With the federal election fast-approaching, Family First is getting lots of questions about preferences.
Also, the old hoary chestnut put about by the major parties that “a vote for a minor party is a wasted vote” needs to be tackled head on.
The two issues are interrelated so let’s first take the issue of what is, and what is not, a wasted vote.
Voting for a minor party like Family First is far from a wasted vote, it is actually the most powerful vote you can cast.
Here’s why.
Australia’s very good preferential system of voting allows you to cast a number 1 vote for your preferred candidate.
But your vote does not have to end there if your candidate doesn’t make the cut.
You get another bite at the cherry by ranking in order of your preference the other candidates.
If your Family First candidate doesn’t receive a majority, your vote travels to your next preference and so on until a candidate achieves more than 50 per cent of the vote.
Under Australia’s voting laws, you, not the parties, are entirely in charge of your preferences.
On your green House of Representatives ballot, simply put Family First number 1, then number every remaining box in your preferred order.
On your large white Senate paper—if you’re voting above the line—put Family First number 1, followed by numbering at least five other boxes.
Your vote continues to flow in the order you choose until someone is elected.
Family First will issue a how-to-vote card where we'll recommend preferences — but ultimately, the choice of how you distribute your preferences is entirely yours.
The reason I’m so passionate about voting number 1 for Family First is because the major parties have abandoned mainstream families like yours and mine.
Sure, there are some good individual Libs and Nats, but they party heavies just ignore them.
Let me explain the key policies the political establishment is taking to this election.
Liberal, Labor, National, the Teals and Greens are all on a unity ticket on Paris and net zero.
Paris and net zero force up the price of your electricity and therefore the cost of everything goes up.
It is the reason we are in a cost-of-living crisis.
Liberal, Nationals, Labor, Greens and Teals are also on a unity ticket in supporting the Sex Discrimination Act.
This law says a man can be a woman.
It endangers girls and women who are not safe in their private spaces from the incursion of biological males, and it means their sport is not fair.
Yes, even the Liberals and Nationals WILL NOT COMMIT to restoring the definition of woman in the Sex Discrimination Act.
And key Liberals like Senator Dave Sharma are willing to cross the floor to support Labor and the Greens to trash parents’ rights to educate their kids free of LGBTIQA+ influencers in their Christian schools.
The only way the major parties, including and especially the Liberals and Nationals, will change, is for you and I to vote 1 for Family First.
Let me repeat that. The only way the Coalition will change is if you and I stop giving a number 1 preference to them.
Now I know many of you, like me, despite the Liberals’ weakness, prefer Peter Dutton as Prime Minister.
Despite this weakness, he will certainly be much better than a Labor-Greens coalition, which would be disastrous.
But you can still help the Coalition win government and send them a message by voting 1 Family First and then by simply making sure your preference for the Coalition is above the number you give Labor.
It’s that simple.
By using your preferences wisely in this way, you cast a more powerful vote than if you gave your number 1 preference to the Coalition.
I’m pleased to be part of the Family First team fielding Senate candidates in Qld, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Imagine if we held the balance of power!
These Senate candidates are supported by more than 90 lower house candidates who have the courage to stand for family, faith, freedom and life.
To find out more, go to www.familyfirstparty.org.au and remember, send the major parties a pro-family message - vote 1 Family First.