Plans are again afoot within the Australian government to try to cripple the democratic nature of the Senate. But there is an alternative direction that reform could take.
Category: Australia
On changing a constitution
Australia's constitution is difficult to amend, and that's not a bad thing. But resistance to change is far from uniform.
Oh no, not 1975 again!
Britain could be headed for a constitutional crisis that can be likened to that of 1975 in Australia. But the differences are more revealing than the similarities.
Oh dear, it’s free speech again
Once again, the right of a "controversial" speaker to enter Australia is up for debate. His supporters seem oblivious to the contradictions in their position.
Who counts for representation? – part II
Australia and the US both apportion seats on the basis of population, but use different approaches to drawing boundaries. It could become a political issue.
Who counts for representation? – part I
Donald Trump's attempt to politicise the census has failed for now, but it raises interesting issues about how representation is supposed to work.
How to appoint a prime minister
Malcolm Turnbull may have had a hypothetical constitutional manoeuvre to block Peter Dutton, but would the same trick work against Boris Johnson?
A centre-left revival? Part III: Australia
Australia was supposed to be part of a centre-left revival, but it didn't work out that way. Only so much blame can be attached to the electoral system.
Be careful what you wish for
Turkey's president has his wings clipped in a re-run of Istanbul's mayoral election, showing again that voters don't like sore losers.
What is Bill Shorten doing?
Australia's rule for the disposal of former party leaders needs debate and possibly revision. But Bill Shorten is not the ideal person to make that case.
