News Release
		2001 News Releases index
Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council		Electoral Reform News

The Australian Democrats today detailed their position on parliamentary reform in the lead up to the next state election.

The Democrats’ plan would increase public input in legislation, remove immature point scoring from question time, radically reform lower house electorates and make other changes to foster democracy and accountability in state parliament.

"It is time politicians realised that parliament is seen as a rabble where a lot of games are played, but where the wishes of everyday South Australians are ignored," Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, said today.

"The two major political parties and the powerful factional bosses within them must accept that they are responsible for this situation.

"There are clear solutions to the massive public disenchantment with existing political processes, but currently these solutions do not stand a chance against the party factional overlords who fight tooth and nail to keep power to themselves.

"The Democrats plan would help wrench power back from the factions.

• "Firstly, our plan would improve the making of new laws by sending all legislation to a Standing Committee before coming into the parliament at the same time giving an opportunity for public input.
• "Secondly, our plan proposes that parliaments rules change so that Ministers must answer questions in Question Time.
• "Thirdly, the Speaker and President would be non members of parliament elected by a two thirds majority of each house making the positions more independent.
• "Fourthly, our plan would enhance the Upper House as a ‘house of review’ by removing Ministers effectively freeing members from party political ties.
• "Fifthly, our plan would remove the ‘winner takes all’ single member system which is manipulated by the factions and replace it with a multi-member system using the ‘Robson’s Rotation’ method for ballot papers.
• "Finally, we would consider other changes to the Legislative Council on the condition that the safeguards to democracy highlighted above are accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Mike Elliott

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