election 2010 - cfmeu

UNITY 18
ELECTION 2010
A VOTE IS A VOICE
Apprentices Organiser Charishma
Kaliyanda recalls the excitement of
voting for the first time and believes
in the power of the ballot box
IN AUSTRALIA, LIKE ANY DEMOCRACY,
voting is an integral part of our society.
Political decisions and governments affect
many, if not most, aspects of our lives – from the
laws and regulations that affect our working conditions
to the incentives apprentices get for learning
their trade.
Voting is a chance for people to have their
say about the direction of the country and is like
a progress report on an incumbent government.
Elections are supposed to keep governments
and politicians accountable to their constituents,
on a local, state and federal level.
The last federal and state elections in 2007
were momentous for me. These were the first
I was ever able to vote in, so filling in my ballot
papers and getting my name ticked off on the roll
were quite exciting.
Then, seeing the Howard Government booted
out so convincingly that John Howard lost his
own seat made me feel as if I had directly helped
get rid of him!
In my family, we’ve always had spirited debates
and discussions about politics. My dad is a strong
trade unionist and I’ve got a strong sense of social
justice, so obviously I felt strongly about many
issues that were being played out in politics.
A really important part of the whole process
is being aware of where your vote is going and
what you’re voting for. The mainstream media is
covering the election campaigns of the ALP, the
Coalition and the Greens in a big way.
But take a bit of time to go beyond the media
– speak to family, friends and workmates, speak
to the candidates for your local electorate about
their policies if you see them during the campaign
or on polling day.
Part of all of this also might be asking ques-
ENROL!
Of the Australians of voting age not on
the electoral roll, the Australian Electoral
Commission estimates about 70 per cent
are aged between 18 and 39. About 45 per
cent of 18-year-olds and 30 per cent of
19-year-olds are not on the electoral roll.
If you have missed out this election make
sure you don’t miss out again. Collect
enrolment forms from your post office or
visit the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au
MAKING IT COUNT
Charishma Kaliyanda believes grassroots activism can influence politics
tions about how it all works. I still don’t get some
of the complexities of the preferencing system!
The main thing you get from this is how to tell
what’s real from the crap!
Voting and elections, however, are not the
only part of a democracy and politics.
If you feel strongly about an issue, whether
it’s a glamorous one that’s constantly covered in
the media or not, there are other things you can
do to make your opinions heard.
Write a letter to your local member or a relevant
minister, speak to candidates in your local
electorate and put in your 2 cents worth, or join a
political party.
The base of a political party is its members
– so a Member of Parliament is not just a voice
for the people of their electorate, but also the platform
of the Party they are aligned to.
Joining a political party means you can directly
contribute to the formulation of policies that
MPs then push in Parliament – a much more
direct way of being involved.
After the last federal election, I signed up the
ALP and take every opportunity to go along to my
local branch meetings.
Here, I get an opportunity to raise issues with
my local MP, I can also listen to issues that other
people have and contribute if need be.
So this federal election, don’t just rely on
others to tell you who to vote for – make an
informed decision!