Governance and Citizenship in Australia
Essay Plan
Topic: The fact that Minor parties and Independents in the Senate usually hold the balance of power undermines democracy in Australia. Critically discuss the statement with reference to the electoral and party systems in Australia.
This essay will start by looking into the roles Minor and Independent parties play in Australian democracy. Firstly, the Minor and Independent parties help to identify Australia’s issues of concern. Secondly, they arise new ideas and criticize their oppositions which is the Major parties. In areas of criticism, issues that Major parties try to ignore or act reluctant on are such areas that Minor parties try to excavate. The Minor and Independent parties do this in a way of using the media for public’s attention.
In short, Minor and Independent parties are Australia’s social activist. They play key roles in the Australian democratic system by focusing on equality. Minor and Independent parties play essential roles in the Australian electoral system despite their inability to form a government. However, in some cases, they are likely to overuse their power. Their party choice of preference(s) can have great influence in the voting system or electoral outcome.
On one hand, Minor and Independent parties can be highly essential to parliamentary democracy and can as well undermine democracy. An example is, when Minor and Independent parties hold what is term as ‘balance of power’ in the Senate, they have the power to influence or reject government’s project.
The Australian Minor and Independent parties consists of parties such as the Greens and Democrats, socialists, religious groups and environmentalists. They give more rights and freedom to Australian citizens to have their say in issues of concern or interests more than the Major parties. They try their best to raise the issue, get the community to respond, and pressure the Major parties to respond to them. This aspect of...