Democracy is a system of government designed to protect and uphold the rights of the people. And to protect the people from government. In that sense, the case of the ‘Canberra Two’ is both scary and illuminating.
The first book in The Why Series is out now! A democracy upgrade is long overdue. My book outlines a clear and concise plan for how to modernise our democracy, and restore our collective faith in those chosen to govern our future.
Despite the many rules in place to regulate it, political donations remain a scourge on our democracy. The ill conceived ‘Funding and Disclosure’ bill is stalled in the Senate. What we need are simple regulations or maybe even banning political donations altogether.
Short term thinking has taken hold of our society at all levels – our political leaders rarely see beyond the next poll or the next election, and in many ways they are responding to a populace that is equally sucked into the demands of the moment – resulting in ‘the longevity vacuum’ – putting us all at the mercy of an unplanned future.
Political donations are a scourge on democracy. No business, corporation, organisation or individual gives without the expectation or hope of an outcome, and it fundamentally undermines the democratic decision making process. Banning all donations to political candidates, representatives and political parties is the simple solution.
Richard Walsh is tackling voter empowerment head on with some novel ideas on how we the voters may get the elected representatives that we deserve rather than the party delegates who serve us so poorly today.
It is easy to criticise Malcolm Turnbull for his lack of leadership. I do it often. Even more so because he is the indirect reason I decided to become an Australian citizen.
But what the debacle of same sex marriage has demonstrated more than anything, is that to be a leader of a political party is not just difficult, but almost impossible.
The mere notion of leadership in politics has become a contradiction in terms.
Bill Shorten’s suggestion of a fixed term of four years for parliament is music to my ears. But it is just one of many changes required to restore faith in democracy. Limited tenure is another, equally important reform.
The resignation of two senators because they found themselves not to be qualified for election, raises (at least) two very interesting issues. The need for constitutional reform, and the paucity of defined standards to which we hold our politicians accountable.
Donations (or favours of any kind) fundamentally undermines the democratic decision making process. The immutability of our elected representative is the linchpin on which the integrity of the system is based. Without that the system becomes corrupt. Banning political donations is the first step to repairing democracy.
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