From the Revd Dr John Bunyan
Sir, - Voting for the Commonwealth and state parliaments in
Australia is not strictly compulsory (
Letters, 29 May). It is compulsory to have one's name checked
off on an electoral roll. Elections are held conveniently on
Saturdays, and I think most Australians enjoy this community
activity, and churches and charities often have stalls near by
providing refreshments.
Unfortunately, voting systems differ for state and federal
elections and for lower- and upper-house elections, but we do not
suffer from first-past-the-post decisions.
JOHN BUNYAN
Colenso Corner, PO Box N109,
Campbelltown North, NSW 2560
From Mr Christopher Wain
Sir, - Michael Cavaghan-Pack (
Letters, 29 May) cannot be allowed to get away with his
assertion that proportional representation was on the ballot paper
in the 2011 referendum. It was, of course, simply a "choice"
between the unproportional alternative vote and
first-past-the-post.
As for demanding a rerun, I know - and I am sure Bishop Martyn
Jarrett would agree - that a vote on proper electoral reform,
whether it is for the additional-member system, the list system or,
ideally, the single transferable vote, will have to be had one day;
but, unfortunately, the beneficiaries of the present lottery
system, whereby only 100,000 voters in marginal constituencies are
given any significant choice, are again thoroughly ensconced in
power.
Even the Scots are not asking for a rerun until they think they
have earned a different result.
CHRISTOPHER WAIN
52 Sutton Avenue, Silverdale
Newcastle
Staffordshire ST5 6TB