We need a better voting system

Someone posted on facebook -
"There's nothing wrong with the senate system - the problem is with the voters!If people are dumb enough to vote for a party that has "liberal labor or independent" in it because they think it is accurate branding, then maybe they shouldn't be voting "liberal" or "labor" in the first place.
It is up to citizens to educate themselves, and if they can't be bothered then they can lump it."
Can't agree TJ. If you check the preference flow tickets of some, many of the micro parties, they are deliberately confusing. Even the analysis by some of the commentariat was not able to spot all the labyrinthine ways the preference flows went. The existence of the parties, the often misleading naming, and the complex preference flows, were deliberately designed to get a result that no ordinary voter would be able to predict.

The AEC also has a major part of the blame to share. Liberals are Liberals - There should be no Liberal Democrats party. It is deliberate misleading branding that would not be allowed in general advertising. Same goes for all those parties incorporating the words Liberal, Labor, Democrat, Republican, even Australia (including the ALP). "Independent" should only be allowed on it's own, not in conjunction with any other word. The Lib/Dems should have honestly called themselves the Libertarian Party. Or the Ayn Rand party. And then try to build their brand recognition. Not to be able toluck out riding on someone else's brand and the donkey vote
It's time to end the choice of either 1 single vote above the line, or 110 votes below the line. It should be Optional Preferential, either Above the Line (Parties), or below the line (Individuals). Vote as far down the list as you like. With no registered party tickets of preference flows. It is completely insane to claim any legitimacy for a system that allows your 109th preference to carry any weight!! Especially when you had no idea that would be your 109th preference!! And if you really don't care who gets in after your 1st or 5th or 85th preference, then that is a valid choice.

To avoid the donkey vote carrying any weight, there should be a dummy party first on the ticket. The "Anyone but the Rest" party would be good. Any vote for this to be ignored!! Probably the same for the last party on the ticket too.

Having said all that, some voters will still find a way to screw it up. But nowhere nearly as many. Just as we decided everyone should have brakes on their cars, instead of relying on everyone driving carefully, we should also design the voting system to avoid totally predictable accidents, and ban deliberate accident causing arrangements.

But then, someone will still be stupid enough to vote for Tony Abbott's corporatist mob. But, they will not be able to blame the voting system for what then happens! Of course, they could legitimately blame Murdoch and Abbott for false advertising. But that's a different problem!

[Note: This is my personal blog, expressing my personal opinions, often working out my frustrations. If you don't want to know my personal opinions and my frustrations, then don't read it. And certainly do not ask me to censor my personal blog because my opinions don't match yours. If you disagree, or if I have any facts wrong, I encourage you to Comment, or to contact me. Please respect my openness, and share your opinions and response with me at least, with all if you can. But please, no behind my back whispering]