NOT ANOTHER VILLAGE IDIOT…
Like Julia Gillard’s dad, my father also wanted me to be Australia’s first female Prime Minister.
Missed it by that much…
But I think I would have made a fairly decent politician. I’m a good public speaker; I genuinely love getting out and about and talking to people; I can listen and be convinced but can also be persuasive; I’m passionate on a range of issues; I’d like to think I’m tough enough.
However, reading the extract of Maxine McKew’s book Tales from the Political Trenches made me think, as I’m sure you did too, that if Ms.McKew – a seasoned public figure, intelligent, wonderfully presented and spoken, supremely politically-connected – can’t hack it in politics, what hope is there for the rest of us who’d like to have a go?
Putting aside the personality clashes Ms.McKew encountered, (and only insiders know the truth of it) she makes the point I suspected she would: that politics is a brutal and bewildering game, even for those who attain the highest office.
She’s convinced me. Her obvious disillusionment tells me there’s something very wrong with our democracy.
Voting day at Port Macquarie 2012. Image via News Ltd.
Australia’s entrenched two-party system; factional in-fighting; lobbyists for commercial interests; string-pulling, done deals; relentless scrutiny and the interference of media cheerleaders… As an outsider looking in at Canberra? It’s terrifying.
We now have two leaders in Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott who are career politicians.
It’s their “calling”. They’ve spent their lives negotiating and planning their next move within Labor and Liberal party structures. Both have a distinct whiff of “whatever it takes” about them. (“Whatever It Takes” is, of course, the oft-quoted title of Labor powerbroker, Graham Richardson’s autobiography.)
Of Tony Abbott, retired diplomat, Bruce Haigh wrote in Fairfax last week: “His present political tactics are similar to those employed all those years ago on campus and with the Student Representative Council.
“Abbott is a strange and complex individual; all of these complexities are contained in a person who has had very little life experience.”
Ah yes! Life experience. Age, wisdom… all that.
An irresistible passion for a cause that overtakes us. A complete and utter frustration that something needs to be done. A willingness to make a sacrifice and throw ourselves into the fray in the hope of making a change. Can I do it? Yes I can!
That’s what should propel us toward sticking up a poster that says: “Vote 1. Independent”.
This “calling” can come at any time in our lives.
Failing to join a political party in our 20s – when, let’s face it, most of us were interested in watching art house movies, backpacking around Europe, getting legless and shagging – shouldn’t be a bar to entry. Too often, it is.
The moment for me came a few years ago on a local issue. Sleepless nights, endless meetings in my kitchen and old-fashioned fury led me directly to the broader issue of rampant development and lack of community consultation. Experience as an urban affairs journalist was an extra qualification.
I’ll run for NSW parliament, I thought.
Stupidly, I told a journalist and within hours of me thinking out loud, I had various political powerbrokers I’d never heard of ringing my home and attempting to co-opt me.
That didn’t appeal, at all, so I asked two pollie friends what they thought?
Forget it, they said. Even if you do get elected, without a party power base your efforts will come to nothing. It’s a waste of time.
Non-aligned Independents are regarded as feral pests in our political system. Few survive and those who do are derided as “single issue candidates”. They’re loathed when they hold the balance of power and isolated and ignored for the rest of the time. That’s just the way the big parties like it and what we’ve come to accept as business as usual.
I have no doubt, whatsover, that there are people all over Australia who are 100% qualified for a stint in politics – passionate about issues, not after power for its own sake – and who are deterred for the same reasons.
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40 Responses to this article
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Marg October 29, 2012
All valid points. Apart from the lacklustre calbre of long-time party hacks, both the major parties are completely in the pockets of big business. We’re the losers, but so are small businesses are the losers, I’m surprised they don’t form a party.
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Janine Fitzpatrick October 29, 2012
Personally,I don’t like the notion of the career politician, although in this day and age it is hard to avoid, with a clear direction and focus necessary from an early age if you want to suceed in the political fray. I don’t care what the “party” thinks, I understand you have to support your party, but I want to know from-the-heart what you think about the big issues. Right now I don’t feel many politicians do that, we see so many go back-and-forth on issues that it becomes difficult to believe anything that’s said because really it is “today I believe this because strategically it’s the best decision to appeal to the majority of the voting public”. However, if the polls show a change I’ll be back tomorrow fervently committed to what today I disparaged. Just a hint of authenticity or sincerity would be such a refreshing change.
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Susan October 29, 2012
What a fantastic article! Thanks Wendy.
I am so tired of having to choose between people (and political organisations) who clearly have no other passion except their own political survival. I have much more respect for people who truly believe in… something… anything… outside their own interest, even if I don’t agree, than these dull cardboard caricatures we have across all levels of politics today continually barking and snarling when they’re not pandering and pontificating.
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Alex October 29, 2012
I think you made the wrong decision Wendy. Independents in state parliament can make a difference. Clover did, John Hatton did.
State parliament really needs to break away from the two party system. It’s too easy for developers to buy the parties. Then it doesn’t matter whether you vote Liberal or Labor, you get what property developers want you to get.
Voting for anyone else but Lab/Lib will break things up and make it harder for developers to wine and dine (and more) key ministers who can then walk things through unchallenged.
Standing as a member of a None-Of -The-Above Party would be even better than voting for them. Go for it.
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Carol A October 29, 2012
Everybody needs to be more engaged. Most think “politics” does not involve them & just whinge at length & are not prepared to do anything about it. Engagement at community level is vital. Come on now, EVERYBODY has a passion for something. Act on it. Major political parties rely on Aussie citizens sitting on their hands.
When you want something changed (1) have an alternative in mind (2) discuss, write, email, blog (most state & federal MP’s have my email address) (3) walk your talk !
Don’t be silent or swayed just because you have different views of the majority. We live in a democracy & we have a vote. Use that vote. Independent or otherwise. If everybody engaged perhaps more ‘quality’ people would step up thinking they could make a difference.
PS. be nice to all the volunteers at the polling booths. It may be me. -
Dimpzee October 29, 2012
Wendy if you are the slightest bit interested & feel you could make a difference, then re-think your decision.
I loathe the career politicians we see strutting their stuff, they are not real or of the ‘real’ world, & I am sure that I am one of many who have this opinion.
No difference can be made if those that are interested, shy away before a hat has been thrown into a ring. -
Blueblood October 29, 2012
I have noticed on Q&A that the guests who make sense are the non-politicians. They don’t need to toe any party line and use their common sense (undoubtedly formed with the help of broad life experiences) to give refreshingly honest opinions. Fresh air not hot air.
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Steve October 29, 2012
” As an outsider looking in at Canberra? It’s terrifying.”
As a Canberra resident, I can assure readers, Canberra is a wonderful place. Canberrians would NEVER send their elected political hacks to your village to strut and bluster.
The myth that Canberra is a cold unfriendly place was started to keep Sydney residents at bay, anyone else is more than welcome.
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Thomas Brookes October 29, 2012
Wendy Harmer and other concerned citizens who are reading this…. We must drastically change our country and quickly. End the “Two Party Preferred System”, that is killing our Farming, manufacturing Industry, our health and our way of life.
http://www.facebook.com/AustralianIndependentsMovement
This is a brand new political movement. Please like this page and join up.
AIM for Change… -
Adrian Glamorgan October 29, 2012
More diversity in parliament would be welcome. The old parties have relied on their being no real choice. In Europe, people support a range of parties and MPs elected proportionally are forced to find ways to get along, make productive compromises (not moral ones), and work together. In Australia the Laboreals are converging – we need new ways to be emerging!
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Caroline B October 29, 2012
Wish you were in politics Wendy, & more people like you! Unfortunately, with rare exception, the Indies do tend to get crushed or vilified. Just wait for the local campaigns that will no doubt be unleashed on Windsor, Oakeshott, Wilkie in the next 12 months – men of integrity & principle who will be placed under enormous pressure & have everything thrown at them to restore the ‘rightful’ party in their electorates… No wonder most decent people are put off even thinking about putting themselves & their families through that.
Unfortunately, the present system has been all about putting off the hard decisions, surviving to the next election etc etc This is what pretty much destroyed the ALP in NSW & will take them years to rebuild their credibility.
To JG’s credit (& KR before her), federally, they’ve been rocking through some good legislation. I actually think the need to secure support of the Greens & genuine Independents since 2010 has made for more accountability, better legislation & a more democratic parliament – the downside is that Abbott & his machine have been able to quite successfully play it all as being on the point of collapse, when in my view it’s actually turned out to have some pretty good outcomes.
Interesting to read in the weekend SMH Julie Bishop’s confirmation that Abbott would have knifed Windsor & Oakeshott within months had he secured their support in 2010 & never had any intention of honouring his commitment to them to allow parliament to serve the full term. So glad they were smart enough not to fall for it (along with Wilkie’s scepticism re the 2,000 gazillion dollars Abbott promised for the Tasmanian health system in return for his vote).
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Cate October 29, 2012
Wendy, perhaps your background in comedy has benefited you with the thick skin you would need to survive in politics. Unfortunately your ability, also from your comedy background, to sift through the crap may work against you – at least personally.
Hard to break up a party system, because the fundamentals of creating government comes from majority. Hard to form an alliance of independents, because inevitably they’re all going to be at each other’s throats. Even if they share the noble tenement of “whatever it takes” to keep an alliance together for the good of the democracy.
So moving on from that thought, I don’t personally think that representation itself is the issue. We naturally align ourselves conservative, or not-so conservative. The biggest issue that I can see is that we need a way – as the represented public – to hold representatives ACCOUNTABLE.
There needs to be some system or public access. Maybe a public shaming or egg throwing session (just joking) is needed. Or maybe those amongst us who can organise things like “Destroy the Joint”, can put their talents further afield and concentrate on the accountability of local and federal members.
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Jenny October 29, 2012
We need a House which is filled with Independants! This two-party adversarial system has proved itself time and time again incapable of functioning as a parliament should. A diverse group of people who have lived a relatively “average” working life, and know the value of our social structures, and can truly represent the majority of the voters in each specific electorate. It is ludicrous that members now are compelled by their leaders, or factions, to toe the party line. That can’t be called democracy!
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Wendya October 29, 2012
Good article, I like many others are fed up with the way our country is run, all parties spend more time arguing among themselves than Doing!! I live in Qld and here right now its a very sad place to live, our Premier is cutting health, education, emergency services to save dollars (that of course is previous Govt fault.) We are constantly being told as a nation to save for our future , to ensure we remain healthy, to save for retirement, yet our Govt is happily throwing money at whatever they believe is the way Australia needs to grow, they need us to get in office, then turn their backs on our opinions. Why do we not have a fair system that our ideas or solutions are of value ??
Major companies are going into receivership at an alarming rate, if billion dollar enterprise can’t stay solvent what hope does a small business have.
The solution seems to always be another tax, why not shelve luxuries for awhile until we become more stable? Why does the average worker have to pay for mistakes not made by them.?
I support asylum seekers or migrants, but why do we ensure they have homes or health care or education , when our own are living in poverty ? Cant we just lower the amount of help we give them ??
The suicide rate is growing rapidly, drug abuse is more rampant, youth binge drinking all time high, crime is horrendous, we need faith in our Govt to give hope. We have become a country of weakness. So many violent crimes are committed everyday , sad thing is very little punishment is handed out. I despair of what my family will be like in 20 yrs.
In Qld our Public Servants have spent years and many dollars on further education to become nurses, paramedics, firefighters, health workers, teachers,to name a few. They are now unemployed. Why ?? Money !!!
Why would our youth want to educate and have a career when it can be taken from them for the sake of money, I get the need to save funds, but health ?? this is one area that should never be compromised , lets not spend that money on New Years or Xmas fireworks so that these 12,000 people can eat or buy the children a xmas gift.
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Rhoda October 29, 2012
The two party system does provide some stability and the left and right are forever redefining their side of the political spectrum. The trouble is not so much with out political system but the inertia of the electorate. We are easily led.
Do we need to be politicians to force change? I would think the opposite. A single voice can make a lot of noise. I’d prefer to listen to someone with a idea for change than a robot politican quoting from his manual.
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ro.watson October 29, 2012
After the release of Maxine’s book there is no excuse for Julia “stone-walling” members of the press. It is about treating the Australian public with respect~ not disdain~ and I for one am disappointed she cannot provide a straight answer to a straight question…I suggest I am not alone in this disappointment~ and i say the same to the other side of politics. I have no wish for Gillard to be removed~ just want more straight talking without obsfucation and homophobia…
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Carole/m October 29, 2012
@wendya
I’m so sorry you have such a pessimistic view of everything about our country, your cup seems to be not only half empty but down to the last dregs.
Democracy works best when more people participate , we all have the right to voice our opinion and have recently seen that social media can actually make a difference.
There’s also talk back radio , emails to your local member , join Greenpeace or other such action groups. I believe Politicians really do want to know what the community thinks , so if your not happy with current policies, find a way to participate.
I get up every day and think how lucky I am to be living In peace in this great country where I have the right to free speech and the right to vote. -
Coco October 29, 2012
Interesting read Wendy.
I WAS one of the High school/uni student political junkies you refer to. I did not eg., go backpacking in Europe because I was so focussed on political issues in the 70′s and 80′s that was so dear to me. I didn’t drink either – drinking cut into clear thinking and political doing time.!
Womens rights, getting the NSW Anti Discrimination Act passed by the Wran government, getting the laws that deemed rape in marriage not to be a crime because women signed away their rights to say no when they signed the marriage “contract”, maternity leave, expanding the legal definition of rape to include all penetrations of any orifice by any thing – not just penis in vagina, ending Public Service promotional rules based on seniority rather than merit. That list goes on. I had a few runs in the very early days with BUGAUP with spray cans and tobacco billboards, till State Rail employee caught us. The tobacco billboards are long gone, so that one worked eventually. The there was also gay rights – marching in the first Sydney Gay Mardi Gras with my uni political friends, being beaten, arrested, getting bailed. A lot of energy surrounding gay law reform. Industrial issues like equal wages for women.
There was a lot of work to do and while a lot was actually implemented, much still remains to be done. I am not convinced that the most effective way of “doing politics” is to be an elected politician.
Being involved in student politics was exciting, fulfilling and totally captivating. Seeing a law reform you had campaigned on actually get passed into law by Parliament was a brilliant experience. It felt like birthing a baby elephant – the gestation period was certainly longer!
For a variety of reasons I did not take the next step politically, despite the apprenticeship. I saw the policy and political campaigning work that informed the political changes as more important. As a lesbian I was not ready to deal with being in the closet or out – gay male politicians with wives for “cover” abounded, but gay women with fake marriages to men or open about their sexuality, far less so in those days.
Another reason was personal selfishness. Being on the endless “rubber chicken” circuit, attending every envelope opening at every local school, charity, etc in your electorate. Being on call 24/7. Having everyone you know talk to you and invariably turn the conversation around to some political favour they wanted. The list is a long one and frankly, the pay per hour is not good especially when you factor into what you give up. The toll on the politician’s family are massive, but usually carefully hidden. The reality for most political families is the other, non-politician partner is left to deal with all of the real life.
A lot of exciting and substantial push for political change can and does occur outside the traditional parliamentary system, is less damaging, and often more fun.
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Sarah October 29, 2012
Great article Wendy! The best analogy I’ve ever heard to describe the 2-party system is ‘its a bit like having to choose between hospital food and airline food’.
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Rhoda October 29, 2012
Wonderful that you are so involved Wendy. I see local issues as the job of local government. I take your point but a parliament of independents would never work. The individual can’t be all things to all people and the dynamics of plotting and scheming would remain the same. Jockeying for position and power comes naturally to anyone seeking a vote.
And how would voters choose between them all? Remembering who’s who would quite challenging unless they were in the headlines every day.
At least parties can form policy, rework it, redefine it as the future unrolls. Independents would have to form alliances to do the same and what would that achieve.
Not so different to an individual work contract as opposed to unionized labor. There is might in numbers. The way of the world.
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Wendya October 29, 2012
I believe Wendy Harmer that Caroline may be addressing me, @Caroline ,you don/t know me so don’t speculate about my half cup or empty dregs, I am entitled my opinion on my life, I am quite aware of radio, media, and my right to vote.And again you do not know if I do these things. If you understood the process of voting you would also understand that by voting it does not mean the person we vote for is right for this country, but that’s what we do .
As a person whom has lost family in making Australia a safer place I also have the right to feel dismay at the current state of my country. I also have every member of my family working in Govt depts, so I am quite educated in the duplicity and lies and corruption that occurs within my workplace . I also am involved in charity work and have recently participated in enabling hundreds of homeless to have a warm blanket and food. And I still actively help flood families that our Govt has turned its back on. As recent as last week a family of seven still are living in one room with no hope of ever repairing their home. So I am very disgusted with the way this country is run. You are also entitled to your opinion on the subject this page on Hoopla but you are not entitled to discuss me or my life. Freedom of speech is accepted , but personal attacks is not.
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Desertqueen October 29, 2012
I haven’t been involved in student politics or grown-up politics. I think it’s easy to criticise politicians and yes, there have been some shockers (the same as in any industry). However, unless people are prepared to make the sacrifices involved (time away from your family, long hours, having to work within the system with all its frustrations and yes, being roundly criticised for that work) then maybe they should take a pause before heaping criticism on the those amongst us who have made those sacrifices and put in the work.
Disclosure: I’m a lawyer but probably not the sort you’re imagining. I’m heartily sick of people dismissing lawyers as not having “real life” experience etc. Lawyers include women’s advocates, human rights lawyers, pro bono/legal aid lawyers, suburban lawyers (wills, conveyances), public prosecutors and defenders. Let me tell you, it doesn’t get more “real” than some of those jobs. Not all lawyers are corporate/rich/evil. Please stop writing us all off as such – it’s lazy. It’s inaccurate. It’s offensive.
PS – Wendy I used to be a planning lawyer, acting for the dark side. There are ways to beat them – usually not inside the tribunal/court. May the force be with you
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Tony W October 30, 2012
Two years ago it took 17 days to form government with 4 Independents. How long do you reckon it would take with 150 of the buggers?
And how long do you reckon it would be before they coalesced into power blocs, and ultimately into two large groups broadly divided along conservative – progressive lines? Maybe something like, oh I dunno, Liberal and Labor? Or Republican and Democrat? Or Tory and Labor?
Or is being proposed here they should all sit as Independents and deliberate on each piece of legislation separately? Now that really WOULD be like trying to herd cats!
Yes, the 2 party system involves great compromise – you can’t please all the people all the time. But it’s inevitable if you want to form government.
Unless I’m missing something here, this push for more Independents is delusional.
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Pyrmont Parent October 30, 2012
Wendy, having recently voted at both the local and state elections for the City of Sydney, and having tried to campaign for more childcare in inner Sydney, it’s hard not to become disillusioned with how easy it is for the buck to be passed from one level of Government to another. I’m looking forward to the individual or party that exists just to hold Governments accountable, and to reward leadership on strategic issues.
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Bettina October 30, 2012
“People who – rather than learning about life through working and living with real, honest, decent, everyday people – have only ever “worked” in some politician’s office, or as a union rep, or as an ambulance chasing lawyer, or a snooty barrister.”
I find the language of this paragraph to be very biased. Why does a lawyer have to be an “ambulance chasing” one? Or a barrister be “snooty”? These people do work hard, as do union reps and even office workers. Their jobs may not involve tilling the soil or other manual labour, but they do involve the skills and tenacity that politicians require; that is, listening to other people, reading copious amounts of written material, discerning and making judgments and arguing their case in a coherent manner.
I love language and its effective use, but we need to see past emotive adjectives and to question rhetoric. I can see no reason to support Donovan’s statement that “these people have never done a real day’s work in their lives.”
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Carole/m October 30, 2012
@wendya
Let’s be clear. I was not commenting on you or your family. As you correctly stated, I don’t know you nor do I make that claim.
I certainly was not discussing your life?????My comment regarding the cup half empty , was my reaction to what I felt was a very negative and depressing view but as you said, we are all entitled to our opinion.
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Tony W October 31, 2012
Wendy I’d love to “think out side the two-boxed set”, but even if it WERE possible to dismantle the world’s political duopolies, I don’t see how they could be prevented from reforming.
We’re all aware of the deficiencies Ted Mack describes, but his speech does not explore alternative systems, and unfortunately like most people I’m not sufficiently motivated to research all the “great literature” you mention. Nor should I have to – if there is indeed a workable alternative to political duopoly, then surely it can’t be so obscure as to be uncommunicable to ordinary people.
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Helen King November 1, 2012
What about local government? More likely to get a seat as an independent, and can have more of an impact than you ight think – particularly if related to specific issues. Increasingly state government is turning to local government to deliver (or in a more negative way, cost shift), but it still means there are a myriad of issues to influence.
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Thomas Brookes November 1, 2012
Wendy Harmer (or anybody else). If you want to know how it is done to get rid of the toxic system we have now. Please contact me. Australian Independents Movement on Facebook.
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Thomas Brookes November 1, 2012
Tony W. You stated “it can’t be so obscure as to be uncommunicable to ordinary people”.
The present corrupt domination by the “two party preferred system” makes it almost impossible for Independents to get elected.
The Electoral Commission gave $42 million dollars to Political parties after the 2004 Federal election. Three quarters of it went to the “two party preferred system” (LNP and ALP). This is the first thing that has to be stopped.
All candidates should be given an equal amount of money and note I said “candidates”. Not Political Parties.
There are 143 electorates in Australia.
Eg…Say there were 10 candidates in each electorate and they were given $30,000 each to spend on website, brochure printing and direct mail outs only (all media advertising would be banned). It would cost the same and ALL candidates would be on an equal footing.
People would not be bombarded with adverts on TV and newspapers and would just get 10 Brochures in the mail to read and analyse, Go to the candidates website and choose, who would best represent them and their electorate (and not the vested interests of political parties).
Voting could be done from your home computer (via a password) using the preferential system. Elected reps can only serve a maximum of 2 terms and then they get paid for one year only… (to re-establish themselves) after leaving parliament. There would be no more parliamentary pensions and all the bullshit rorting that goes with it.
Candidates can be removed by a no confidence vote at any time via a 55% electronic no vote (there is an easy way of organising this) and a fresh election is then held in that electorate.
There will be no more general elections. Elections will be held in each electorate as they fall due from dismissal, retirement, end of two terms, illness, deaths or murder..lol
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Pete Fumberger November 1, 2012
This is the kind of story that a sheila’s website should be up in arms about, not the faux outrage about gillard and those misogynistic nutjobs out there picking on our poor defenceless, precious petal PM, all because she is a woman, and nothing to do with the fact that she is incompetent, as well as possibly the most vile person ever to hold the top office. She and bryce.
Actually, not possibly, she is, without a doubt.
But no, all we read about is AbbottAbbottAbbott, MrRabbit, how horrible he is, all the while women everywhere are silent on female genital mutilations happening in our society, and rapes and sodomies of beautiful little black kids on those disgusting blackfella communities.
And yet, here we have some woggy type, going by the name, who murders his wife and it’s all about the fact that she called him names and wanted a divorce, with no outrage from our hairy armpitted brigade.
And that’s why our country is fucked, and women’s rights have been eroded by the likes of gillard and her handbag mafia slags and the likes of Harmer prattling on about SFA and greer and summers and other feminazi luminaries very silent about the likes of what I wrote about above.
Seriously girls, get a grip and do something for women, rail against gillard’s faux outrage and misogynistic nutjob rant, and speak out for those poor, beautiful little girls, and boys, being harmed by being part of truly misogynistic cultures.
But no, Abbott is the much easier target, he wears budgie smugglers and is a white, heteronormative male, married with children, and he does not root around.
Oh, you should be so proud. Just like gillard’s father was (the old commie arsehole, who foisted that slag upon us), at what his vile commie daughter is doing to our country. -
Rhoda November 1, 2012
Have a lie down Pete.
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Annie Also November 4, 2012
I was going to write a comment but after reading “Pete” there is this really nasty taste in my mouth and a little bit of sick in my stomach so I will go and do what Rhoda suggests and go and have a little lie down instead….Arggghhkkkkkk!
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Ruby November 4, 2012
Oh how I loathe the phrase ‘never done a real day’s work’! Often said with sneering contempt and implying that digging a ditch or cleaning toilets is somehow ‘real’ whereas anything involving using your brain is not. It has the same ‘switch off’ rate as ‘I am not racist but….’. Valuing intellectuals and education more not less is part of the answer to the problems raised in this article (commenter ‘Pete’ has ably demonstrated how ugly ignorance can be).
The complex, divisive issues of the day require considered, educated thought not ‘sound bites’ driven by the 24 hour news cycle. And we are to blame for consuming that sort of media, failing to conduct our own research to really understand the issues and then engaging with politics armed with facts.
My political allegiances aside, the contributions of many independents and minor parties has been significant (eg Senator Xenophon, the Democrats, the Greens) and has been the voice of reason and balance. Our polity is better for these people and Wendy they would and should welcome you to their ranks.
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Tony W November 5, 2012
“There will be no more general elections. Elections will be held in each electorate as they fall due”
Thanks for your reply Thomas, but I remain unconvinced. I just don’t believe national government can be decentralized and delegated to the extent you describe. It just seems wildly impractical to me, for lots of reasons. Nor do I believe it would be immune to the corruption you mention – just look at how delegates are “bought” in the UN.
Yes there’s a need for representational and responsive government. But there’s also a need for hierarchy in any administration, otherwise choas reigns. That means compromise, so let’s not pretend there’s any absolute democracy to be had.
Political duopoly is mathematically inevitable, and while we can argue that it’s unrepresentative in many ways, it’s far more representative than having a handful of Independents, or even parties with 10% of the vote, deciding major policy for all Australians. Like the GST being decided FOR by the Democrats, despite being highly unpopular at the time, or Rudd’s ETS being decided AGAINST by the Greens, despite being highly popular at the time. That little exercise in political grandstanding set the country back 3 years and cost us a popular PM and a popular Opposition Leader.
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Hairyarmpits November 13, 2012
Some vitriol Pete! Not good for your health, take it easy.
