PRESENTATION TOPIC “Australian Politics: Structures, historical and current trends” Wayne Muller Griffith University 2 nd July 2008

Presentation Structure (1) Introductory Points (2) Key Attributes of the Australian Political System (3) Current Trends in Australian Politics

(1) Introductory Points Australia and the USA as two of the world’s “functioning democracies”. Concept of many forms of democracy, and the idealistic rhetoric of “democracy” contrasted with the harsh realities and pragmatism of “politics”. Australia’s political system is unique but at the same time is highly derivative.

Introductory Points Australia as a “Washminster” system- aspects of the British and American systems. Eg Cabinet and Prime Minister derived from Westminster; Senate with a set number of members from each state derived from Washington. The American system evolved from a War of Independence whereas the Australian system was negotiated with “mother England”.

Introductory Points The interrelationship between politics and religion is limited in Australia because of our highly secular society. The muted nature of nationalism, patriotism and active political engagement in Australia. (Sport as the exception?)- Flag, anthem, Australia Day -> Reasons.

Introductory Points Both America and Australia were created out of a “new vision” in reaction to the “old world”. The USA placed emphasis on the freedoms, rights and opportunities of the individual and Australia placed a strong emphasis on collective well being (“mateship”, “a working man’s paradise”, etc)- maybe the latter is in decline. Common terminology of Australian and American systems- BUT some terms are used very differently-Eg “Liberal”, “Governor”, “Supreme Court”.

(2) Key Attributes of the Australian Political System (1) A “Constitutional Monarchy” The Monarchy: –The “strange” reality –The “Head of State”- The Monarch and the Governor General and Governors –Towards a Republic? The 1999 referendum The Constitution: –A written document based upon “colonial compromise”. –Change by referendum only- Rules for successful referenda –Only 8 referenda ever successful –The Constitution and the High Court –Contains no Bill of Rights

Key Attributes of the Australian Political System (2) A Federal System of Government –Similar to the USA –The 1890s and the issues and the process –Three levels of government- national, state and local –Levels of responsibility- Section 51 of the Constitution versus political realities –Challenges of the federal system: Eg party politics, duplication and overlap of roles, and “buck passing” –Tensions between centralisation and decentralisation- questions of “states rights” versus national government “power of the purse”.

The Seat of Power?

Key Attributes of the Australian Political System (3) A “Representative Democracy” –Bicameral (except for Queensland) –House of Representatives/ Senate (National) –Legislative Assembly/ Legislative Council (States) –Single member electorates for lower houses (except Tasmanian state lower house) –Proportional representation in the Senate –Cabinet Government/ Prime Ministerial Responsibility –The executive government –Cabinet secrecy and cabinet solidarity

Key Attributes of the Australian Political System (4) The Electoral Process –The political parties- Liberal, National, Aust Labor Party, Democrats, Greens, etc. –Voting is by secret ballot and compulsory –Reasons for, and debates over compulsory voting –Variable term parliaments (nominally 3 or 4 or 6 years)- fixed terms in some states. –Principle of “The separation of powers”: legislative/ executive/ judicial/ monitorial

House of Representatives 2008 The Government (ALP)83 seats The Coalition Opposition The Liberal Party of Australia55 seats The Nationals10 seats Independents 2 seats

Senate in Previous Parliament

Composition of the Senate from 1 st July 208 Australian Labor Party 32 Liberal Party32 National Party 5 Australian Greens 5 Family First 1 Independent (N Xenophon) 1 TOTAL76

Key Attributes of the Australian Political System –Preferential voting system (compulsory/ optional) –Complexities of, and debates over the preferential system

(3) Current Trends in Australian Politics (1) Diminishing roles of government- both scope and funding (2) The privatisation agenda (3) The “retreat from welfare”- mutual obligation (4) Economic policy ascendant over social policy- the rise of the “aspirational voter” (5) Industrial relations and workforce “reform”- “Workchoices”- currently being dismantled (6) Reform of the tax system- Income Tax cuts and the politics of the GST.

(3) Current Trends in Australian Politics ( 7) The role of interest groups and lobby groups (8) The future of the National Health Scheme “Medicare” (9)The aging population and a national superannuation scheme (10) Centrist trends in the relative roles of the Federal and State governments *** (11) Foreign policy- especially links to the USA (military and economic) and economic engagement with Asia. (12) Immigration/ refugees/ border protection/ terrorism- Eg “The Pacific Solution”

(3) Current Trends in Australian Politics Some recent Federal elections: –1996- The end of 13 years of continuous Labor Government (Coalition Government) –1999- The “GST” election (Coalition Government) –2001- The “Terrorism and refugees” election (Coalition Government) –2004- The “Economic management and interest rates” election (Coalition Government) –Nov 2007 The “Industrial Relations” election (Labor Government)