In Australia, voting is compulsory, yet not every eligible voter has an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process. Since the introduction of compulsory voting in 1925, voter turnout has typically hovered around an impressive 95 percent. However, recent trends show a worrying decline in participation, particularly highlighted by the 2022 election, which recorded the lowest turnout in a century.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the turnout in the Northern Territory (NT) was notably low, with only slightly over 73 percent of enrolled voters casting their ballots. In contrast, states like Victoria and New South Wales boasted turnout rates exceeding 90 percent. The seat of Lingiari, located in the NT, reported the lowest turnout in the country, with nearly one in three enrolled voters failing to vote.
Alex Morris, a spokesperson for the AEC, explained to SBS News that this issue is prevalent in several electorates covering much of Australia's inland regions. "We saw lower turnout in some of the most remote electorates around Australia ... We're talking about places like Lingiari in the Northern Territory and electorates like Durak and O'Connor in Western Australia," he stated.
Bill Browne, director of the Australia Institute's Democracy and Accountability Program, emphasized the implications of low voter turnout, particularly for Indigenous communities. "The picture we get is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not being counted in the same numbers as other Australians are," Browne noted, highlighting the extensive challenges faced by voters in remote areas.
These challenges can range from a lack of interpreters to the limited availability of mobile voting booths, which are crucial for communities like Lingiari. Matthew Ryan, chair of the Northern Land Council, voiced concerns about the logistical difficulties faced by voters in these isolated regions. "Transportation is a big issue in our communities. Especially in remote communities that are very isolated, especially [in] the homelands that are very disadvantaged," Ryan explained.
Moreover, Ryan pointed out a growing disillusionment with politics among residents in remote areas. He described the sentiment as a "tokenistic approach" to voting, where promises from politicians often go unfulfilled. "People lost trust [in] the government," he stated, adding that empowering these communities through greater enfranchisement could lead to significant change. "Just imagine, if 4,000 people voted in this community, we would be very influential to the government," Ryan said.
In response to these challenges, the AEC is taking steps to increase voter engagement in remote regions. Ahead of the upcoming election, 70 remote polling teams will visit 480 locations across the country. "The AEC is working with our Indigenous electoral participation program to have a community-led approach to not just educating locals about enrolment, but about turnout and participation in elections as well," Morris said.
In a broader context, the frequency of elections in Australia has also come under scrutiny. The nation has one of the shortest election terms in the democratic world, averaging just 2.5 years since Federation. This rapid turnover can lead to election fatigue among voters, as highlighted by Brenda from Bristol, who expressed frustration over frequent elections in the UK. Imagine if Australians faced similar democratic pressures every 2.5 years!
While voluntary voting in countries like the UK allows for longer election terms, Australia remains in a unique position among 186 nations, where just over half have five-year terms, and 40 percent have four-year terms. The short election cycle can hinder governments from implementing long-term policies, as they are often preoccupied with immediate electoral concerns.
Gary Nunn, a freelance writer, argues that extending parliamentary terms could allow Australian leaders to focus on substantial governance rather than perpetual campaigning. He cites the example of UK Labour's recent decisions, which, although unpopular, allowed the party to establish credibility with voters over a longer term.
In the past, proposals to extend Australia’s election terms have been raised. Federal Liberal MP David Coleman, eight years ago, suggested a bill to move from three to four-year terms, citing benefits such as increased government efficacy and consistency with state term lengths. However, this proposal failed to gain traction.
More recently, academic Jill Sheppard weighed the pros and cons of four-year terms in a piece for the Parliament of Australia website. She noted that both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton have expressed support for extending terms, though the challenge of passing such a change at referendum remains significant.
Despite these challenges, the call for longer terms persists, especially in light of current global instability and the rise of populism. Nunn emphasizes that four-year terms could not only empower leaders but also enhance democratic engagement among citizens. He urges Australians to consider, "Give us another year. Show us what you can really do. Then we’ll decide if you’re worth another tiny term." This sentiment resonates with many voters who desire meaningful change and a more accountable political system.
As Australia heads toward its next election, the issues of voter turnout in remote communities and the frequency of elections will continue to be pivotal topics. Ensuring that every voice is heard and counted is essential for a robust democracy, and addressing these challenges head-on could lead to a more inclusive electoral process.
