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Keeping political parties honest

By Natasha Stott Despoja - posted Friday, 15 February 2002


Making Political Parties Democratic

Some political parties in Australia, including the Australian Labor Party, have internal voting systems that give some members (and even non-members) greater voting power than other members, resulting in gerrymandered conventions, delegations and ballots.

‘One vote one value’ is a fundamental democratic principle recognised by Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It should be mandatory within political parties. This long-standing Democrat policy was recently endorsed by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.

Labor MP Carmen Lawrence has spoken out against the position in her own party:

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"it is clear that unions - honourable contributors to Labor history and policy - exercise disproportionate influence through the 60:40 rule and through their affiliated membership, many of whom have no direct connection to the party. One vote, one value - the prime condition for a democracy - is not observed in the party’s rules."

If one vote one value were universally respected in political parties then most undemocratic and manipulated preselections, delegations and ballots would no longer be possible.

The Democrats are the only party committed to changing politics by requiring political parties to meet minimum standards of internal democracy and accountability.

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This is the Australian Democrats' party reform policy, launched for the federal election in October 2001.



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About the Author

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja was the Australian Democrats spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Attorney-Generals, Science & Biotechnology, Higher Education and the Status of Women (including Work & Family). She is a former Senator for South Australia.

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