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THE ADVERTISER, Wednesday, July 12, 2024 - Page 1
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BEECHWORTH - CHILTERN - RUTHERGLEN - STANLEY - YACKANDANDAH Friday, July 12, 2024
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Fatal collision at Allans Flat Page 2
FAMILY AFFAIR Beechworth Book’s Nadia David interviewed her father Ian about his work and journey as a screenwriter last month. See story page 4. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley
Indigo Interview Page 5
Democracy under threat? A former p political jjournalist delivered an oration on the fragility g y of democracyy on Sundayy FORMER high-profile political journalist, commentator and current affairs television presenter Barrie Cassidy delivered a thoughtprovoking oration on the fragility and decline of democracy at home and abroad on Sunday. Mr Cassidy drew a packed audience at Memorial Hall of close to 450 people, with many standing at the 22nd George Briscoe Kerferd Oration. Nearly 400 online viewers
BY CORAL COOKSLEY ccooksley@ nemedia.com.au
also tuned into the streamlined event from across the region and beyond for his presentation titled ‘The Fragility of Democracy’. “Democracy is challenged and fragile everywhere and in fact the world is in a democratic recession,” Mr Cassidy said.
Mr Cassidy said in Australia there is growing disillusionment with the major political parties, fuelled by issues such as lobbyists’ influence, political campaign funding, and a lack of trust in politics. “The emergence of independents may lead to more scrutiny of these issues and potentially force the major parties to address them,” he said. “If Australia shifts to-
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wards minority government, these problems may become more pressing and lead to more meaningful reforms. “What has impressed me as much as you can read an audience’s reactions collectively here is a real embrace of change, and politics being done in a different way. “And it doesn’t surprise me because I think the way that the political system has operated over decades now,
does demand a new way and two-party system is under pressure for a reason. “When I first went to Canberra 90 per cent of people voted for one of the major parties now it’s down to about 64 per cent so people are looking for change.” Mr Cassidy cited democracy in the United States being undermined in various ways, including the Capital riots on January 6, 2021, and the relevancy of forthcoming elec-
tions and voting processes. He said the country’s recent Supreme Court decision - transparently political - granted immunity to a president for actions taken as part of a presidency giving new rules to guide the country. “One of the key pillars of democracy is a free and independent judiciary and this does not demonstrate independence,” he said. ■ Continued page 4
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