alan, we only have one vote, so we choose the party that will give more money, or steal less. but if we had cir, we get to vote on separate issues. one vote on our income, one vote on war or peace, one vote for this environment issue, another for that.

on most issues, we can afford to think of the nation's welfare, not just our own. it works in switzerland.

24 american states have some citizen input to policy. the people of california reduced their education budget, but california is the engine room of america, under citizen control. even if they get it wrong, and they are mortal, their batting average is much better than pollie dominated states.

getting cir would not turn oz upside down. even after citizen groups got their act together with a referendum proposal, more than half the electorate would have to like it before it could pass. that's much better than leaving policy in the hands of half a dozen men in suits, plotting in secret to reward their campaign fund contributors.

We should have the Hare Clarke system as in Tasmania, it was so sucesful there they butchered it.
I don't think I have ever had a true representive in parliament in my life, as I have never voted for my local member, and my ideas and ideals wouldn't even get a hearing.
If we 5 members per electorate there is a chance one would empathise with me, and the rest would have to take a bit more notice of the voter, of course we would have a lot less electorates but a more democratic system.