The Brexit Thread (topical thread)

[Aractus]

Not sure what ATO is, but I'd imagine that tracking and applying the fines would itself probably be invasive if you thinking linking to the DMV is police-state territory. What makes one better than the other to your mind?

The Australian Taxation Office.

I think attaching to one's DL is fine, in the sense that if one really doesn't want to vote, they can do so, so long as they're willing to forgo the other prerogatives the state offers, such as a license to use public roadways. If they dislike the system so much they refuse to participate, fine. Bow out.

Suspending a driver's license for civil offences wholly unrelated to driving? That sounds like fascism to me. A $2,000 fine is more appropriate, though like I said from the third offence. If people refuse to pay the fine the ATO can enforce it by garnishing their tax returns. It's similar to the fine you'd get for shirking jury duty (although the amount varies by State/Territory, in WA the fine is $800 in NSW it's up to $2,200 determined by a magistrate). I'd exempt certain vulnerable groups from the fine including pensioners and disabled people.

I know people that are happy to pay a $50 fine not to vote, but I don't know anyone that would be happy to pay $2,000 for that "privilege".