Where does the idea that a minority party (or independant) holding the balance of power is undemocratic come from?

To have that balance of power they need to vote with about half of the rest of the senate. The greens have no chance of blocking or passing legislation that is not supported by most of the senators from one of the major parties.

They have no more power than any other senator, maybe just a bit more room to move as they don't need to maintain solidarity with a large party in which their voice may not count for much.

Any other senator or group of senators can exercise the same power if they are willing to go against the wishes of their party.

Any power the minors have really comes from the ability to seek concessions from a major party in exchange for giving concessions.

R0bert

So, shall "we" agree to an abolishing of of the Senate's ability to refuse supply to the House?

"Government by the people. In the people's house' -GW

OR
Should Rudd have a Referendum to abolish the Senate altogether & forever and use millions/billions of $ in tax-payers money in advertising to support such a proposal?

RObert by mid term I will ask you that question.
Fact is all party's are pressured into passing things in return for support from minor party's.
Look at the now dead forever Democrats and GST , another poster asks why should the greens not have representation too, hard but why should 5 seats be able to have so much power?
GST was not an evil thing while it hurt the Democrats it was good for the country and both sides had wanted it.
senate will look like this 37 coalition, 32 ALP 5 Greens 1 SA independent 1 Family first.
ALP must have the greens to pass legislation, plus both others.
Combine the vote of coalition and Labor, tell that number very high 80% they should not be concerned,
by mid term the greens may block anything at times combining with both sides against the other in turn.

I thought I would revisit the thread before it drifts away.
What a change in Australian politics! even just in the time this thread has been alive.
The thread or some contributions highlight the very real problems for the short to medium future of conservative Australia.
Remember the threads in the months leading up to the election?
Strong belief Australia would not fall for? Kevin Rudd and Labor?
That no talent existed in Labors team?
Just think about that single statement, no talent? Future Prime Minister Bill Shorten is not yet a minister!
Yet he will be , both a minister and Prime Minister he may have to wait 15 years for the second to come about.
Fears about IR reform, true this time reform, me too ism ,surely no longer seen as a problem?
We are hearing the very beginning of a debate about John Howard and the negative impacts on his party nationally.
A storm heard in the distance yet growing to soon cast names and reputations high on the beach.
And it clearly looks like many conservatives still do not understand the reasons for or impact of the result of the election.
Do you want to know the impacts?
loss of government federally for nothing less than 6 years.
Positive side? death of, it will take time, Howard's NSW Liberal right, after that?
Slow but steady rebuilding of conservative party's around Australia.
To me a committed ALP member the saddest thing is my state.
My diabolic NSW government is assured still of a real chance of wining by default the next election.
Unless the NSW right lets Liberal Branch's breath it will be no contest.

Dear Julie
The Liberal Party did not win Western Australia the Liberal Party were a lifeless rabble during the six weeks leading up to the Election. No the Conservative Media won it for the Liberals the Sunday Times and the West Australian that is why the Distributors were selling those Newspapers for only a dollar each delivered. It brainwashed the electorate with propaganda that was never ever correct. These newspapers were relentless smearing Alan Carpenter, Jim McGinty, Julia Gillard, Greg Combet and Sharon Burrows by the time election day had arrived Trade Unionism was stygmitised as evil.
The Electorate did not spare a thought for Bernie Banton and everything that this great hero stood for. Non thinking politically niave buffoons were repeatedly quoting Union Bosses when that is just not the case. All Unions are membership driven. Belly quoted Bill Shorten as a future Labor Leader I hope not he is privately for Nuclear Power.