Democracy Stuff: Again today I heard someone say why bother to vote for candidate X because they just send their preferences to candidate Y. This is completely false. Preferences literally mean the numbers you write on the ballot. 1 is your first preference, 2 is your second, etc. If you want to vote for Greens first and Clive Palmer second, as crazy as that seems, you can absolutely do that. No one can override your preferences. It’s possible that the mistaken belief comes from How-to-vote cards, or from parties forming coalitions or alliances in parliament. If you have any young people, new Australians, or just confused voters in your life circle, please help them out to understand the process. I’m not normally political but with the disaster in America, I realise how privileged it is to have a good voting system. But it’s only good if people know how to participate.
Discussion Thread 🤠 Sunday 13 April 2025
Submitted 6 days ago by YarraByte@aussie.zone to melbourne@aussie.zone
Comments
SituationCake@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Pilk@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Definitely a few slightly more forceful reasons why people get tripped up by this.
- Group voting tickets were only abolished 4 federal elections ago, and are bizarrely still a thing here in Victoria and Melbourne City Council. So, people’s belief in this is not totally irrational, but likely carried more by lore than facts.
- Many folks look at elections as a chore rather than a precious gift. They would rather remain ignorant about how they work. “Don’t vote for candidate X because they just send their preferences to candidate Y” is more of a meme (in the broad sense of the word) than a well researched political opinion.
- There are people that benefit from stoking uncertainty and confusion about the Australian election process. Many of them are not Australian citizens. Just look at the AEC’s Twitter “Replies” tab. Cookers and Russian agents.
SituationCake@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Good points.
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 6 days ago
“It’s possible that the mistaken belief comes from How-to-vote cards, or from parties forming coalitions or alliances in parliament.”
I’m not sure where this belief comes from either, but I distinctly recall an election campaign many years ago from the Liberal Party, which went along the lines of “A vote for Independents/Greens is a vote for Labor.” It was ran late in the campaign before the election and had a definite impact on the election on that occasion, I just can’t remember exactly when it was. I wondered at the time how it was even legal.
My mother believed it too. I was more than happy to explain how it works simply to her, like you have here. But she was suspicious about anything I said and I could tell she just simply didn’t believe me. People talk about the Murdoch/Sky News/Herald Sun/mainstream news brainwashing nowadays… it really began a long time ago.
SituationCake@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Politicians will say whatever works to manipulate vulnerable voters. It’s interesting that the ideas can be so long lasting. I don’t believe there’s any law that says a politician can’t make false claims, and the digital age has made it so much easier.
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Sore as heck today. After an extended absence went back to training and really feeling it today.
Old age is not doing me any favour here.
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
gentle hugs
you can do this
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Thank you. It’s manageable if I don’t focus on it.
melbaboutown@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Maybe an epsom salts bath might help, or some pain cream
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Gonna do a sauna session shortly. Always helps
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Stressed week + relaxed cheese and wine yesterday == tummy ache 😔. And I have a plane to catch. I am counting the days until I get a break at Easter 🐣🐣🐣
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
gentle hugs for you too
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Thanks mate. I know that its actually a good sign - I am on a much more even keel now then a few years ago body and mind. But sometimes I push it all a bit hard and I hate having a sore tummy.
just_kitten@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Verily, the John is hoppin’. It’s come out really nicely this time because I didn’t overcook the beans, didn’t use all the bean water, added some tomato paste, and of course the vegan chorizo helped (actually nicer cooked with everything, rather than fried separately and added at the end)
some of this will go in the freezer
Shower and then I’m DONE. So grateful for the dishwasher for preventing a total meltdown.
Thinking I should read another ebook rather than get onto a tv show. I see Richard Powers released a new book last year with good reviews! I need to finish like the last 10% of The Overstory and then maybe I’ll get onto Playground
Force_majeure123@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Queen! You da MVP
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 5 days ago
That looks great. Enjoy the winds for the next few days.
Bottom_racer@aussie.zone 6 days ago
ooh that looks good!
just_kitten@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Alright I hope to HELL that is the last time I need to go out for uni fieldwork - I’m so over driving to the most soulless and crammed of new outer suburbs in the north and west.
I will say, if I had to pick one, it would be Doreen, but I’m guessing the east side bordering Nillumbik / Yan Yean Rd is up there in price relative to age/distance to amenities, even I have to admit much of it is so beautifully landscaped.
No breakfast and lunch, bought a packet of Indian masala snacks and ate most of it on the way home, super salted/dried out now. I did also finally grab a jar of coconut oil after running out like a month ago - Colesworth just stopped stocking it out of the blue. I’ll have to hope this one’s decent…
Anyway it’s been hot and yucky and I’m pooped. I have to make these black eyed beans I put to soak in the am. Think I’ll be throwing all the aromatics into the food processor and doing a very lazy Hoppin’ John.
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Off to raid the garden shop. Anyone want something?
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
yay, off to pick up a new desk and some garden chairs today 😄
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Trying to scrounge up some motivation to do a grocery shop. The CBF factor is high lol. Maybe a second coffee will do the trick 🤪
RustyRaven@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Try a third coffee, that will have you so motivated you’ll be bouncing off the walls.
Source: the lady at work who had three coffees today
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Same. Wife and I will venture out, but not looking forward to it.
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Wow. One of my rare ventures into coffee has resulted in the best sleep in weeks. This makes zero sense.
LittleCat is apparently attempting to hatch the router.
Operation de-grey the house proceeding in a very messy and stinky manner, and I have a serious grievance with some hungry possums.
Could people stop dying please?
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
30
TIL. From now on I am going to be extra vigilant regarding fake vanilla.
TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Far too expensive for mass market. Mostly used in the perfume industry as a fixative. If you’ve ever bought Red Door, Opium or Chanel No.5 you’ve caused the death of many beavers. Cheap vanilla substitute is brewed from pine bark. Also natural.
Force_majeure123@aussie.zone 6 days ago
But it’s natural 🤌
anotherspringchicken@aussie.zone 6 days ago
If the router does hatch you can sell the offspring for $$$ (good kitty, contributing to household income!)
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
That would be awesome given the $$$ of his prescription fud
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
nom nom, just had a mango ice cream
Force_majeure123@aussie.zone 6 days ago
☠️
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
That’s awful 😕
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Are you the person that’s allergic to mangoes? I’ve never heard of that one before. At least it wouldn’t be too hard to avoid I guess.
SituationCake@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Fairfield boathouse could do with a proper deep clean and updated food options. It’s such a beautiful location and has so much potential, but it’s run down, sticky, and seems uncared for. A bit of harmonious modernisation while keeping the vintage vibe would work wonders.
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Their calamari rocks.
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
order slowly coming out of chaos
it’s tiring, it can be hard to see progress but it’s very satisfying
plus this is a lovely suburb to live in
also there are no shops or cafes in this suburb, not one , there is a sports club and it is possible to buy a coffee there , that is all
Force_majeure123@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Big UFC card starting up 🤓 7 hours of fights coming right up. Main fight of the night: 36 y.o Aussie Alexander Volkanovski (who was champ a couple of years ago, and some considering him the GOAT of his division) up against an exciting young prospect Diego Lopes. Volkanovski is a slight favourite, but it’s very scary. He’s lost his last two fights (to absolute killers) and he will retire if he loses, which will be very sad. Anyway, exciting times! Hit me up if you want to know how to watch for free ☠️⛵
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Time to get a pirate stream going.
Force_majeure123@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Let me know if U need help! Two five rounders left 💪
RustyRaven@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Air conditioner has been aquired, but I will wait until tomorrow to wrestle it in from the car & plug it in etc. It looks in great nic, has all the bits and has even been stored with a dust cover on. Seller was a nice older guy who is getting rid of stuff in preparation for moving to Japan later this year.
I got my angles all wrong reversing into the driveway when I got home and needed to make multiple attempts before I got in. Fortunately there was no traffic, and everyone in the area is used to watching inept drivers try to master basic parking maneuvers as we are in a license testing area.
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
sky pretty
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Airport trains are the bomb. Beats a taxi in Sydney any day.
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Sydney Airport link is great, minus the $15 flat fee that increases during peak times. If I worked at the airport, I would probably take the bus to avoid paying $40 on top of the other Opal charges.
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone 6 days ago
The price hasn’t come through yet (tapped on with phone figuring it would be cheaper then taxi). And 45mins to get across to the north suburbs is pretty good.
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Operation Murder Yukkas has been paused. We’re gonna need a professional.
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 6 days ago
i have done it. First thing, cut off all the spikes , then then leaves, be sure to wear gloves and a strong shirt and safety glasses, then saw the trunk, they the stump
Bottom_racer@aussie.zone 6 days ago
And then the flamethrower.
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
The biggest ones are more than 30cm at the base. Fuck knows how deep the root is. Boyo has cut a ‘small’ one to the ground (2 batteries on the rip saw) and given up digging pure clay.
Professional advice it is.
dumblederp@aussie.zone 6 days ago
drill a hole in them and pour poison in there?
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Yeah, diesel has been suggested. I suspect this will result in a long wait before rebuilding soil is possible. TBC
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 6 days ago
My legs have about 2 dozen mozzie bites each from sitting with the cats last night.
Totally worth it. But so fucking itchy!
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone 6 days ago
I know it was quite a while ago for many of us here, but what, if anything, do you wish your teachers at school knew about you / did to make your educational experience a better one? Or just the school staff in general?
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 6 days ago
I wish my teachers had given me more advanced work instead of having to sit and listen to people read pages from the novel id read ages ago.
RustyRaven@aussie.zone 6 days ago
That was always so painful. Enduring extreme boredom was however the most useful skill I learned in school. I suspect I would have been better served by learning to actively work to achieve things instead, but that was generally discouraged.
Bottom_racer@aussie.zone 5 days ago
I think those that relate on a personal level.
I was most fond of the teachers who asked about where you’re at outside the curriculum as well. Those teachers I listened to.
Catfish@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Yup! Favourite teacher ever had previously been a community nurse. Knew full well teenagers will drink, drug, and fuck. Talked about such in a blunt, truthful, non judgemental, and FUN way.
Duenan@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Honestly I’m not sure. If had my share of teachers I liked and didn’t like. Maybe more emphasis on inclusiveness and acceptance of everyone around me though I grew up going through primary school where there was rampant racism and ironically thinking back it were quite a culturally diverse class.
There was a lot of growing up and maturing and self reflection and realisations that I needed to get where I am now or even 10 years ago and more so than anything I wish I could turn back time with the mindset I had after I matured to do school again.
I also went through VCE without having a proper English teacher for half a year or more maybe, all we had were CRTs and wish we didn’t have to go through that in my final year.
RustyRaven@aussie.zone 6 days ago
I would have been happy if they just stopped trying to make the experience worse.
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Could you elaborate on any specifics?
Seagoon_@aussie.zone 5 days ago
I don’t know if anything my teachers or school could have done to make my experience better.
My problems were at home. I excelled at work in school, my natural intelligence, voracious reading habit and willingness to work hard in school hours were the only thing that helped me pass or even excel.
My home life was chaotic and even obstructive, with my parents defying advice given by my teachers regarding what I could be doing academically and career wise.
So maybe a social worker?
Catfish@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Having the same teacher from K-6 is a really bad idea.
Attending a school your parent teaches at is social suicide.
I really wonder what would have happened if the concept of autistic girls had existed then.
StudChud@aussie.zone 5 days ago
My problems were at home, so probably not a lot haha!
My least favourite teacher was a math/PE teacher because he would very obviously favour the jocks/sporty boys and ignore the nerdy boys, and then was super creepy to the pretty girls, and ignored the normal looking girls. He was fired after I graduated for inappropriateness with the girls, go figure.
My favourite teacher was an English/Lit teacher. She was no nonsense, wasn’t afraid to give the class a piece of her mind if we were acting up. She had such a commanding voice, for such a short woman 😂. BUT, if we asked how her adult daughters were, she could go on and on about them. She taught the curriculum wonderfully, provided context for what it meant, and explained what we needed to do for each task/test.
Another favourite teacher was the science/physics teacher. He made every class fun, he was funny and never discriminated against any student for their gender. It was interactive, and he loved showing us concepts with physical objects/chemicals. He was easy to talk to and ask questions, because he never gave off the vibe that he thought we were dumb.
Eagle@aussie.zone 5 days ago
My best ever teacher was incredible. She was single by choice, and dedicated her life to teaching and her church. She kept the areas separate, but her peace from her religion followed her into the school. She taught English, lit and history subjects but her real passion was music. She worked out of hours teaching music, accompanying students to external exams and performances and ran the school musical and music festival. She was tough and took no nonsense, but she was just as quick to give praise. When she looked at you, she saw you. At her funeral last year there were students that she’d taught over her entire working life, and she made all of us feel like we were seen and heard. I was so lucky to have her because she said things to me that I’d never heard in my life. That I was good at something, and she hoped I’d take a particular class next year because she was looking forward seeing my work. I didn’t get that stuff from home.
RustyRaven@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Just saw the best story about selling on Marketplace
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Hahaha. That escalated!
StudChud@aussie.zone 6 days ago
I’m awake 3 hours too early, but I can catch the sunrise :)
SpinMeAround@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Went for a swim to make the most of the warmth and now I am feeling absolutely wiped! Time to finish off the cheese and olives from yesterday.
CEOofmyhouse56@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Gold & Greed: The hunt for Fenn’s treasure on Netflix is a really good watch.
Duenan@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Yuck. It’s 27-28 already.
Got my air cons on dehumidifier setting today to see if that makes a difference.
bacon@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Beep Beep 🚚
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Duenan@aussie.zone 6 days ago
Power bugged out for a minute or two.
Hope that’s not a foreboding for later today.
TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Note to self. When plugging in one’s phone to charge up, it helps to turn the charger on. Didn’t notice for hours. Another 20 mins to go before it’s fully cooked.
StudChud@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Two massive naps today, and I just woke up. That’s what I get for waking up at 3am I suppose.
As soon as it’s a bit warm, bam, my body is like “nah, nap away the day fam”
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 6 days ago
It’s been a while since I’ve been meowed at aggressively for no reason.
Adorable lol
Eagle@aussie.zone 5 days ago
It’s a full moon again isn’t it? My cats are all off their rockers tonight.
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 5 days ago
Gibson was particularly vocal last night.