Elector ennui

Australia has a new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, who led the Labor party to a landslide victory over John Howard's Liberal party coalition in yesterdays federal election. There was already intense speculation in the lead up to the election that Howard's 11 and 1/2 year reign would come to an end, which is surprising, considering how the Australian economy has prospered under the Howard government. Some say the change in leadership is a result of public weariness with the Liberal party, although industrial relations and environmental policies are also factors. It seems odd that simple voter boredom would be such a deciding factor in an election outcome.

My general impression is that in America, you're labelled as either a Republican or Democrat, whereas the party alliance of a typical Australian is less polarised and defining. I've voted for the Howard government in the past, but my relationship with the Liberal party soured when Australia entered the so-called 'War on Terror' and sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. Look at the situation in these countries now, it's completely deplorable and was sadly avoidable. No matter how strong the Australian economy was under Howard leadership, I felt it was morally objectionable to further support the Liberal party as the war continued and have not voted for Liberal ever since. Funnily enough, from what I hear from back home, the Iraq war hasn't featured heavily in the election campaign. Guess people got bored with that too.

Voting is compulsory for Australians over 18 years old, and a couple of weeks ago I registered as an overseas voter, but my voter forms have yet to reach me. Obviously my vote isn't going to affect the outcome so no big deal. However, there's a $20 fine for not voting. Crap. Well, it's better than a kick in the ass.