Australian here: I think mandatory voting is excellent. In countries without mandatory voting elections become more about trying to inflame your own base enough to actually show up- here politicians do actually have to try to appeal to the moderates a little. It also means trying to discourage your opposition from voting isn't a possible strategy.

In my experience most people make an effort to learn a bit about the candidates when they know they have to vote, even those without any interest in politics. But if you *really* don't want to vote, you don't actually have to submit a vote - you can just get your name checked off and put a blank ballot in the box and nobody will mind.

Voting is generally seen as your responsibility as a citizen here. It can be fun though, you get to meet some new people from your area, buy a couple of democracy sausages from the sausage sizzle... About 3/4 of Australians support compulsory voting.