"i think an alternative might be to have peer-elected experts in those roles instead, with emphasis on being apolitical

How can you have an elected position that doesn't involve politics? Isn't this just a way to circumvent democracy, by reducing what people can vote on?

"Where a small number of people controls a big number, there is potential for corruption.

You could easily argue the opposite. Curruption is easier to get away with with a more distrinbuted system (eg locval councils) because the media isn't paying as much attention.

"My suggestion is to re-localise government into thousands of (relatively) tiny councils that receive all taxes and rates.

This would not involve any kind of democratic reform. If the people wanted it, they could achieve it in a few years by voting for lean state and federal governments and higher taxing local governments.

"If I had my way, we would also elect judges and other key civil servants.

I think the Americans do this for some senior police positions. I'm not sure it is a good idea to introduce politics into that. I don't think they do it for judges. That could lead to a breakdown of common law. The reason we have to two systems is so that public opinion can override common law via parliament.

"I will never accept the idea that a 10 year old girl has a sufficiently developed sense of self to know if she is or is not giving consent for sex with one adult,

I think you misunderstood the judge's comments.

http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1197456786/1#1

Hi Freediver

" How can you have an elected position that doesn't involve politics? Isn't this just a way to circumvent democracy, by reducing what people can vote on? '
Yes it would be more preferable to have public input into the heads of essential services, i guess the point i am making is that we currently have people who have very little expertise in a particular field (i.e. ministers who get shuffled every year) making the decisions about a service that affects a whole country... completely ludicrous. Wouldnt it be better to have people who are experienced, have dedicated their careers to that field and are respected by their peers?

" Curruption is easier to get away with with a more distrinbuted system (eg locval councils) because the media isn't paying as much attention. "
Do you think it is only the media that holds people accountable? If you knew your local pollie was a crook, tell your neighbours and friends, petition your council and he/she gets scrutinised and possibly ejected. Try doing that to John Howard (or Rudd). Thats the whole point. Make politics small enough so that people do feel they have a say and can make a difference.

"My suggestion is to re-localise government into thousands of (relatively) tiny councils that receive all taxes and rates."
"If the people wanted it, they could achieve it in a few years by voting for lean state and federal governments and higher taxing local governments."
Maybe, and that would be a good thing. But do you really think the federal and state govts would stand by and let that happen? They would fight it tooth and nail. Also for me its not just about the taxation system but also the decision making process. Nationally significant issues should be decided by the whole nation. Local issues should be decided by the whole locality.

Hi Demos

Yes, nice one. By the way my girlfriend says we are three... landslide victory coming up!

"Wouldnt it be better to have people who are experienced, have dedicated their careers to that field and are respected by their peers?

Yes, but the way to achieve that is via existing democratic processes, not some complicated constitution that separates the power from the people.

"Do you think it is only the media that holds people accountable? If you knew your local pollie was a crook, tell your neighbours and friends, petition your council and he/she gets scrutinised and possibly ejected.

I would go to the media and get them exposed properly.

"Try doing that to John Howard (or Rudd).

That's what I'm doing via my website.

"But do you really think the federal and state govts would stand by and let that happen?

They wouldn't have a choice. They would be voted out if they didn't.