Our overall system is also more or less run by the two main parties, similar to the US. The Liberal National Party (or the LNP for short) which is our version of conservatives and Labor. Our version of the Democrats basically. Though both parties would probably be considered left wing by the US standards these days. As is my understanding.
We also have various “third parties” I guess you could call them, that range across the political spectrum. Despite being the third wheels, as it were, these parties are able to sway influence in Parliament, if they gain enough public support. And indeed these parties have gained much more broader public support over the last few years. Giving them more sway over the years. (Likely due to the public being quite fed up by the “two main lads” as it were.)
Our voting is by preference, meaning we vote by putting our choices at the top (which we mark with a 1 next to their box) and the party we do not like last (marked with the highest number, based on the amount of parties on the individual ballot specifically.)
To win, a party must have more than 50% of the public vote, legally speaking. If neither party does, the rest of the preferences are then distributed until a majority is reached. If that makes sense?
And as you know, voting is mandatory here. Votes are usually held on a Sunday to allow folks the time to vote. If one is working, all employers must, by law, still allow their employees time to vote regardless. Such time windows do not count as one’s breaks. It’s seen as a seperate legal requirement
Though you don’t necessarily have to vote, just show up at the ballot. That said, voting here is seen as something of a rite of passage into “offical adulthood.” So there’s still a strong sense of pride when one first votes. Usually accompanied by one’s first legally allowed hangover lol but still
