Electoral Reform - Sparty Style

Jul 27, 2024

∙ Paid

I was triggered. Triggered.

Reading a fascinating piece in Spectator Australia about political competition, it got me thinking about electoral reform - given the current and increasingly rigged system in Australia.

Sadly I know none of these will ever get up. Or up in my life time. Our power and money hungry political parties, politicians and wanna-be politicians will never allow it. But I can dream.

A dreamy, surreal landscape depicting the concept of electoral reform in Australia. The background features iconic Australian landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Uluru, blending into a whimsical sky filled with floating ballot papers and voting booths. In the foreground, a diverse group of people are gathered, discussing and envisioning a fair and just electoral system. Ethereal elements like floating clocks and scales symbolize time and justice, while a transparent map of Australia hovers above, indicating national unity. The scene is bathed in a soft, dreamlike glow with pastel colors enhancing the surreal atmosphere.

So here are Sparty’s 7 ideas for electoral reform. The first 2 came from the Spec. Drop your own ideas in the comments.

1 - Binding citizen-initiated referenda (as occur in Switzerland).

Binding citizen-initiated referenda in Switzerland allow citizens to shape their legal and constitutional framework actively. There are 2 kinds for referenda.

To change the constitution - you need 100,000 signature within 18 months. It is then debated in the parliament and put to a vote.
To change laws passed be the parliament - you need 50,000 signatures within 100 days of the publication of the law. This referendum is put to a vote and thus the people can either amend or repeal legislation passed.

2 - Recall elections (as occur in the US)

The World According to Spart

Electoral Reform - Sparty Style

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