It actually happened: independent surge in Australia as government changes
Representation in Australia’s Parliament has undergone a remarkable sea change after last Saturday’s elections. The previous government has lost around 20 seats in the 151 seat House of Representatives, taking … Continue reading
Independent prospects in today’s Australian election
It’s Election Day in Australia, and one of the key outcomes to watch is the fate of a historically large number of independent candidates with real chances of getting elected. … Continue reading
Australia’s growing habit of Independents
One to the key interests in Saturday’s Australian national elections is the sharply rising prospects of independent candidates, running without endorsement from any political party. This situation requires some explanation, … Continue reading
Logic of ‘voter equality’ drives WA electoral reform
An inquiry into defects in the way the Western Australian Legislative Council is elected has produced a most unusual reform report, and could see the state create possibly the world’s most democratic legislative chamber.
Australia unchanged
Australia has gone to a national election, and the result is a Parliament virtually identical to the outgoing one. The incumbent Liberal-National government will continue in office. And key political … Continue reading
Australia goes to the polls
Australians head to the polls today to elect their 46th national House of Representatives and half their Senate, both using preferential (ranked choice) voting. It will be a poignant event … Continue reading
Ranked choice voting: the Australian connection
Australians have been watching developments last week regarding ranked choice voting* (RCV) in the state of Maine – and potentially elsewhere in the US – with great interest, because Australia … Continue reading
Australia nears its centenary of ranked choice voting
Five seats in the Australian Parliament have been decided in a weekend of by-elections using preferential (ranked choice) voting. Across the United States and Canada, reform movements are calling for … Continue reading
Independent reviews of Australian electoral boundaries announced
Electoral boundaries for Australia’s national elections are being changed, and by a process entirely free of the gerrymandering that is afflicting elections in the United States, Malaysia and elsewhere. Australia … Continue reading
South Australian election historic, but for the wrong reasons
The unpredictable – some said “unwinnable” – election in South Australia has thrown up a result not at all favoured by the polls and betting markets; a majority Liberal government. … Continue reading
On Elections 