Author here - I built this because I have wanted it for the last few elections. I have no intent to set an agenda or make money from it. It is inspired by form guides at horse races, or really any general sports stat system like trading cards, where you can quickly and consistently compare the stats of all the players.

I know it isn't pretty and I know it isn't the first how to vote guide but it has been a fun side project and an interesting social experiment. Being open I hope it goes some way towards addressing "fake news" as well as general media hyperbole.

Having the data crowdsourced, wikipedia style, has worked out well in both the NSW state election and the current federal election without the vandalism or edit wars I suspected, restoring my faith in the internet and politicians somewhat.

I went with a google sheet as the primary editing interface because it was both technically expedient and pragmatic as well as hoping it would be a simple and familiar interface for the majority of candidates. Unfortunately I have still had to provide a shocking (to me at least) level of technical support to candidates.

While I have had broadly positive responses from candidates an interesting observation is that generally on first response left leaning candidates get it and embrace it while conservative leaning candidates don't understand it and are suspicious. Although generally conservatives come around when they realise that I legitimately have no agenda.