• Reforming our Democracy report outlines 15 ideas to improve Australian democracy
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Should Australia have fixed parliamentary terms? Or real-time disclosure of political donations? How about a "citizen jury" that can decide on issues of national importance? These are just three of 15 ideas outlined in a new report aimed at improving our democracy, which has been pitched to our federal politicians this election. "Australia's democracy ... is frayed and public confidence in our system of governance is in worrying decline," the Reforming Our Democracy report states. "The list of initiatives has been selected because they are practical, realistic and achievable." The report is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, the newDemocracy Foundation, and the Susan McKinnon Foundation, and taps into a growing dissatisfaction with the political system. https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jRSKU/3?abcnewsembedheight=500 Its authors lament that Australia was once a world leader in democratic innovation — from the pursuit of an eight-hour work day in the 1850s to the suffragette movement in the 1890s — but now says we've lost our way. Here are the 15 ideas they wants the winner of the May 18 election to pursue: Review of parliamentary terms to provide more certainty and improve government decision-making. Appoint a genuinely independent Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. Trial changes to seating arrangements in parliament to encourage more civility and constructive dialogue. Introduce more "free votes" in the parliament through a new parliamentary convention. Real reform on political donations and campaign financing. More stringent transparency requirements for political parties. Trial of AEC-issued candidate information packs that give voters more information about local candidates. Undertake a process after each election that gives citizens a chance to communicate how we can improve elections. Commit political parties to the same standards that companies are bound by when they advertise during election campaigns to promote better truth in advertising. Comprehensive and continual training in policy, ethics and procedures for MPs and ministerial staff. Commit to stronger regulation of lobbyists. Independent selection process for senior appointments to the Australian Public Service, the judiciary and major statutory bodies. Trial a citizen jury that would allow a small representative sample of the community to explore a major national issue in depth. Lead a national conversation to renew Australian democracy and update the Constitution. Lead a national conversation about the operation of the Australian Federation. The list has been endorsed by the likes of former Victorian Labor premier John Brumby and former Queensland LNP premier Campbell Newman. Report co-author and newDemocracy director Iain Walker said it wasn't good enough to say the system was broken if we didn't then try to fix it. "We're all complaining but no-one is trying anything new," he said. "This is just that little propulsion to say that whoever is in government come May 19, it's OK to trial something. "It's OK for it not to work, but if it does work, think of the dividend that you're going to get." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-07/federal-election-2019-sees-ideas-pitched-to-reform-democracy/11082216
"this is nothing more than, than a power grab." Sithlord and (US) Senate Majority Leader gotta get the entrenched powers out before you can change things.
I'm shocked number 9 isn't standard already, no wonder there's so much flagrant bullshit being thrown out everywhere when it comes to politics
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