cont'd ...

Abolishing the Senate would give more power to the
more populous states to the greater disadvantage
of all the other states - both politically and
financially.

Hmmm Lexi, I have for a long time thought that maybe it would be
better to get rid of the state governments.
We are annoyed by "them" always saying it is the state or feds.

Merge councils, say three into one, and remove the states.
Good idea ?

Dear Belly,

Yes, I got the name of our electoral-system wrong. I stand corrected.

However, it doesn't change the essence, which is that minorities in Australia cannot for all intents and purposes be represented (unless they happen to live in the same arbitrary geographical division).

Recently, for example, a German court ruled that [non-medical] circumcision is illegal. Nothing could be worse for an orthodox Jew, who would even give up his life to fulfill what they believe to be God's commandment to circumcise one's son. Now I'm not personally in favour of circumcision, so that's just an example, but such an event would rightly prompt Jews to form their "Jewish party" that would run for parliament in attempt to avert that terrible decree.

A Jewish party with 1-2 MPs would then negotiate with the major parties somewhere along the lines of "If you allow us to circumcise our sons, then we will give you a free hand in other areas, supporting your policies on budget/taxes/foreign-policy/immigration/AGW/etc." - now what's fairer than that? shouldn't minorities be allowed to defend what's most dear to them, at times dearer than life?

I could provide 100 more examples of things that are most dear to certain minorities, where the sacrifice required by the majority to accommodate these, if any, is minimal. It is quite possible that yourself, Belly, will find yourself one day in such a minority, and it is quite possible that at that time nobody 'up there' will be willing to listen to you and your cries of grief. The existing electoral system is not only unjust - it is cruel!

Dear Bazz,

The duplicity of states and feds is indeed annoying: I therefore say, let's get rid of the feds!

This way, if I fall in a bad state with impossibly-cruel laws, then I could at least move to another state, but if there is only one federal entity, then where shall I escape other than into the ocean feeding my body to the sharks?

Dear Bazz,

No. I don't think it's a good idea. I don't like
the idea of a future Australia that depicts a
scene with mini-nations instead of states; a
continent without a federal parliament, without
social welfare, public health or education, without
any co-ordination of trade or economic policies.
I find that view disturbing.

I am getting very much what was expected here.
Maybe I am wrong, we all could benefit by understanding we may be.
Once only the DLP was seen to hold power in say the senate, a balance? no control.
The now dead, and it was self inflicted Democrats, passed, and I agreed, Howard's GST, why? to win special wishes.
Who of us has seen an individual senator vote against their party's interests? so much for representation.
How many of us can point to one thing the greens, on 12% gave ground on, in the interests of other than their followers.
In my state, NSW we have an upper house, controlled in the now normal balanced way.
Fred Niles extremist self serving Christians.
And two, one shaky on honesty grounds shooters party.
How can a landslide victory not let that party rule?
Labor or Liberal, an elected government should not be controlled by so few voters.
What is the point of democracy if minority's can strangle it.
Show me the damage inflicted on QLD by it not haveing an upper house for 56 years

Lexi, I did not suggest getting rid of the Commonwealth government.
It would take over all the state govt functions except a few that could
be passed to the larger councils.