Theory/practice Flashcards
Representation
-parliament represents the people
-7+24 ‘directly chosen by the people’
-British parliament and pre federation history in Aus political parties were quite weak
-reps in HOR act in interests of constituents
Delegate representation
-a member of parliament is mouthpiece of people who elected them
-re-represents the values and concerns of constituents in parliament
-delegates ensure constituents voices are heard in legislative
Trustee representation
-members of parliament should make judgement about trustee best interests
-MPs don’t continuously communicate with constituents
State representation
-senate = representative role unrelated to British Westminster model
-state representation: senate represents six sovereign states at national level
-each state regardless of population is equally represented
In practice: political party
-leading representative associations in aus
-PARTY ALLEGIANCE - most electors identify with a party rather than a person
-most electors vote for parties whose policies reflect worldview - not trustees and delegates
-creates PARTISAN REPRESENTATION
Leader centric representation
-focused on leaders not party
-makes Aus politics ore presidential -personality traits are dominant influence
-people for/against parties based on leader
-policies less important
24/7 news media
-most electors don’t know who local reps, only being able to identify who’s in power and who’s PM
Independents
-sometimes influential on local candidates can overcome leader centrism + be elected
-independents function as traditional delegate / trustee representative
-grass roots electoral based organisations can support independents
-e.g. : voices for Indi, voices of warringah, 2019
2019 election: importance of leaders
-bill shotrens lack of popularity led many to choose Morrison
-dozens of polls in years b4 election showed gov was unpopular and would likely loose election
-months before election coalition had many disasters: leadership spill which removed PM Malcom Turnbull, factional divisions, first gov in 80 years to lose a legislative vote in THOR ( medevac)
-despite this polls indicate widespread preference for Morrison
-2019 election returned Morrison to power showing: power of leader centrism, leader popularity can overcome weak record
Senators resisting discipline
-reforms to senate electoral system in 2016 increased the power of electors and decreased power of parties to influence represetation’
-2016 parties could use negotiated preference deals to deny one nation a senate quota and prevent candidates being elected
-in 2016 2019 elections one nation won sentate represetation because electors
-parties were unable to manipulate preference distributions to keep one nation out of parliament
-senators have 6 yr terms
-increased resistance to party disci[pline
-lengthier terms mean can risk breaking w party on important issues
-e.g. marriage amebmendebt act 2017
Statutes
-commonwealth parliament = national legislature
-elected reps = legislators
-role includes creating statutes
-statutes in theory:
-well scrutinised through speech debate
-diverse input from elected reps
-can be initiated by any MP
-follow statutory process derived from British practice
