I don't usually like becoming too involved with political agendas but this landed in my inbox and I did feel a little annoyed that our citizenship is constantly being eroded, this is just another example..
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A fundamental principle of our democracy is that Australian citizens decide who governs our country, not citizens of other countries.
Yet Labor wants to change this, by extending voting to New Zealand citizens living in Australia?
This change was reportedly discussed between Anthony Albanese and Jacinda Ardern in July. [1]
Now it is part of the terms of reference for the Parliament's
inquiry into our electoral system.
Having citizens of other countries vote in our elections would be a fundamental change to Australia’s democracy.
Labor has no mandate for this change, which they didn’t mention before the election.
Why extend voting rights to non-citizens from one country, but not others?
Would Labor then go further and extend voting rights to non-citizens from other countries?
You can have your say by making a submission to the Parliamentary inquiry.
This can be done by sending an e-mail to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, at this address:
em@aph.gov.au
Submissions should include your name, address and contact number (which won’t be published). They can be as long or short as you like, so long as it’s relevant to the topic. Submissions are due by Friday 7 October.
More information about making submissions is available on the Committee
website.
While New Zealand is clearly one of Australia’s closest friends and partners, it is an important principle that Australian elections should be decided by Australians.
The Liberal Party will stand up for Australia’s democracy and fight this change.
Thank you.
Liberal HQ