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Wednesday May 23, 2012

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Hinch doesn't want to be counted

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 11 January, 2012 - 5:14 PM
Hinch Blog: Undemocratic Voting

As you may have seen in the Herald Sun or Daily Telegraph today or on the 3AW Twitter last night, I am heading back to court.

Nothing to do with last year's battles and my five months under House Arrest. It concerns my failure to vote at the last Victorian State election.

Thousands of people don't vote at federal, state and council elections but sometimes the Electoral Commission decides to make an example and fine people.

This week I received formal notification that I have to pay just over $150 dollars in fines and penalties and costs.

I have never voted in my life - for two valid reasons which I'll explain - and don't intend to. I've been fined several before and paid them. But this time I thought 'bugger it. I'm going to fight it.' So it's off to the Magistrates' Court. Again.

Why will I fight it? Because I believe compulsory voting is undemocratic. They don't have it in any other western country. Not the United States or Canada or Britain or across the ditch in New Zealand. Why here? Why are adult Australians treated like children?

The issue came up a few years ago with senior Liberal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, pushing for it but it was buried yet again by the Howard Government. 

They flirted with the idea of putting it to a referendum at the next federal election but then put it in the 'too hard' basket. Even though Howard himself had in the past been an opponent of compulsory voting.

My second, personal, reason for never voting  has something to do with my job as a broadcaster. I really do not believe that journalists and commentators should vote. Or if they do, they should divulge their political leanings to the readers and viewers and listeners who follow their interrogations of our leaders vying for office.

You should know the political loyalties of Hinch, Oakes, Martin, Munro, Negus and O'Brien. I could, and did, interview Hawke, Keating, Howard, Peacock, Hewson, Fraser, Rudd, Abbott and Gillard after federal elections and they knew that I did not vote for them or against them.

This issue has been around for more than 80 years. Back in 1926 a member of the Socialist Labor Party tried to argue that he had not voted because all the candidates were advocating capitalism and that was against his socialist beliefs. It went all the way to the High Court where it was tossed out.

And save yourself a postage stamp over the specious argument that voting is NOT compulsory. "You just have to present yourself at the booth and have your name checked off."

It's a canard that I have argued many times with former Liberal Party leader Andrew Peacock. And Kim Beazley used the same spiel.

He once said: "Voluntary voting exists now. When you go to the polling booth you get given a ballot paper and you're ticked off the roll. If you choose to stick the ballot paper in your back pocket and walk out the door, nothing happens."

Maybe somebody should have explained the Electoral laws to the Bomber. As I understand it, if you try to leave the precincts of a polling booth with a ballot paper you are committing a federal offence.

Even the Electoral Commission's own paperwork carries the warning that 'Voting is compulsory'.

PLAY: Derryn Hinch on why he wants the law changed

Blog comments Your Say

  • One of Derryn's new year wishes was a federal election but he refuses to vote. That's like getting a bike for Xmas and not riding it :p

    Mylene Tuesday 17 January, 2012 - 9:21 AM

  • State Government's are a scam allways have allways will be till we get rid of them well done Derryn

    col Monday 16 January, 2012 - 8:22 AM

  • Whilst I continue to see adults gathering at churches, still believing in Father Christmas if you like, Iâ??ll always know things wonâ??t change.

    When people stop being sheep and begin to think for themselves, grow strong in character and develop the courage to make their own decisions, things may finally change, but given the history of the manipulated masses, I very much doubt it.

    We have compulsory voting in this country for one reason only. The powers that be, know the majority are sheep, they can spin them any yarn they like, and theyâ??ll follow.

    If the thinkers were the only voters, most politicians, business leaders and religious representatives, would be on unemployment.

    Bob Sunday 15 January, 2012 - 2:03 PM

  • Totally agree Derryn.
    However I also haven't voted but never received a fine mostly due to the reason of never enrolling and being on the list I'm presuming.

    Rob Friday 13 January, 2012 - 3:47 PM

  • I don't like paying taxes either, for the same reasons you don't vote. I just don't believe in them. Can I join your new political party? Oh, but if we convince too many people not to vote for us then how will we ever get elected...? And even if we do manage to get elected (although we can't be bothered voting even for ourselves), then we won't have any money to manage the country, unless we plunder the future fund...
    In any case, I fully support your view that, as proud upstanding Australians, we should not have to put up with such onerous conditions of citizenship - voting and paying taxes. After all, do the citizens of North Korea have to put up with these burdens??

    perspective Friday 13 January, 2012 - 12:35 AM

  • Great to have you back.
    Totally agree. Voluntary voting would eliminate all the donkey voters and hopefully give a a better idea of who the [informed] people want in power.

    Wendy Spencer Thursday 12 January, 2012 - 9:58 PM

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