Subtle systemic bias

Postal vote applications for the 2023 referendum opened yesterday, 11 September. The earliest a postal vote applied for today (12 Sep) can be delivered is 01 October. For those who are booked on overseas trips (like me) that leaves only 1 or 2 days to apply to a postal vote if it is to arrive before I leave.

The writs for the referendum were deliberately delayed as long as possible to allow the maximum number of 18-year-olds to enrol before the electoral roll closes. 65% of 18–35-year-olds are expected to vote YES.

At the other end of the spectrum, the most likely people to request postal votes are older Australians. For Australians over 55, only 24% are expected to vote YES.

It is clear the timing of the referendum is intended to maximise the YES vote and minimise the NO vote.

Australia deserves better democracy.

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