What about voting? Democracies do it differently, and reforms in one place can spread to another. With democracy under threat, some countries are questioning whether their version of voting needs a closer look.

Australia is where the 'polling booth' comes from, amid other electoral innovations. Election day in Australia is often a festive affair. You can find out online which polling booth is throwing a barbecue. I kid you not.

Enjoy this 30min journey into the remarkable story of what makes the Aussie system so distinctive and arguably more resilient in an era of democratic decline.

In this episode, I interview Melbourne-based political historian Judith Brett. Judith wrote the book on this subject: "From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage..." and it's a fascinating and often funny read. As well, a chapter focuses on the horrendous history of the denial of the right to vote for indigenous peoples.

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Any questions re the Save Democracy podcast, email Katherine Davies (Host and creator), at katherine@savedemocracy.today

Link to Judith's book: https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/from-secret-ballot-to-democracy-sausage-9781923670099

Guest Bio

Emeritus Professor of Politics from La Trobe University, Judith Brett is a political historian. She is the author of Robert Menzies' Forgotten People (1992), Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class (2003), and The Enigmatic Mr Deakin (2017) which won the 2018 National Biography award. She has written four Quarterly Essays, including The Coal Curse: Resources, Climate and Australia’s Future. In 2019, she published From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia got compulsory voting. A second, updated edition was published in 2026. A collection of her writing was published under the title Doing Politics: Writing on Public Life, in 2021. Her most recent book is Fearless Beatrice Faust, a biography of the second wave feminist who founded Australia's Women’s Electoral Lobby.

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation.

The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company.

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Credits

Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito

Images

House of Commons

Peaceful protest by Katherine Davies

Ukraine Remembers the Heavenly Hundred 2020 by Vladyslav Musiienko (Dreamstime)

Voting from SDI Productions (iStock)

Election day from David Redfearn CC by SA 2.0

First Past the Post Ballot paper 2021 UK local elections Coventry by domdomegg

FPP graphic re 2024 UK general election from the Electoral Reform Society

Alternative or Preferential Vote Ballot paper for Higgins, Victoria House of Representatives, Australia

FPTP Vs PR graphic re results of 1993 NZ general election

Landscape by Inge Hogenbijl (Dreamstime)

Polling booths Vanuatu by Graham Crumb (Imagicity)

democracysausage.org website image

image montage from instagram.com/ausdemocracysausage