The Established Parties Strike Back

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Other Title
  • 既存政党の逆襲
  • 既存政党の逆襲 : オーストラリア連邦上院の選挙制度改革
  • キソン セイトウ ノ ギャクシュウ : オーストラリア レンポウ ジョウイン ノ センキョ セイド カイカク
  • オーストラリア連邦上院の選挙制度改革
  • Reforming the Senate electoral system in Australia

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Abstract

Australia's upper house, the Senate, has almost identical legislative power with the House of Representatives. The Senate has the blocking power even against the appropriation bills. Therefore, the electoral systems for the Senate have played crucial role for the functioning of the government formed by a party/coalition of parties that commands majority in the House of Representatives. This paper traces changes to the Senate electoral systems. The current system, operated since 1984, has produced the 2013 half Senate election result in which several Senators were successful no other reason but by an accident, a good luck, some kind of lottery or, worse, manipulation. Such a result has prompted a call for reform and multiparty Joint Standing committee produced unanimous report for the reform in May 2014. Despite this, no legislative action has yet to be taken. This paper analyses the reform proposal and seeks the reasons behind the proposal and delay/inaction.

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