"SERIOUS SHIT YOU MISSED in the time since the last serious shit you missed this week" WRITER: Riley Metcalfe
8
Last week, I briefly commented on the bi-
tory, the number of candidates tripled (9
Ludlam, a Greens Senator who has been a
zarre results seen in the Senate in the elec-
in 2010, 27 in 2013.) Most of these new
vocal supporter of Julian Assange. These
tion last month. In Victoria, the Australian
parties are insignificant single-issue par-
preferences take from the voter the power
Motoring Enthusiast’s Party won a Senator
ties, which do not make any serious at-
of their vote, and, more often than not,
with a mere 0.51% of the vote (17,122 vo-
tempt at campaigning. Their ‘campaign’
give it to an opponent. A Sex Party voter
tes.) In Western Australia, the Australian
begins and ends at the ballot box, when
would likely rather a Green or Labor Sena-
Sports Party almost won a Senator with
they attempt to appeal to the voter with
tor in place of a One Nation Senator – but
even less votes. In South Australia, Family
their title. These parties are numerous –
the Sex Party’s preference arrangements do
First has returned from the grave, winning
from the ‘Australian Fishing and Lifestyle
not reflect that. These preference arrange-
a Senate seat with 3.76% of the vote. In
Party’ to the ‘Smokers’ Rights Party,’ to
ments take the power of the vote from the
New South Wales, the Liberal Democratic
the ‘Animal Justice Party.’ Individually,
hands of the voter, and deliver it to party
Party won 9.51% of the vote and a Senator
these parties do not gain a large num-
officials, leading to a result inconsistent
– largely due to their position at the front
ber of votes (usually less than 1%,) but,
with the voter’s vote.
of the ballot. Such bizarre results are a re-
by preferencing each other ahead of the
sult of two main factors – the proliferation
three major parties, they can collectively
The results in the Senate election last
of ‘microparties,’ and byzantine, undemo-
get one Senator elected. This is what
month show that reform of the Senate
cratic preference arrangements.
caused the election of Ricky Muir (of the
preferential voting system is sorely nee-
Australian Motoring Enthusiasts Party),
ded. Several suggestions have been made
After the 2010 election – which saw a then
and nearly caused the election of Way-
– above-the-line preferential voting, op-
unprecedented 349 Senate candidates, the
ne Dropulich (of the Australian Sports
tional preferential voting, abolishing abo-
Electoral Commission tightened the rules
Party). The preference arrangements for
ve-the-line voting, or simply eliminating all
regarding nomination, in an attempt to cut
the microparties rarely follow ideology.
candidates who do not achieve a certain
down on the number of frivolous Senate
Votes for the ‘Animal Rights Party,’ in
percentage of the vote. Now, the ball is in
candidates. This clearly failed – in 2013 the
the Australian Capital Territory helped to
Abbot’s court, but he is unlikely to pursue
number of candidates has increased to
get a Liberal Senator elected (ahead of
voting reform until close to the next elec-
529. In New South Wales, there were 110
a Green,) while Wikileaks Party votes in
tion. He needs to work with these Senators,
candidates. In the Australian Capital Terri-
Western Australia helped to defeat Scott
after all.
International House Globe