Get My Vote!
1,471,000 Voters are under 24! According to the Australian Electoral Commission, there were 3.973 million voters under 35 in the 2004 election, of whom 1.471 million were under 24.
So, you’ve enrolled to vote for the upcoming Federal Election and your keen to go, but, who to vote for?
Traditionally, there are two major parties in Australia with a chance of winning the government (and deciding who becomes the Prime Minister), the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party of Australia (Liberal) also known as the Coalition because they team up with the National Party.
In addition to these two are a number of other parties, which, while not as big, still hold influence and value in the political landscape. These parties include the Australian Democrats, the Greens Party, Family First and the Christian Democratic Party.
Following this lot are numerous smaller groups, such as the Shooters Party, Australians Against Further Immigration and the Lower Excise for Fuel and Beer parties which service niche voter and lobby groups.
Last but not least, a number candidates run independent from any party, these guys are known as Independents (funnily enough).
Australian Labor Party
Typically the blue collar party. ALP is often said to march to the beat of the workers drums, having long standing ties with Unions and championing the cause of social reform.
http://www.alp.org.au/
Liberal Party/Nationals
Australian Liberal Party YouTube Channel
Free market economical folk. The Liberal party are all about individual rights and pride themselves on economic management. The Nationals largely look after country areas
http://www.liberal.org.au/
Australian Democrats
‘Keep the bastards honest’. The Democrats have modelled themselves as the bane of self-important politicians and champions of democracy at all costs.
http://www.democrats.org.au
The Greens
Long before Al Gore the Greens have campaigned long and hard to keep Mother earth in our political conscience.
http://www.greens.org.au/
Family First
The name says it all. FF is a relative new comer, promising to represent everyday Australian families and small businesses.
http://www.familyfirst.org.au/
Christian Democratic Party
Its all about keeping the faith. The CDP ensures that the strong voice of Christian Australia is heard in Parliament.
Senator On-line
Senator On-Line is not aligned to any other political party… it is neither Liberal nor Labor.
Senator On-Line (‘SOL’) allows everyone on the Australian Electoral roll who has access to the internet to vote on every Bill put to Parliament and have its Senators vote in accordance with a clear majority view.
The Shooters Party
Fighting for your right to bear arms.
http://www.shootersparty.org.au/
Australians Against Further Immigration
Need I say more? (This party has been de-registered)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australians_Against_Further_Immigration
Socialist Alliance
The Socialist Alliance is an anti-capitalist party. They stand for socialism - a democratic society that is run by and for working people.
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/
Lower Excise on Fuel and Beer
Looking after the essentials.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Excise_Fuel_and_Beer_Party
Party not listed? Contact us. Go to About iVote
Policy Section
Environment Policies:
Labor
Labor plans to ratify the Kyoto protocol and to set up a national trading emissions scheme.
- cash rebates for solar panel and low interest loans of up to $10,000 for practical action at home.
- Labor will help industry produce greener cars with a $500 million investment.
- Labor has suggested a target of reducing our emissions by 60% by 2050.
- Labor stands behind their National Water Initiative which emphasizes a national effort to best address our interests.
Liberal Party
The Liberal/Coalition will set the agenda for 'Beyond Kyoto' and work with the global community to develop a more effective global response to Climate Change.
- They will invest $200 million of the Australian Water Fund to restore the Health of the River Murray - this will result in a total $1.2 billion to reduce the pressure on the River Murray and restore it to health.
- establish a $2 billion Australian Water Fund for practical, onthe-ground water solutions
- act immediately to add over 170,000 hectares of old growth forest to the current reserve system.
- invest $75 million in a Solar Cities Trial, choose Adelaide as Australia's first city to host a solar city trial, and fund solar city trials in three other urban centers.
Democrats
The Democrats have proposed a ‘Negawatts’ scheme that avoids excess energy consumption through efficiency.
Greens
The Greens wish to have the Kyoto Protocol ratified and would like to take a leading role in negotiating a ‘post-Kyoto’ multilateral emission reduction treaty which includes binding emission targets for all countries.
- The Greens have set a target of reducing our emissions by 80% by 2050.
Family First
Family First supports ratifying the kyoto protocol.
- Family First supports a higher priority for funding to alternative energy research and more effective technologies for treatment and recycling of waste.
Industrial Relations:
Liberal Party
A re-elected Coalition Government will continue with its current program of workplace relations reform.
- A re-elected Coalition will make employment regulations less burdensome on small business and seek further simplification of awards.
- A re-elected Coalition will continue to oppose Federal Labor’s attempts to remove sections from the Trade Practices Act (TPA) that hold trade unions accountable for losses caused to businesses by unlawful strike action.
Labor
The Labor Party wishes to replace Australian Workplace Agreements and reinstate collective bargaining.
- Labor believes collective bargaining is the fairest way forward.
- Labor will set up ‘Fair Work Australia’, who will offer examples of simple, flexible collective agreements for employers and employees to use as a guide
Democrats
The Democrats support IR reform so long as it is moderate, steady, considered and fair; and that it delivers productivity, efficiency, jobs growth and competitive gains that accord with the values and goals of a civilised first-world society - fair and just pay and conditions and treatment.
Greens
The Greens plan to scrap the Coalition’s WorkChoices legislation by abolishing individual workplace agreements.
Family First
Family First voted against the Government Work Choices legislation and introduced a bill to give back to workers and their families minimum conditions like paid public holidays, overtime, penalty rates and meal breaks.