Dear Belly,

I'm probably going to get yelled at for this - but I'm happy with the system we've got. Just not the current leadership at present. Still, it could be a lot worse. Though I'm not sure how. Anwyay, we're free to criticise our government - nobody puts you in jail if you voice your opinions and if we don't like the ones in government we can vote them out at the next election. My only criticism has been the current attacks that have been taking place between the parties recently. I wish that they would be civilised towards each other and stop muddying the waters with personal attacks. Criticise policies by all means - but do more that just criticise - offer better ides. Just tearing somebody down is not very constructive and usually ends up not being taken seriously. Where are the statesmen and leaders - all we have currently
is a bunch of bar-room brawlers - which is not very encouraging. And at times downright nasty.

we can vote them out at the next election.
Lexi,
In theory yes, in practice no. Just look at our last federal election. Despite the fact that that Government was on the nose it got in again but not via democracy.
Same in Qld several years ago when Peter Beattie's Government went off the rails they still got in again and, again not via Democracy. Our so-called Democracy is in actual fact a dictatorship of independents.
Oakeshott & Wellington called the shots but they weren't in no way elected by a democratic majority.

No Kicks from me Lexi, I agree.
But why are we forced to bend to minority's,what can we do about it?
What minority's are we talking about.
I am apolitical Animal, my fears will be around that, but not exclusively.
Who can look me in the eye and say they are not concerned about the impacts of this hung Parliament.
In a month the greens, [have you looked at what percentage of the vote they have?\ will control our upper house.
The fix, get rid of the senate.
Fear runaway fools? then fixed elections every 30 months = Accountability.
The speaker has foot prints all over his back, thanks Oakshot!
Noisy foolish children from both sides of the house.
Lets change the rules expel offenders for one full sitting of Parliament.
Family first? how did that well named but Dysfunctional team get a seat?
Why am I a racist because as one of the majority I fear the idiots out side that court and ask why are we letting trouble build like this.
Yes we must be inclusive but surely to some extent SOME migrants must too.
I think, may be wrong, apart from funerals and weddings most Australians are not Christians.
Why then do we see everything from sporting and trading bans in their name.
Why at Christmass, why please tell me? do some shops remove reference to CHRISTmass so as NOT TO OFFEND 2% of our population.
Are majority rights flexible but not minority's?

@ individual:

I don't think that you can claim credibly that Australia's State and Federal elections aren't democratic. I know for a fact that the AEC and ECQ go to great lengths to ensure that they are conducted democratically, ergo the results of any election conducted by them are democratic. I'm sure if the AEC and ECQ had fallen down on the job they'd have been taken to court by one political party or another!

That's not to say that elements of our particular system couldn't be made more democratic, for example by the adoption of the kinds of system I alluded to above - which would increase the representativeness, and hence democracy, of elected governments.

You seem to be able to find fault with our Westminster form of democracy. What system would you recommend that would be more democratic?

What system would you recommend that would be more democratic?
morgonzola,
I'd like to see an australian system with one vote one value, flat tax & National Service.
Why, we're always on about how we don't need Mamma England no more yet we cling onto her systems like we haven't been weaned off mother yet.
Let's have it out once & for all. Become a Republic with our own brand of electoral & Government system. We can set a date for it and off we go. We can't become a functional Republic under the present system. We all know it doesn't work. So, let's set it right. There's no better time than the present.

"I'm probably going to get yelled at for this"

Not so far.

I largely agree but while the rest of us play the personality issue as well the pollies are unlikely to drop it. Our system has made individual pollies the focus, often their electability is about how they are perceived rather than the kind of job they will do.

A reserved polly who does not have good answers readily at hand does not survive the media. The best job is probably done by those who take advice from those who know the topic's, not those who are able to spin any topic but the latter looks more competant.

R0bert