Can we improve our democratic system at the election?

No - unfortunately not.

In a democratic system ideally the politicians are representatives of citizens who voted for them. They should make sure that decision-making in parliament is done in the best interest of the citizens, which requires discussing all positive and negative aspects of changes, which again requires competence.

There are many reasons why I consider parliament and politicians failing their duties:

If a politician is member of e party he/she has to follow party rules which prevents him/her to act in the best interests of represented citizens.

If a single party has a majority in both houses process is dominated by party dictatorship - lack of detailed discussion and rushed decision making.

Are our politicians competent? I am not convinced - not the government and not the opposition.

Following parliament discussions I consider it an adult kinder-garden. Instead of serving the Australian citizens in the best interest, focussed on the core issues at hand it is a forum of ego profiling and media focused acting to get better polls.

In my opinion only a government including several parties and independents is good for democracy. Decision making may be slower and decision may be less radical and compromised, but in the end this is better for the majority of the citizens.

Australian citizens should have the right for direct democratic powers like referendums and initiatives on council, state and federal level similar to Switzerland to keep politicians a bit more honest and to limit their powers.

I will therefore only vote for small parties and independents and not for the biggest three any more.

*Can we improve our democratic system at the election?
No - unfortunately not.*

Well yes we could but not at this election, it's too late.
Compulsory voting is one stumbling block. It was to give everyone an equal say but of course it does not take into account the vagaries of the people voting.
I know a woman who is in her 70s and has no idea what an election/auction is all about. To put it mildly she is mentally challenged but she has a vote.
I have a friend who is in an advanced stage of Alzheimer's, he also has a vote but it will be a random choice for him.
Ideally it should be mandated that all voters take an intelligence test and if they are below a certain value lose the right to vote.

I agree that Australian citizens should have the right for direct democratic powers like referendums and initiatives on council, state and federal level similar to Switzerland to keep politicians a bit more honest and to limit their powers.

The other block to democracy is allowing donations to parties and individuals.
This is just a recipe for corruption. If there is any doubt about this, you just have to look at the ongoing ICAC revelations.