Fixing Australian Politics

Substack paid subscribers can download Fixing Australian Politics for free from the links at the end of this article.

Australia’s political landscape stands on the precipice of transformation. The need for comprehensive reform is palpable, driven by evolving societal values, demands for greater transparency, and a push towards inclusivity. Fixing Australian Politics: How to change the system of government outlines a multifaceted strategy to reshape Australian politics across various fronts—electoral systems, campaign finance, governance, media interaction, constitutional matters, and diversity in representation.

Many of the ideas presented in Fixing Australian Politics have been key discussion points in over 200 episodes of the New Politics podcast, as well as in many of our writings about these matters. It is crucial to document and consolidate these ideas into a single framework—this is the primary reason for why we have created this book. This will facilitate future debates and discussions, which can then provide governments and policymakers with a clear and concise pathway for improving governance in Australia.

We begin with electoral reform, advocating for the introduction of proportional representation to ensure that every vote contributes equally to the political outcome, mirroring a more democratic representation in parliament. Maintaining mandatory voting also remains crucial to preserving high voter turnout and ensuring that electoral results reflect the true will of the people. In addition, we also recommend the shift towards implementing online voting systems to modernise the voting process, making it more accessible and efficient while upholding the integrity of each vote.

Financial influences in politics demand urgent restructuring and this is an issue that had dogged Australian political affairs for far too long. The proposal for full public funding of elections seeks to curb the undue influence of wealthy donors and level the playing field for all candidates, and reducing donation caps and managing political donations in the public interest are steps designed to enhance the transparency of financial contributions and prevent corruption.

Further reforms are necessary to fortify the mechanisms that ensure politicians and public officials are held accountable. While the implementation of the National Corruption Against Corruption in 2023 was a belated and much needed reform, there needs to be tighter corruption measures, improved Freedom of Information legislation, and enhanced protection for whistleblowers and public informants to provide an environment of transparency and trust in government operations.

The governance of political parties also requires recalibration. Introducing term limits would prevent the entrenchment of power, encouraging fresh ideas and perspectives in leadership. Strengthening parliamentary committees and reforming Question Time to become a more effective tool for scrutinising government actions, rather than the current structure where the government of the day uses it to deflect, score political points and humiliate the opposition, are also critical for increasing accountability and enhancing the legislative process.

In an era of misinformation and disinformation, it is crucial to reinforce financial support for public media and advocate for truth in journalism to maintain an informed electorate. This effort should be accompanied by a reformed and more powerful Australian Press Council, which currently resembles a toothless tiger and often succumbs to the interests of mainstream media. Public media must be empowered to operate independently from government influence, providing balanced and comprehensive coverage of national affairs.

The call for a new Australian Constitution underscores the necessity to mirror contemporary values and the multicultural identity of the nation. The current Constitution, developed in the 1890s and implemented in 1901, was designed to unify the Australian colonies. However, this unification was inherently limited: Indigenous Australians and women were excluded from the constitutional conventions that led to federation. It was crafted by white men adorned with long beards, moustaches, and top hats—how can such a document remain relevant over 120 years later? Also, this Constitution has proven almost unchangeable, like an albatross around the nation’s neck. Out of 45 referendums aimed at modernising the Constitution to make it more relevant, only eight have been successful. This is a situation that is unsustainable. Recognising Indigenous Australians and their unique rights, alongside implementing an Australian republic, are also crucial steps toward honouring the country’s heritage and redefining its identity on the global stage.

Ensuring broader engagement in politics involves implementing quotas for underrepresented groups and improving youth engagement—lowering the voting age to 16 would be an excellent start—as would a range of issues to address the general disinterest in politics and strengthening civic education to cultivate a more politically aware and active citizenry.

We recognise that expecting all these changes to happen quickly is naïve. Over a quarter of a century has passed since the referendum on the republic was held and defeated in 1999, and today, the issue barely rates a mention in public discourse. Political reform in Australia is hampered by the structures and barriers of its own institutionalised system, and any change—if it occurs at all—moves at a glacial pace.

The Liberal–National Coalition refuses to consider any change at all and ramps up fear campaigns as a stalling tactic; while the Labor Party fears the changes that it should be advocated for, anxious it might offend the vested business and media interests who benefit most from the status quo. Change of any nature takes time, but initially, there must be political will. For far too long, Australia has lacked this essential ingredient for change.

This sweeping array of reforms contained in Fixing Australian Politics presents a bold blueprint for the future of Australian politics. By addressing these key areas, the aim is to create a more robust, inclusive, and transparent political system that is equipped to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and reflect the diverse voices of all Australians, each of which is critical for the rejuvenation of the nation’s political framework and the restoration of public faith in the democratic process.

Fixing Australian Politics: How to change the system of government
208 pages
Released 2024.

Download Fixing Australian Politics

Substack paid subscribers can download Fixing Australian Politics for free from the links below.