Dear rehctub,

I think the government has enough on its
plate at the moment to worry about
any Referendums just yet. However, things
like euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and a few
other things may just be brought up by the
Greens in their private member's bills.

We'll have to wait and see.

I agree with Pelly, if any of these topics
do come up in parliament - it should be
decided on a conscience vote.

Fantastic idea Rehctub:

How? Just like what everyone else said- whenever initiated by petition or whenever a dreaded 'conscience vote' rears its ugly head:

Also Pericles:
"Just think of the number of laws that will need to be created each year, thanks to the conga-line of busybodies and do-gooders, who want to tell other people what to wear, decide what they can eat and drink, control how fast they drive, clamp down on what they don't want them to read..."
I would actually argue that such types have an easier time now in getting their way than under a CIR-topped democracy, when they can simply lobby MPs, or, like Tony Abbot and Stephen Conroy, simply become ministers of the area they want to take control over;

I'm personally much more alarmed that one person can dictate their own beliefs onto us with the only way out being to vote in a potentially worse party- or their specific electorate (Which may be do-gooder central) personally decides to drop them.

As opposed to trust the broader populace who at least, I can guarantee:
1- sincerely wants to do the right thing
2-Would be the recipients of the policy and would at least care what the consequences are
3- would be less embarrassed to correct a bad decision they themselves made.

I for one would seriously doubt we would still be debating whether to implement Euthanasia legality, an Internet Filter and the sale of public assets to Macquarie Bank just to watch the service drop and the price rise, at the very least.

I vote we bring in an Anarchy party and stop pussy footing around like the other 3 stooges are. I mean their policies are ultimately heading that way so why prolong it? Just bring in the Anarchy party, adopt all the other 3 stooges policies and let the flames begin. When it's over, we can then have a referendum on whether we need Government at all or if a tribal council will suffice!

So am I right in assumming we live in a democratic society, but only when it suits?

The majority should not have the right to impose their beliefs on the minority in an democracy.

Flo

You ask how it hurts me? It doesn't, either way I couldn't really care. But a lot of people do and that is the problem, they want a result so I support the idea of putting it to them. The same with the burqa, I don't mind if women (however small the population) wear burqa's on their drivers licence photo. But some are in outrage over it, so again, let the people decide what is legalised. In a democratic society, I think it is fair to allow the majority to overrule the minority with their beliefs. That is how we elect the governing power.

Poverty and injustice will always be, as will the destructive nature of mankind. Until everyone is willing to give, nobody will be free from this.