Australia, The Nanny State

[CoraSpia]

Australia sometimes errs towards "too paternalistic," sure. However, a lot of the examples you cited seem more like odd inconveniences that likely won't impact your day to day life. If you'd cited COVID protocols in places like Vic and NSW, maybe there would be some room for substantive discussion.

But the examples posted? IDK, just seems like the kind of nonsense that gets passed in most developed countries (and that is often unenforced).

WA has some pretty insane alcohol laws. I'm pretty sure they ban the sale of short drinks.

[Risottia]

In Victoria, you can get fined for driving at 102km/h in a 100 zone.

OMG they fined me because I was speeding. How terribly authoritarian.

In Queensland, you can get fined for drinking water behind the steering wheel.

Makes sense. If you don't focus on driving while driving you are a danger to other people.

[Relden]

OMG they fined me because I was speeding. How terribly authoritarian.

Everyone drives over the speed limit.

[Risottia]

OMG they fined me because I was speeding. How terribly authoritarian.

Everyone drives over the speed limit.

And?

[Relden]

And?

I'm just saying, everyone does it.

It doesn't make it right, but me travelling at 85-90mph on the freeway in the middle of the night is hardly going to harm anyone.

[Infected Mushroom]

The worse is compulsory voting.

That's not actually the worst thing Australia does.

So then what?

[Page]

Australia sometimes errs towards "too paternalistic," sure. However, a lot of the examples you cited seem more like odd inconveniences that likely won't impact your day to day life. If you'd cited COVID protocols in places like Vic and NSW, maybe there would be some room for substantive discussion.

But the examples posted? IDK, just seems like the kind of nonsense that gets passed in most developed countries (and that is often unenforced).

Apathy toward tyranny that doesn't individually affect your daily life is why tyranny keeps worsening. I violently hate mayonnaise but I don't want to live in a society where the government is telling other people they can't have it.

If we all stood up for rights of others to do things we personally find unappealing, boring, ill-advised, or even disgusting, we'd have a lot more freedom.

[Risottia]

And?

I'm just saying, everyone does it.

It doesn't make it right, but me travelling at 85-90mph on the freeway in the middle of the night is hardly going to harm anyone.

So exactly what does your statement have to do about being fined for driving 102 where the limit is 100?

[The United States of Naru]

That's not actually the worst thing Australia does.

So then what?

I am afraid I cannot see the problem with compulsory voting. I reduces the risk of things like voter suppression that can be an issue in other countries. If you really don't what to vote, show up and do a donkey vote. The electoral commission is also very reasonable with managing exemptions. I think compulsory voting improves our democracy if anything.

[Forsher]

So then what?

I am afraid I cannot see the problem with compulsory voting. I reduces the risk of things like voter suppression that can be an issue in other countries. If you really don't what to vote, show up and do a donkey vote. The electoral commission is also very reasonable with managing exemptions. I think compulsory voting improves our democracy if anything.

It must also be said that voting in Australia is very high effort because you have to rank people. In fact, I think in some cases you have to rank everyone...

[Dazchan]

I am afraid I cannot see the problem with compulsory voting. I reduces the risk of things like voter suppression that can be an issue in other countries. If you really don't what to vote, show up and do a donkey vote. The electoral commission is also very reasonable with managing exemptions. I think compulsory voting improves our democracy if anything.

It must also be said that voting in Australia is very high effort because you have to rank people. In fact, I think in some cases you have to rank everyone...

You have to rank everyone in the House of Representatives ballot. There's usually only 4-10 candidates.

The Senate ballot usually has over a hundred names, but you don't have to rank them all. The rule used to be that you could vote for a party and they would distribute your preferences ("above the line" voting), or you could rank all 100+ candidates yourself ("below the line" voting), but the rules changed a couple of elections ago. Now if you choose to rank the candidates, you can stop after a certain number (8? 12? I can't remember), or keep going for as long as you feel is necessary.

II wouldn't call voting in Australia "high effort", but I certainly do reward myself with a democracy sausage at the end.

[Infected Mushroom]

So then what?

I am afraid I cannot see the problem with compulsory voting. I reduces the risk of things like voter suppression that can be an issue in other countries. If you really don't what to vote, show up and do a donkey vote. The electoral commission is also very reasonable with managing exemptions. I think compulsory voting improves our democracy if anything.

I’m only onboard if we get a few extra statutory holidays for it. Because I don’t want to be forced to travel and waste my time.

[Dazchan]

I am afraid I cannot see the problem with compulsory voting. I reduces the risk of things like voter suppression that can be an issue in other countries. If you really don't what to vote, show up and do a donkey vote. The electoral commission is also very reasonable with managing exemptions. I think compulsory voting improves our democracy if anything.

I’m only onboard if we get a few extra statutory holidays for it. Because I don’t want to be forced to travel and waste my time.

"Forced to travel"? I can't speak for rural areas, but I've never lived anywhere that didn't have at least three different polling stations within a ten-minute walk of my house.

[Australian rePublic]

Australia sometimes errs towards "too paternalistic," sure. However, a lot of the examples you cited seem more like odd inconveniences that likely won't impact your day to day life. If you'd cited COVID protocols in places like Vic and NSW, maybe there would be some room for substantive discussion.

But the examples posted? IDK, just seems like the kind of nonsense that gets passed in most developed countries (and that is often unenforced).

Apathy toward tyranny that doesn't individually affect your daily life is why tyranny keeps worsening. I violently hate mayonnaise but I don't want to live in a society where the government is telling other people they can't have it.

If we all stood up for rights of others to do things we personally find unappealing, boring, ill-advised, or even disgusting, we'd have a lot more freedom.

That's what I've been saying all along. Now the question is, how do I muster up the manpower to do that?

[Infected Mushroom]

I’m only onboard if we get a few extra statutory holidays for it. Because I don’t want to be forced to travel and waste my time.

"Forced to travel"? I can't speak for rural areas, but I've never lived anywhere that didn't have at least three different polling stations within a ten-minute walk of my house.

Isn’t there a long line up?

[The United States of Naru]

"Forced to travel"? I can't speak for rural areas, but I've never lived anywhere that didn't have at least three different polling stations within a ten-minute walk of my house.

Isn’t there a long line up?

Not really, the longest line is for the sausage sizzle afterwords. You can be in and out in 20 minutes tops.

[CoraSpia]

It must also be said that voting in Australia is very high effort because you have to rank people. In fact, I think in some cases you have to rank everyone...

You have to rank everyone in the House of Representatives ballot. There's usually only 4-10 candidates.

The Senate ballot usually has over a hundred names, but you don't have to rank them all. The rule used to be that you could vote for a party and they would distribute your preferences ("above the line" voting), or you could rank all 100+ candidates yourself ("below the line" voting), but the rules changed a couple of elections ago. Now if you choose to rank the candidates, you can stop after a certain number (8? 12? I can't remember), or keep going for as long as you feel is necessary.

II wouldn't call voting in Australia "high effort", but I certainly do reward myself with a democracy sausage at the end.

Do polling stations have a sausage sizzle outside of them?

[The United States of Naru]

You have to rank everyone in the House of Representatives ballot. There's usually only 4-10 candidates.

The Senate ballot usually has over a hundred names, but you don't have to rank them all. The rule used to be that you could vote for a party and they would distribute your preferences ("above the line" voting), or you could rank all 100+ candidates yourself ("below the line" voting), but the rules changed a couple of elections ago. Now if you choose to rank the candidates, you can stop after a certain number (8? 12? I can't remember), or keep going for as long as you feel is necessary.

II wouldn't call voting in Australia "high effort", but I certainly do reward myself with a democracy sausage at the end.

Do polling stations have a sausage sizzle outside of them?

Yes, it's the best bit. It serves as a fundraiser for the facilities that voting takes place in (usually schools or community centers).

[CoraSpia]

Do polling stations have a sausage sizzle outside of them?

Yes, it's the best bit. It serves as a fundraiser for the facilities that voting takes place in (usually schools or community centers).

Then it's not too bad a problem then. The vote is just a form saying 'Yes, I'd like more sausages in future years.'

[Australian rePublic]

Yes, it's the best bit. It serves as a fundraiser for the facilities that voting takes place in (usually schools or community centers).

Then it's not too bad a problem then. The vote is just a form saying 'Yes, I'd like more sausages in future years.'

As much as I oppose compulsory voting, I suppose it's better than a system that allows voter suppression

[Engadine Mcdonalds 1997]

Counterpoint: Who gives a fuck? Oh no, I can't do this obscure thing that I only just researched to say that my country is a 'nanny state', boo hoo

[Engadine Mcdonalds 1997]

Australia sometimes errs towards "too paternalistic," sure. However, a lot of the examples you cited seem more like odd inconveniences that likely won't impact your day to day life. If you'd cited COVID protocols in places like Vic and NSW, maybe there would be some room for substantive discussion.

But the examples posted? IDK, just seems like the kind of nonsense that gets passed in most developed countries (and that is often unenforced).

Apathy toward tyranny that doesn't individually affect your daily life is why tyranny keeps worsening. I violently hate mayonnaise but I don't want to live in a society where the government is telling other people they can't have it.

If we all stood up for rights of others to do things we personally find unappealing, boring, ill-advised, or even disgusting, we'd have a lot more freedom.

TIL hating mayonnaise is the same as outlawing certain dangerous acts, thanks NSG!

[CoraSpia]

Apathy toward tyranny that doesn't individually affect your daily life is why tyranny keeps worsening. I violently hate mayonnaise but I don't want to live in a society where the government is telling other people they can't have it.

If we all stood up for rights of others to do things we personally find unappealing, boring, ill-advised, or even disgusting, we'd have a lot more freedom.

TIL hating mayonnaise is the same as outlawing certain dangerous acts, thanks NSG!

driving 2 mph above the speed limit is not dangerous, neither is ordering a round of shots and taking it to the table.

[Australian rePublic]

Counterpoint: Who gives a fuck? Oh no, I can't do this obscure thing that I only just researched to say that my country is a 'nanny state', boo hoo

Driving 2km/h over the speed limit is not obscure. DIY work is not obscure. Drinking water is not bloody obscure. With the exception of maybe laser pointers, how is anything I have stated obscure?

TIL hating mayonnaise is the same as outlawing certain dangerous acts, thanks NSG!

driving 2 mph above the speed limit is not dangerous, neither is ordering a round of shots and taking it to the table.

It's 2 kilometres per hour, not 2 miles. 2 kilometres. That's about 1 1/5 mile per hour

[The United States of Naru]

Counterpoint: Who gives a fuck? Oh no, I can't do this obscure thing that I only just researched to say that my country is a 'nanny state', boo hoo

Driving 2km/h over the speed limit is not obscure. DIY work is not obscure. Drinking water is not bloody obscure. With the exception of maybe laser pointers, how is anything I have stated obscure?

driving 2 mph above the speed limit is not dangerous, neither is ordering a round of shots and taking it to the table.

It's 2 kilometres per hour, not 2 miles. 2 kilometres. That's about 1 1/5 mile per hour

It might sound stupid but there are 3 things you need to take into account. 1. Often you won't be charged and there is definitely nothing on your criminal record, 2. If you haven't done anything wrong recently normally you can appeal and get off. If your appeal does get rejected, it is only 1 demerit and a $123 dollar fine. 3. There is really no excuse for speeding. Speedometers are very accurate these days and cruise control is also very good so it is much harder to 'accidentally' speed.