Two-party tyranny

In the two-party system varied public interests are compelled to seek expression within either party. This also means that a government is rarely an expression of the democratic will.

The unhealthy necessity of maintaining an often-dubious front of unity and solidarity over a broad range of public policy areas, in either major party, can be avoided by introducing PR. This would transform the major party factions into independent political parties whose representatives would be transparent in the parliament.

It would also encourage new entrants. In the past the two-party system indicated a quite clear demarcation between two main classes in society. That demarcation has basically come to an end. More than 90 per cent of Australian voters see themselves as "middle class". Even if the perception is erroneous it is an electoral reality. PR would permit much greater flexibility in the parliament and end the backstabbing, branch stacking and internecine strife in the major parties. That would be progress in itself. These negative energies could be spent much more effectively.

If we are serious about reform of the major parties and the party system then we have to start with the electoral system. It is now obvious that this is a prerequisite. It is the one reform that’ll break the political and constitutional vicious circle in this country.