Phred,

When you move to Australia, you get stuff given to you to register to vote. You can of course NOT fill it in .......... but then they catch you when you get your license and say you are an Australian citizen.
I think they have this massive database that they cross reference!!

Not only do you have to vote for the government you want (so the WHOLE of Australia), but you have to vote for the State (Victoria), and you (I found this out the hard way), have to vote for your LOCAL council too.

I did not know that, - I was actually overseas. They tried to FINE me $150.00 for not voting. I said I posted my vote - and they lost it, so tough luck. Not paying ............ they let me off THIS ONCE they said ......

Quite ridiculous I think!

I do like your thoughts of the "voting Police dargging me to the poll booth" ...... Let them TRY I say ....