.htm