I just think it's really sad that seemingly intelligent and informed adults resort to the lows evidenced in this thread by both sides of the voting spectrum.

I have a lot of respect for the intelligent, especially those who are able to elucidate their values and beliefs in a respectful manner. However it seems that the respectful manner is a bit absent here. It's such a shame really, because all of you have an amazing platform here on which to share your views and educate others who may not be as informed about the politics of our country as yourselves.

I think that everyone needs to remember that the values, beliefs and other intrapersonal variables of each person are a result of the environment in which each of us were raised and now live, so it is inevitible that there will be different opinions within this diversity.

Yes, we are all different, but we are all Australians, and we all only want we we believe to be best for our country now and in the future, don't we? Don't we all at least share that?

Being mean to each other and diminishing each other's beliefs is unlikely to convert the other. Wouldn;t it be more beneficial to everybody, to discuss each other's views rather than diminish them? Who knows, you may well be able to impart some of your knowledge onto someone else.

However, the constant mudslinging and pettiness just hides some pretty intelligent perspectives.