Democracy reform is long overdue!

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.

Party politics is ruining our Democracy. It is time to dismantle the partisan model and consider other ways of enabling the people to rule and find leaders that will lead, not just meekly follow the latest opinion polls.

Politics as we know it is dead and politicians are failing in their duty as the custodians of democracy. Democratic reform is long overdue.

It is too early to tell how the election of Emmanuel Macron as President of France and now the landslide victory for his party will be remembered by history. But like the the election of Donald Trump, the implosion of the Torys and the return of Pauline in our own political backyard, they are all symptoms of a rapidly changing political landscape. It is up to us, the people, to influence what that change will look like.