Australia needs a new Republican Constitution and Proportional Representation

 

1.  The Single Member District electoral system is supposed to produce two major parties, a historical creation representing: the owning class and the workers. In such a system the party in Government will tend to concentrate on swinging seats, not on safe seats. Safe seats tend to become neglected; often for long periods of time, unless represented in Government. The heritage of the Anglo system developed in the second half of the 19th century, was exported to most of the British colonies later. 

Some improvements were created in Australia. In 1918 Preferential Voting was introduced for the House of Representatives; in 1948 Proportional Representation was created for the Senate.  That was it.

 

2.  Progress or lack of it in Single District Seats, both in national and state seats, may well depend more on effective local government rather than federal or state government electoral districts. The proposal here is to achieve democratic representation in Government, both federal and states. In short, to rapidly improve Australia’s democracy.

 

3.  Preferential voting in the federal 2025 elections clearly resulted, again, in an undemocratic and unfair result that benefitted the ALP greatly on this occasion. That was certainly not the first time, but it was very obvious on this occasion. Why is it that so?  This was not at all questioned by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, although they certainly had the opportunity to do just that. I submitted my proposal for PR on at least three occasions (2025: 219). The answer is that Committee is entirely dominated by the major parties. It is in reality primarily concerned with “reforms” that do not affect/disadvantage the two-party system. Its composition essentially represents the major parties, hence major  system reform that might affect them adversely won’t be considered.

 

4.  The entire style of Westminster-style parliaments, the two parties sitting opposite one another and criticising each other almost constantly, dominates the entire political culture. Oppositionist, polarised debate is the norm. Many Australians think that this is the only culture, that this  is “normal”. That is simply quite incorrect. 90 countries have proportional representation. All parties participating have equal chances to promote their own programs. It is based on multi-party electoral districts giving smaller parties equal chances for representation on the basis of the percentage of votes they gained. Result: a fair democratic system that is based on genuine majorities; there is no alternative major party that offers an alternative government. In any case, currently Australia does not even have an obvious alternative Opposition party. In recent months we have seen a serious decline in a credible Opposition. That suggests that the actual two-party system and culture is finally disappearing. 

 

5.  With Proportional Representation a Government is formed on the basis of a coalition of a number of parties, agreed on AFTER the election. There is no official “Opposition”.

 

6.  In most PR countries a small party needs a definite primary number of votes (percentage) to qualify for representation. This usually varies from three to five percent. Otherwise, too many small parties could be the result, as does happen in a few countries, e.g. the Netherlands.

 

7.  Voters have one vote. They select from several parties who present lists of several candidates. There is no other preferencing to be done as in the existing so-called preferential system in Australia (named “Single Transferable Vote”). But this is a real choice, not a make belief choice as with the current preferential system. The 2025 federal election showed again that this preferencing is basically ineffectual. It doesn’t work!!

 

8.  Australia is a multi-cultural society. Different cultural groups deserve to be represented by people of their own culture if they find that important. The electoral system needs to provide that democratic opportunity. Many voters may not find that particularly important, but the opportunity should exist. That is a democratic strength of a proportional system, not a problem. What we have now IS a problem.

 

9.  How large should multi-member electoral district be to ensure fair and democratic representation? I would say between five and ten MPs per district. The issue of a sensible mix of city and country representation will be of major importance. This requires careful planning. Districts need to ensure proper country representation

 

10.               Does it mean that the two-party system would disappear? Undoubtedly. There would be larger and smaller parties and, after the election, a coalition government representing a majority of voters will be formed. The nonsensical mud-slinging would end. Democracy will recover.