This Saturday 21 May 2022, fellow Australians go to the polls to vote for our next federal government. Here are a few tools to help you vote for your values, and use your vote to activate the world you can create.

 

QUIZ :: ABC Vote compass

The ABC has an online questionnaire to help you work out where you sit amongst Australian Labor (ALP led by Anthony Albanese), Australian Greens (lead by Adam Bandt) and the Liberal National Party (LNP/Coalition led by Scott Morrison) policies.

The questions asked will help you get clear on where you sit on climate, tax, social support, minimum wages, gender equity, child care, coal exports, abortion, Indigenous representation, military spending and more.

It’s a helpful tool, but it is limited as it doesn’t include Independents or minor parties.

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WATCH :: How to preference with purpose

The Juice Media has a great video explaining how your preferences (how to number your votes) work in both the Lower House (House of Representatives where the government is formed and policies introduced) and the Upper House (the House of Review a.k.a. the Senate where policies are passed or not).

Preferencing will be critically important in this election to help form a truly representative and accountable government. I’ve learned more about the importance of preferences and what a hung parliament means, in this election cycle than any before.

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Also, read this article that explains parties don’t make preference deals any more, voters make preferences. All a party can do is offer a suggestion of how to order your preferences on their ‘How To Vote’ card (which gives you an insight into what’s happening behind their visible campaigns).

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RESEARCH :: Compare climate policies

To further help you plan your voting preferences, Project Planet helps voters who want to vote 1 for climate in your electorate. It creates a personalised ‘How To Vote’ card for both Lower and Upper houses. You can print this out and take it with you. I discovered Independent and minor parties I didn’t even know were running. Useful!

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And use the Climate Council’s easy view policy comparison chart for the three major parties:

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Of Kin Australia 2022 election voting resources


FACT CHECK :: Get beyond the spin

Political spin, or as academics call it ‘strategic lying’, is a tactic used by politicians to evoke emotion, and dismiss or contort facts to persuade voters, often causing them to against their best interest. Use a fact-checking service to inform your vote.

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And also checkout theyvoteforyour.org.au to look up how candidates up for re-election have voted on your key issues in the past. This is an incredibly helpful website!

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LISTEN :: This Wild Election Podcast

Journalist Sarah Wilson has done a fantastic election series on her Wild With Sarah Wilson podcast. Sarah interviews analysts, economists, candidates, journalists and even Australia Electoral Commission staff, all answering questions from people like you and me.

Podcast Search:

Of Kin Australia 2022 election voting resources


WATCH :: How 1Million Women can vote for climate

This rich conversation from last Friday with a climate scientist, activist and social scientist, highlights what’s at stake and how to use our influence at the ballot box.

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STAY SAFE :: Vote early, mask up!

Covid isn’t over (we have known cases today), and we don’t want our election to be a mass infection event! So, mask-up when you’re voting in person and step away from crowds to eat your #DemocracySausage.

Pre-polling is also now open so you can vote early and avoid crowds.

Find out where:


READ :: Driving change beyond the election

I’ve written a journal entry about how leaders can drive climate change from the inside out, regardless of the outcome of the election. We need all hands-on deck. To keep out of overwhelm, turn anxiety into action and check out my lists of actions and choose just one this week.

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Let me know if you any other tips and tools to vote with your values.