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Voting is compulsory in Australia – and the vast majority of us comply with this requirement. In 2019, almost 92% of enrolled Australians turned out to vote in the federal election.
But anyone sick of politicians and sick of waiting in lines might see election day as a chore, not a democratic thrill, especially in a campaign that has been going for nearly five weeks (are we there yet?).
Today, the Australian National University’s Intifar Chowdhury encourages us to look at the bigger picture. “The purpose of voting is not always conclusively to decide the outcome of an election. In fact, the odds of doing so are next to nothing,” she writes.
Even if you don’t live in a marginal or teal-threatened seat (or love what proportional representation does to your vote in the Senate), voting is your hard-won civic duty. “Just as little drops make a mighty ocean, your individual vote does contribute to a stronger democracy,” says Chowdhury.
And with just over a week to go until polling day, Michelle Grattan writes that the election is now Anthony Albanese’s to lose. Next week will see the release of some important economic data on unemployment and wages. These could play to either major party, but it is Labor that has the headwind leading into the final week of a long campaign.
On a side note, it’s day five of our 2022 donations campaign and we still need your help. If you haven’t donated yet, please give today – every little bit counts and we’re relying on our readers more than ever to give. And if you’ve already given, thank you!
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Judith Ireland
Deputy Editor, Politics + Society
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Intifar Chowdhury, Australian National University
Voting is not just about getting a sausage sandwich and avoiding a fine. There are many reasons - historical, political and personal - to vote on or before May 21.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Despite Albanese’s campaign hiccups, at the end of this penultimate week, based on the objective evidence, the election appears to be Morrison’s to lose.
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Philip C. Almond, The University of Queensland
From talk of a ‘poisonous doctrine’ to mistaken beliefs that he hailed from Africa, Western thinkers got Buddhism wrong for a long time.
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Daniel Merino, The Conversation
Two ADHD researchers discuss advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD.
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Muriel Porter
Sydney Diocese opposition to same-sex marriage is rejected by other diocese at the General Synod- a move that may see the church fracture.
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Carly Steele, Curtin University; Graeme Gower, Curtin University; Rhonda Oliver, Curtin University; Sender Dovchin, Curtin University
The languages and the methods of classroom assessments need to be expanded. Such changes will make assessment more inclusive and fairer for all, particularly First Nations students.
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Henry Cutler, Macquarie University; Jeffrey Braithwaite, Macquarie University
There are solutions to long surgery wait lists and workforce shortages, if the major parties had the bravery to commit to reform.
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Jodie L. Rummer, James Cook University; Scott F. Heron, James Cook University
Efforts to save the reef aren’t tackling the main cause: climate change. What we need from our next federal government is strong leadership to avert the climate crisis.
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Politics + Society
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Narelle Miragliotta, Monash University; Stephen Mills, University of Sydney; Susan Harris Rimmer, Griffith University
Experts and undecided voters from pubs across the country awarded the debate to Albanese, in what was a much more civil contest than the previous debate.
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Stephen Hickson, University of Canterbury
The call for GST exemptions on food is a regular feature of New Zealand politics, but it’s far from the simple cost of living solution many seem to think it is.
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Niro Kandasamy, University of Sydney
Sri Lankans are contending with growing levels of starvation, death and disruption. Now they are also facing the brutal violence of the state.
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Evita March, Federation University Australia
A psychologist who has been researching internet trolling for seven years explains why people troll.
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Health + Medicine
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Ria Hopkins, UNSW Sydney; Natasa Gisev, UNSW Sydney
Measures to curb growing rates of opioid use are also making it difficult for people with long-term, chronic pain to get ongoing prescriptions.
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Christina Zorbas, Deakin University; Kathryn Backholer, Deakin University
The rising cost of fresh fruit and vegetables has become a hot-button election issue. But neither party has suggested ways we could build a more resilient food system.
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Science + Technology
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Brittany Williams, University of Adelaide; Dominic McAfee, University of Adelaide; Sean Connell, University of Adelaide
Playing the sounds of the sea can attract lost baby oysters to join the restoration of oyster reefs.
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Rohitash Chandra, UNSW Sydney
Using machine learning, we analysed meaning and feeling in different translations of an ancient Hindu holy text.
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Environment + Energy
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Mitchell Harley, UNSW Sydney; Gerd Masselink, University of Plymouth
As sea levels rise, this natural form of beach replenishment might be an important factor in offsetting some of the damaging effects of climate change on beaches.
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David Lindenmayer, Australian National University; Brendan Mackey, Griffith University; Heather Keith, Griffith University
Directing public funds to native forest logging is bad for the economy, the climate and biodiversity, and will increase bushfire risk.
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Arts + Culture
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Mark Harvey, University of Auckland; Molly Mullen, University of Auckland
Art has value well beyond the financial, including proven health and well-being benefits. It’s time this was recognised in the way the sector is funded.
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Joanna Mendelssohn, The University of Melbourne
In 1895 the Wynne Prize was proposed as an award for a ‘landscape painting of Australian scenery’. Today it is more likely to be given to an Indigenous artist’s explanation of Country.
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Dean Biron, Queensland University of Technology
In May of 1972 the Rolling Stones released their 10th British studio album and first double LP, Exile on Main St. Reception was mixed, but the album is now considered a landmark.
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Steven Conway, Swinburne University of Technology
EA Sports and FIFA will part ways after almost 30 years of collaboration, and will each be going at games alone.
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Featured jobs
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Featured Events, Courses & Podcasts
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— Victoria, Australia — The Conversation Weekly Podcast
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— Victoria, Australia — The Conversation
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— The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia — University of Sydney
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