This weekend Australians decide who will lead them for the next three years.
I would like to urge all eligible voters to carefully consider which party or candidate they will be voting for.
My biggest concern is that the election result will be inconclusive, and neither major party would be able to govern in their own right.
While some commentators and activists are advocating for this outcome and for independents to have the balance of power, in my opinion, that would be the worst outcome for all Australians.
In effect, we would have a small group of people, many with single issue agendas, holding our government to ransom to get their own way.
This would be unworkable and would, in all likelihood, lead to another Federal election before the end of the year.
If we are forced to repeat the electoral process in the next six months, it would not only be frustrating for everyone but also an enormous waste of money.
Voting has been compulsory in Australia since 1924, and as a result we have one of the highest voter turnouts in the world.
More than 17.2 million Australians are enrolled to vote in this weekend’s election.
If you are thinking you will not vote on 21 May, remember you can be fined, and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) takes this issue very seriously.
And if unfortunately, you are diagnosed with COVID-19 after Tuesday 17 May, the AEC says a telephone voting option will be available.
So, make sure your vote counts for something, our system of democracy is far from perfect, but the alternative is unthinkable, and may the best party win.
