Thanks for a great summary, and history lesson, of so much that is wrong in our tenuous democracy at present. Confirming what Voices groups are hearing in their kitchen table conversations and in talking to people on the street or at their front doors.
We really seem to have crossed a line, Louis. If there is a viable alt candidate in a given an electorate, people will give them serious consideration in a way that would not have happened previously.
Totally agree, Tim. While the two old parties continue to play turn-and-turn-about, there will be no reform. It is not in their interests to do so. Retaining power is their only goal now. Plus their post-politics career...
I would never have argued this in the past, but it really feels like what you describe is now accurate. And as I say, these laws make it seem like they are doubling down rather than looking for actual democratic reform.
I wholeheartedly agree, Tim. It's interesting that you wrote this today, as the Guardian published a Megalogenis article kinda-sorta admitting that minority govt might be what we need.
I saw that and thank heavens. It is still a bit depressing to see how knee-jerk negative about it he is, but at least he is starting to understand the problem. And maybe the solution.
Well done TD, this is the article we needed to have and a cogent fillip with which to rally behind. Indeed as you quote Mr W. McMillan from NSW, this is what government is about:
“They would be more likely to come together in a spirit of amity, and the common desire would be to do what was best for the country.” I'm definetly not interested in a govenment co-opted by the selfish interests of career politicians and corporations. Thank you
The ALP despite its bleating about the Greens being a ‘party of protest’ sure seems keen to cut them down through this proposed legislation. Perhaps they are a bit more effective than the ALP boosters in the media would have us believe. In collusion with the LNP the ALP will also try and take out the community independents.
They have gamed the preferential system to secure 90% of the seat despite 68% of the primary vote. I am of the view that until the single member electorates are reformed to something more proportional, we will not have true representation of the broad spectrum of opinion in our community.
Great piece on the mess we're in - and, yes, informed populace and more independents are key solutions. Still, a fundamental problem is the cost of living crisis that continues to get worse - resulting in many fellow Australians just surviving - giving them very little time to get informed.
Further, much of the so-called Media are extremely biased - presenting propaganda rather than journalism - and then there's the mess that is platforms like Twitter and Facebook, full of opinions and very low on facts
Forgot to mention - I'm currently in Pakistan. The situation for 'working class' people is extremely dire - they are doing much worse than 'just surviving' - making it practically impossible to even consider political education - let alone action. There are many other problems that make their situation even worse.
We need to act now before the 'masses' in Australia are forced into extreme survival mode.
Thanks for a great article, Tim. I've recently been converted to the power of Independents. I can't see any other way of improving our leadership for the better. I've ordered your 'Voices of Us' and look forward to seeing the history behind the movement. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for a great summary, and history lesson, of so much that is wrong in our tenuous democracy at present. Confirming what Voices groups are hearing in their kitchen table conversations and in talking to people on the street or at their front doors.
We really seem to have crossed a line, Louis. If there is a viable alt candidate in a given an electorate, people will give them serious consideration in a way that would not have happened previously.
Totally agree, Tim. While the two old parties continue to play turn-and-turn-about, there will be no reform. It is not in their interests to do so. Retaining power is their only goal now. Plus their post-politics career...
I would never have argued this in the past, but it really feels like what you describe is now accurate. And as I say, these laws make it seem like they are doubling down rather than looking for actual democratic reform.
I wholeheartedly agree, Tim. It's interesting that you wrote this today, as the Guardian published a Megalogenis article kinda-sorta admitting that minority govt might be what we need.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/25/i-used-to-think-australia-was-best-served-by-a-majority-government-now-im-not-so-sure
I saw that and thank heavens. It is still a bit depressing to see how knee-jerk negative about it he is, but at least he is starting to understand the problem. And maybe the solution.
Well done TD, this is the article we needed to have and a cogent fillip with which to rally behind. Indeed as you quote Mr W. McMillan from NSW, this is what government is about:
“They would be more likely to come together in a spirit of amity, and the common desire would be to do what was best for the country.” I'm definetly not interested in a govenment co-opted by the selfish interests of career politicians and corporations. Thank you
That's a great quote, isn't it.
I'm reading through all this history atm--digging out my PhD research from years ago!--and it is so fascinating.
Tim, please consider enabling share to bluesky.
Democracy should be taught alongside English and Maths.
Substack haven't updated to add a BSky button, but you can paste the link
https://tdunlop.substack.com/p/a-two-party-stranglehold
Great article Tim.
The ALP despite its bleating about the Greens being a ‘party of protest’ sure seems keen to cut them down through this proposed legislation. Perhaps they are a bit more effective than the ALP boosters in the media would have us believe. In collusion with the LNP the ALP will also try and take out the community independents.
They have gamed the preferential system to secure 90% of the seat despite 68% of the primary vote. I am of the view that until the single member electorates are reformed to something more proportional, we will not have true representation of the broad spectrum of opinion in our community.
I'm inclined to agree. I discussed the pros and cons of PR in the last book, but I might say something about it here too.
Great piece on the mess we're in - and, yes, informed populace and more independents are key solutions. Still, a fundamental problem is the cost of living crisis that continues to get worse - resulting in many fellow Australians just surviving - giving them very little time to get informed.
Further, much of the so-called Media are extremely biased - presenting propaganda rather than journalism - and then there's the mess that is platforms like Twitter and Facebook, full of opinions and very low on facts
Forgot to mention - I'm currently in Pakistan. The situation for 'working class' people is extremely dire - they are doing much worse than 'just surviving' - making it practically impossible to even consider political education - let alone action. There are many other problems that make their situation even worse.
We need to act now before the 'masses' in Australia are forced into extreme survival mode.
Thanks, Fernando. This piece by Alex Fein might be of interest too: https://redbridgeintel.substack.com/p/private-splendour-public-squalor
Thanks for a great article, Tim. I've recently been converted to the power of Independents. I can't see any other way of improving our leadership for the better. I've ordered your 'Voices of Us' and look forward to seeing the history behind the movement. Keep up the good work.