Think about how lacking in policy debate the current Australian Federal Election campaign has been. Now imagine the title of this blog post to the tune of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical“. Ok, great – now you’re in the same state of mind as me.

I’ve always been a bit of a swinger (not like that) and I usually focus on the policies of each party to decide my vote. It’s one of the joys of being Australian – we aren’t tethered to a specific party from the time we register to vote and we are also obliged by law to vote (that’s right, my American friends, voting in Australia is compulsory). Unfortunately this time around, there are no policies really out there to help me make up my mind.

Outbreak Monkey apparently has the same issue and through his new blog, The Political Chimp, he’s trying to work out who to vote for. He’s going direct to the candidates to ask whether they’re for or against the big issues – namely toughening border protection, the internet filter, a price on carbon or an emissions trading scheme, and gay marriage. Their responses are published on his blog to help us make up our minds.

One of the things I find most interesting is that not all candidates from a specific party share the same position (I’m looking at you, Family First) though I expect the larger parties will have more continuity if they respond.

I’m in one of the hot seats – Brisbane – so I’m curious to see how my candidates respond (and before you ask, no, it wasn’t me who emailed them). After living in safe seats for both major parties for most of my life, I like to think that this time around my vote can make a difference.

If you’re interested in reading the responses or getting involved by contacting your own candidates, you can visit The Political Chimp here.

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