Parliament as a democratic institution

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Parliament as a democratic institution

• POLS2103 Australian Democracy
• Dr Norman Abjorensen

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The centrality of parliament
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• Political equality
• Popular control of government
• Civil liberties/Human Rights
• Public deliberation

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Problem of majority rule 1. What constitutes a
majority? - majority of participating
voters - majority of residents - majority of
citizens - a plurality of participating
voters 2. What constitutes rule? - rule as
majority sees fit - any form of rule as long as
not unconstitutional - rule according to due
process - rule as determined by simple majority
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Demos kratos democracy Rule by the
people NOT Rule by a majority of the
people DELIBERATION
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Confidence in social institutions () in 1990s
Source Tiffen Gittens (2004) p. 244
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• Democratisation
• The process of becoming more democratic
• Two assumptions
• 1. The political parties with majority of seats
  represent a majority of the people
• 2. Standard of majority rule used to measure
  parliament

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• Political equality
• Does parliament protect this value?
• restrictions on voting rights?
• restrictions on right to stand for election?
• restrictions on taking ones seat as elected
  representative?

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• Some more equal than others?
• How is official party status determined?
• Rules geared to Nationals
• In Victoria, 11 members needed (Nats have 11)
• In WA, 5 members in Legislative Assembly (Nats
  qualify but Greens, with 5 in LC, do not)
• In Federal Parlt 5 members in either house
• Nats qualify but Greens do not, despite larger
  vote

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• Popular control of government
• How fair is electoral system?
• Is HoR electoral system truly fair?
• The issue of mandate
• Recall of incompetent ministers?
• Mechanisms of accountability
• Political donors what is the quid pro quo?

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Rights and liberties How effective is power to
scrutinise regulation? Government by
regulation Senates disallowance 2000 14/1850 2
001 2/1293 2002 6/2035
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Executive domination Private Members Bills
passed since Federation? 16 9 originating in
Senate 7 in House of Representatives But on
average 22 introduced each year
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• Deliberation
• Few Private Members Bills debated
• Restrictions on research staff
• Question Time half are govt questions answers
  evaded
• Little focus on committee work

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How accountable? Ministers do not have to answer
questions 2003 questions on Iraq GOVT OPP ANS
WERS 14 5 EVADED 0 14 INTERMEDIATE RESPONSES
0 14
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The Speaker Should he/she be independent of
party?