The Forum > Article Comments > The Senate: the pathway to reform in Australia > Comments
The Senate: the pathway to reform in Australia : Comments
By Klaas Woldring, published 23/11/2007In a political system dominated by two look-alikes, an independent Senate can be a force for review and reform.
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"Voters could make use of their precious right to vote in Senate candidates who are NOT members of the major political parties. Indeed I would go as far as to say that it would be sensible not to vote for any major party Senate candidates. The proportional representation of the Senate certainly does provide that opportunity."
is unfortunately not in step with reality.
Only through "deal making" with large political patrons can smaller parties expect to make much ground in Senate elections.
And the Group Ticket and compulsory preferential voting system makes it impossible for voters to actually "express their view" on the day.
I advocate ending compulsion to number every box under the line and restriction of ticket voting such that your above the line vote only allocates preferences to candidates of your chosen party.
In this way the balance between above and below the line will be achieved, removing the natural inclination of 96% of voters to "outsource" (knowingly or not) their precious vote.
A website that might interest anyone trying to convince politicians of the need to make the Senate electoral system simpler (and I'd argue, finally in compliance with section 7 of the Constitution) is:
www.myspace.com/savethesenate