More than 60,000 people have explored their political options through Vote Compass, a joint project by the ABC, Vox Pop Labs and the University of Queensland.
Vote Compass is an online democratic engagement tool that allows people to work out where their views sit on the political spectrum and in relationship to the major political parties.
Voters answer 30 questions on issues such as the cost of living, health, the environment and law and order, as well as how they rate party leaders, ahead of the 31 January Queensland election.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean and Professor of International Relations Tim Dunne said experts from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»’s School of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS) and the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry had provided local knowledge to help shape the survey.
“Understanding more about the link between people’s values and their voting preferences is a critically important question for political researchers to resolve,” Professor Dunne said.
“The Vote Compass project is a dynamic and innovative response to this challenge.
“It will also give our teaching a unique edge, because results from Vote Compass will feed into the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» course.”
Vote Compass allows for detailed analysis of Queenslanders’ views on a range of topical policy issues.
Results so far show the major issues to be the economy, cost of living, asset sales and jobs.
Vote Compass has been used for elections in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, as well as for the 2014 Victorian election and the 2013 Australian federal election.
This is the first time Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» has been involved with the project.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Vote Compass team includes Dr Lorann Downer, Dr Alastair Stark and Mr Simon Kelly from POLSIS, and Professor Peter Spearritt and Dr Chris Salisbury from the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry.
They have been joined by advisors including former Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Joan Sheldon.
Vote Compass is at
Media: Marketing and Engagement Senior Manager Lesley Whitteker, l.whitteker@uq.edu.au, 3365 2632 or 0417 496 397; Dr Lorann Downer, 0431 281 665, lorann.downer@uq.edu.au
