This article aims to provide the basics for students who may not have experienced an election, those who want a refresher or simply feel overwhelmed by politics.
The upcoming Federal Election will be held on May 21st.
Contents
- Election Terminology
- Primary Parties and their Promises
- The Coalition
- Australian Labor Party
- The Australian Green Party
- Learning Who You Might Vote For
- Candidates and Current Incumbents
- Dawson
- Herbert
- Kennedy
- Leichhardt
- How to Vote and What to Expect
Election Terminology
| Term | Explanation |
| Electorate | Australia is divided into electorates, to group voters. Moreover, electorates change depending on the kind of election being held. For the Federal Election Australian parliament electoral districts are used. They can be found here. For more information on electorates go here |
| Incumbent | The person currently holding a position. |
| AEC | Australian Electoral Commission |
| Ballot Paper | Each voter receives two ballot papers on the day they vote. The papers include the names of candidates and boxes in order for the voter to number at least six candidates in their preferred order. The white ballot paper is for the representatives in the voter’s state or territory in the Senate The green ballot paper is for the representatives in the voter’s local area or electorate in the House of Representatives. In Queensland state elections you will receive one ballot paper, as Queensland has only one house |
| Coalition OR Liberal-National Coalition | A coalition is when two or more parties form a group of generally like-minded parties who agree not to run against one another and tend to vote together in parliament. The liberal national coalition is an alliance of centre-right political parties that forms one of the two major parties grouping Australia (Liberal and Nationals). In Queensland, the Liberal National Party (LNP) is one party, following a merger of the two separate parties on the state level |
| Ind | An independent or non-partisan politician. Meaning they are not affiliated with any political party. |
| ALP | Australian Labor Party |
| LNP | Liberal National Party (The Queensland branch of the coalition) |
| LPA | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Greens | Australian Greens or The Greens |
| ONP | One Nation Party |
| UAP | United Australia Party |
| KAP | Katter’s Australian Party |
| GAP | The Great Australia Party |
| AJP | Animal Justice Party |
| IMOP | Informed Medical Options Party |
| SA | Socialist Alliance |
| FP | Fusion Party Australia Fusion: Science, Pirate, Secular, Climate Emergency |
| AFP | Australia First Party |
Primary Parties and their Promises
The Coalition
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is the current leader of the Liberal Party and thus is the leader of the Coalition, traditionally under the coalition agreement, the Nationals leader takes on the role of deputy coalition leader and if applicable, Deputy Prime Minister.
Some of the LNP main policy points are:
- The Coalition’s Plan for More Australian Job
- The Coalition’s Plan for Housing and Home Ownership
(They do not discuss the rent market, nor housing control) - The Coalition’s Plan for Accessible and Affordable Child Care
Australian Labor Party
Anthony Albanese is the current leader of the Australian Labor Party.
The Labor party has an official 2022 plan which includes:
- Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.
- Creating secure local jobs by investing in Fee-Free TAFE and more university places, and making your job more secure with better pay and conditions.
- Making child care cheaper so that it’s easier for working families to get ahead.
- Making more things here in Australia by working with businesses to invest in manufacturing and renewables to create more Australian jobs.
Australian Greens Party
Adam Bandt is the current leader of the Australian Greens Party.
In the 2022 federal election, they aspire to accomplish a variety of aims including to:
- Replace coal and gas with 100% renewables
- Ensure dental and mental healthcare covered under Medicare
- Wipe student debt and create free education for all
- Ensure Affordable housing
Learning Who You may Vote For
The vast array of political parties and policies can be overwhelming. ABC has a plethora of useful information on various parties and the election that you can review as the election approaches.
In particular, ABC created a 2022 Vote Compass . It requires you to provide them with your postcode to then select your electorate.
The Vote Compass functions as a quiz and by the end, you will be able to see your preferences on a chart alongside the main political parties to know where you stand politically.
Candidates and Current Incumbents
Candidates vary depending on what electorate you are based in. They can be a part of a party such as the ones listed above, or they can be independent. You can find the candidates for your specific electorate by using this government search function. Below are the candidates listed for Dawson, Herbert, Kennedy and Leichardt.
Dawson
This electorate includes portions of Townsville such as Annandale.
Figure 1. Dawson (link)
Incumbent:
George Robert Christensen representing One Nation.
| Party | Candidate | Candidate Profile |
| ALP | Shane Hamilton | Website Link. |
| LNP | Andrew Willcox | Website Link. |
| Greens | Paula Creen | Website Link. |
| UAP | Christian Young | Website Link. |
| One Nation | Julie Hall | Website Link. |
| GAP | Jim Jackson | Facebook Link. |
| KAP | Ciaron Paterson | Website Link. |
Herbert
This electorate includes portions of Townsville such as Douglas and the University.
Figure 2. Herbert (Link)
Incumbent:
Philip Thompson representing LNP. They are running for the position again this upcoming election.
| Party | Candidate | Candidate Profile |
| ALP | John Ring | Website Link |
| LNP | Phillip Thompson | Website Link |
| Greens | Scott Humphreys | Website Link |
| UAP | Greg Dowling | Website Link |
| One Nation | Diane Pepe | |
| GAP | Larna Ballard | Facebook Link |
| Ind | Steven Clare | |
| Ind | Angela Egan | Website Link |
| KAP | Clynton Hawks | Website Link |
| AJP | Toni McCormack | Facebook Link |
| IMOP | Toni McMahon | Website Link |
Kennedy
This electorate includes portions of Cairns.
Figure 3. Kennedy (link)
Incumbent:
Hon Bob Katter representing KAP They are running for the position again this upcoming election.
| Party | Candidate | Candidate Profile |
| ALP | Jason Brandon | Website Link |
| LNP | Bryce Macdonald | Website Link |
| Greens | Jennifer Cox | Website Link |
| UAP | Peter Campion | Website Link |
| KAP | Bob Katter | Website Link |
| Ind | Jen Sackley | Website Link |
Leichhardt
This electorate includes portions of Cairns.
Figure 4. Leichhardt (link)
Incumbent:
Hon Warren Entsch representing LNP. They are running for the position again this upcoming election.
| Party | Candidate | Candidate Profile |
| ALP | Elida Faith | Website Link |
| LNP | Warren Entsch | Website Link |
| Greens | Phillip Musumeci | Website Link |
| UAP | Daniel Hannaga | Website Link |
| One Nation | Geena Court | Website Link |
| AJP | Susanne Bayly | Facebook Link |
| FP | Adam Cropp | Website Link |
| KAP | Rod Jensen | Website Link |
| IMOP | Silvia Mogorovich | Website Link |
| SA | Pat O’Shane | Website Link |
| AFP | Paul Roe |
Preferential Voting
Preferential Voting is the voting system in Australia that allows voters to list the candidates they prefer in a list rather than only selecting one candidate.
On the green ballot paper, voters must number all boxes from most preferred to least prefred starting at #1 and go until all boxes are numbered
On the white ballot paper votes must list from 1 (most preferred) to 6 (least preferred) if selecting candidates above the line, or from 1 (most preferred) to 12 (least preferred) if selecting candidates below the line.
Once the ballots are all submitted they are counted. All first choices (1) are counted. If any candidate has over 50% votes they win the position. If no candidate has over 50%, the candidate with the lowest percentage is eliminated. The vote counters then review all the voters who chose the eliminated candidate as their first (1) preference to see their second (2) preference. These results are then combined with the existing results to see if any candidate receives 50%.
This process continues until a candidate has over 50%.
This is why it is important to list all your preferences.
For more information on preferential voting, ABC has an informative piece.
How to Vote
Polling stations will be open 8 am to 6 pm on May 21st. Polling stations are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings. To find the nearest station to you, you can use the AEC search function.
Pre-poll voting starts 12 days before voting day, on May 9. Voting is compulsory.
For further information, the Australian Electoral Commission provided the public with a 2022 federal election guide that covers:
- When you can vote
- Voting Options
- What happens at a polling place
- How to make your vote count.
The guide also provides an example ballot paper with instructions.
This concludes the Federal Election 101 piece. If you have any questions you would like answered you are welcome to contact our editor. Their contact information can be found under About Us.
