Political Parties In Australia
Yeah, yeah, I know I’ve done this before already in my old blog. But hey, what can I say, I like politics 
So here’s another ‘more comprehensive’ dose of Aussie politics for you lucky folks out there:
Ahhh… Politics. What an interesting field, don’t you think? Depending on its proponents, it can either stink to high heaven, or it can improve the welfare of a country’s people, or particular minority groups that are being unfairly treated.There are many streams of political thoughts, ranging from conservatism, to liberalism, right through to socialism. But here in Australia, there are currently 6 major political parties that are worth talking about.
Before we start, I think I should first explain a bit about the Australian political system to clear up any confusion that may arise while reading this. The Australian political system is fashioned after the British Westminster parliamentary system, in which the leader of the political party which wins the most seats in the House of Representatives (HoR) (Dewan Rakyat/Lower House) becomes the Prime Minister and the leader of the party with the second most seats in the HoR not in coalition with the winner party becomes the Leader of the Opposition. However, there are a few differences between them. The Senate (Dewan Negara/Upper House) and the senators here plays a much more important role because they are not appointed representatives, but are elected directly by the voters as well, similar to the HoR’s MPs. The Senators here represent the states, while the HoR MPs represent the people. Therefore, the Senate is also usually more than just a rubber stamp for legislations wanting to be passed by the government in Australia, as they can easily be blocked by the opposition parties if the government does not have a majority there. It is also compulsory for all citizens aged 18 years or older to vote here.
Another thing to note is that, unlike Malaysia or Britain, which practices the ‘First Past The Post’ voting system, in which voters only choose one candidate, and the candidate with the most number of votes wins, Australia practices the ‘Preferential’ voting system instead. This works as such: Suppose that there are 3 candidates competing in an election, Candidate A, B and C. Voters list their preference in regards to all three of the available candidates by placing the number ‘1′ for their first preference, ‘2′ for their second preference and ‘3′ for their third preference. The voter’s first preferences are distributed amongst the candidates first, and the candidate with the least number of first preferences votes is then eliminated. This candidate’s, let’s say Candidate C’s, votes are then redistributed to either Candidate A or Candidate B, depending on Candidate C’s voter’s second preferences. This goes on until a winner is declared. This system eliminates the problem of a candidate winning by a slim majority (which therefore means that a sizeable minority do not support him/her) and the winner will instead be the candidate which is most accepted by the voters (because he/she has won the most first/second, etc preferences). Comprehendo?
And now here are Oz’s political parties:
Introducing…. in the right-wing corner….. the Liberal Party!!!
Liberal Party
Homepage
Year formed: 1945
Party ideology: Conservative, neo-liberal, centre-right wing
Current status: In government, in coalition with the National Party
Factions: Wets (conservatives) and Dries (moderates)
Present leader: John Howard (lawyer by profession) - Prime Minister - from the Wets
Duration of reign (of terror) so far: 1996 - present (won 4 general elections (GE) in a row)
Number of HoR seats won in the 04 GE: 74 out of 150
Number of Senate seats won in the 04 GE: 33 out of 76
Number of states won in the last state elections: 0 out of 8 (no states won)
So what heck does this party stand for anyway?: Socially-conservative, free-market economy, increased deregulation of business and government, anti-worker’s union, old people, more emphasis on Christianity and family values, anti-immigration and multiculturalism, pro-detention centres on obscure islands for illegal immigrants, pro-monarchy, pro-paid places in unis, lower taxation for high income earners, favours big businesses, employers, anti-Aboriginal (orang asli here) reconciliation
In a nutshell: A party for rich, religious, old, white Aussies
My 2 cents worth: To put it bluntly, I have no love for this party. I think my dislike mainly stems from the preception that I get from the leaders of this party that most of they are anti-multiculturalism and overtly favours the rich. Johnny Howard, especially during his early years in opposition has clearly stated his racist nature and dislike for the increase in multiculturalism in Australia in his major parliamentary speeches. There used to be a time where the Liberal Party really lived up to its ‘liberal’ tag, but not anymore. John Howard is a staunch social-conservative, and when he got into power, he has gradually pushed out numerous of his more socially-liberal colleagues, and replaced them with his fellow socially-conservative MPs instead. I also don’t like how the Liberal Party is continously providing exorbitant funding to the already rich private schools here, while not giving enough to public ones. I am also especially against this party’s education policy of increasing the paid uni places in the universities here, as I think that this practice unfairly discriminates against the poor but otherwise capable students who would lose out on a place to those rich brats. Unfortunately, this party had the biggest election win in its history in the 04 GE, due to the present good economic conditions, the interest-rates rise scare tactics that it employed to scare voters off voting for Labor, coupled with a divided Labor opposition headed by its inexperienced leader of only 13 months, Mark Latham.
And now… in the left-wing corner… the ALP!
Australian Labor Party (ALP)
Homepage
Year formed: 1891 (oldest party)
Political ideology: Labour, social democracy, centre-left wing
Factions: Left (socialists) and Right (social democrats)
Current status: In opposition
Present leader: Kim Beazley (politician) - Opposition Leader - from the Right
Duration of reign: Elek pochi (lost 4 successive general elections in a row)
Number of HoR seats won in the 04 GE: 60 out of 150
Number of Senate seats won in the 04 GE: 27 out of 76
Number of states won in the last state elections: 8 out of 8 (all states under Labor)
So what does this party stand for anyway?: More emphasis on secularism, more socially-liberal than the Liberal Party, pro-worker’s unions, favours small and medium businesses, pursuit of a better welfare state, pro-immigration and multiculturalism, higher taxation for high income earners, abolishment of fee-paying un places, more funding for public schools, more hospital subsidies, pro-republic, young people and uni students, pro-Aboriginal reconciliation
In a nutshell: A party for the working-class, young, multicultural Aussies
My 2 cents worth: Ever since setting foot in Australia, I have been attracted to this party. Why? Because of their pro stances towards multiculturalism, immigration, increased funding for public schools and the abolishment of fee-paying university places. I don’t know much about their present leader, Kim Beazley, since he only recently took over from Mark Latham last year. But whatever it is, I never took much stock on just a particular politician, as I prefer to vote (in the next elections anyway) on a party basis. This party was also one of the reasons that I finally settled on choosing social democracy as my present political affliation. To me, the Labor Party’s past track record has also shown that it is much more willing to engage with Asia, instead of constantly kowtowing to the USA and the UK. This can be seen by how its past leaders such as Gough Whitlam, who abolished the White Australia Policy and initiated relations with China, and Paul Keating, who wanted Australia to become a part of Asia. Alas, this party experienced its worst federal election result in the last GE elections. This was due to the government’s effective campaign which potrayed Mark Latham as an inexperienced leader who could wreck the present good economic performance, the aforementioned interest-rates rise scare, and the party’s own internal power-jockeying between first Simon Crean and Beazley, and after that, Crean’s protege Mark Latham and Beazley. This disunity has presented the Liberal Party with much ammunition to attack Labor.
And now, in the ulu and petani corner… I present the National Party!
National Party
Homepage
Year formed: 1922
Political ideology: Conservative, right-wing
Current status: In government, in coalition with the Liberal Party
Present leader: Mark Vaile (kangaroo catcher) - Deputy Prime Minister
Duration of reign: 1996 - present (won 4 GEs in coalition with the Liberal Party)
Number of HoR seats won in the 04 GE: 12 out of 150
Number of Senate seats won in the 04 GE: 5 out of 76
Number of states won in the last state elections: 0 out of 8
So what does this party stand for anyway?: Farmer’s welfare, rural area development and funding
In a nutshell: Farmers and rural areas
My 2 cents worth: The National Party is a declining force. It was never a mainstream party, and it is also gradually losing the votes of its traditional support base, the rural folks, as they are increasingly voting for the Liberal Party instead. This is, IMO, just a fringe or interest group party, and I am kinda indifferent to it, to be honest.
Next up, the oh-so-rightous little party that could, The Democrats!!
Australian Democrats
Homepage
Year formed: 1977
Political ideology: Social liberal, centrist
Current status: In opposition
Present leader: Lyn Allison (politician)
Duration of reign: Elek pochi (never won a HoR seat so far)
Number of HoR seats won in the 04 GE: 0 out of 150
Number of Senate seats won in the 04 GE: 4 out of 76
Number of states won in the last state elections: 0 out of 8
So what does this party stand for anyway?: To provide an alternative to the Liberal-Labor choice, to provide a check and balance to the 2 major parties, young and idealistic people, Aboriginal rights, pro-abolishing fee-paying uni places, anti-mandatory detention of illegal immigrants on obscure islands-prisons
In a nutshell: ‘Ex’-powerbroker between the 2 major parties, idealistic, young people, anti-establishment people
My 2 cents worth: This party was formed by a splinter group of MPs from the Liberal Party in the late 70s, with the war cry of ‘Keeping The Bastards Honest’ (gotta love that motto huh? 
with the ‘Bastards’ referring to politicians from the 2 major parties). It is one of the few major parties in Australian politics that allows its MPs the freedom to ‘cross the floor’, or vote against the party’s wishes based on the individual MP’s conscience on particular issues, thus making it one of the most democratic and free parties around. During a decade before the 04 GE, the Democrats held the balance of power in the Senate with 8 seats, and thus making it the kingmaker between Liberal-National and Labor. This was because Liberal-National (the government) did not have the majority in the Senate to pass their policies, and needed the vote of the Democrats senators to do so, while Labor (in opposition) also needed the Democrats to block them. Thus, both parties had to kowtow to the Democrats and amend their policies to suit the Democrat’s stance on various issues. However, the Democrats suffered heavy losses in the recent 04 GE, where their senate seats where cut down from 8 to 4. This was due to the poor leadership of their previous leader, Andrew Bartlett and his drunken antics, and a general swing by voters who wanted an alternative from the Democrats to The Greens. I personally would give my second preference to The Democrats, as I think they’re a kinda cool party and I support many of their policies. I also prefer them to be the kingmakers, as I think their policies are more pragmatic, realistic and ‘useful’ compared to The Greens or, even worse, the Family First Party. Unfortunately, they lost their previous kingmaking powers in the 04 GE with the rise of The Greens, and the suprise win of the Family First Party in the Senate.
And now presenting… the tree-hugging, whale-loving, hippy-ish Greens!!
The Greens
Homepage
Year formed: 1992
Political ideology: Green politics, left-wing
Current status: In opposition
Present leader: Dr. Bob Brown (doctor), openly gay
Duration of reign: Elek pochi (never won a HoR seat so far)
Number of HoR seats won in the 04 GE: 0 out of 150
Number of Senate seats won in the 04 GE: 4 out of 76
Number of states won in the last state elections: 0 out of 8
So what does this party stand for anyway?: Saving the Tasmanian forest, global warming, anti-Iraq war, anti-US Free Trade Agreement, public health, free uni education
In a nutshell: Activists, nature lovers, young people
My 2 cents worth: The Greens was formed at a time when Australians were becoming more aware about the dangers of global warming and deforestation as a result of rapid industrialisation around the world, and especially in Australia. This, along with the voter’s dissatisfaction with The Democrat’s performance, has resulted in The Greens increasing their Senate seats from 2 to 4 in the recent 04 GE. Many people see it as a kind of hippy party, dedicated to free uni education and the environment (which isn’t nessasary a bad thing, btw). It is also the leading advocate for gay and lesbian rights in Australia, as its leader, Dr. Bob Brown, has publicly declared that he’s gay, and not afraid to tell people about it. Apart from fiercely championing for liberal social values and the protection of the environment, The Greens seem to fall short on the economic aspect. They do not have a cohesive set of ideas on how to run the economy, and some of their policies also seem to be in conflict with each other. They have been criticized for trying to be a party for all groups. I am a bit wary of The Greens getting too much power to influence government and Labor’s policy, as I tend to think they are not a very ‘realist’ kind of party. I mean, saving the trees and all is pretty cool, but shouldn’t we be more interested in whether we’ll still be able to get employed when we graduate or whether we can still afford to buy our first house in the future? Thankfully, The Green’s (along with The Democrat’s) hopes of becoming the kingmaker in policy decisions were thwarted by the unexpected win of the Family First Party.
And last but not least, in the far-right wing corner… the newest kid on the block, the Family First Party!
Family First Party
Homepage
Year formed: 2002
Political ideology: Christian-influenced conservatism
Current status: In opposition, but pro-Liberal Party (government sympathiser)
Present leader: Steve Fielding (sole senator in the Senate)
Duration of reign: Elek pochi (first senator elected in the Senate in the 04 GE)
Number of HoR seats won in the 04 GE: 0 out of 150
Number of Senate seats won in the 04 GE: 1 out of 76
Number of states won in the last state elections: 0 out of 8
So what does this party stand for anyway?: Christianity, family values
In a nutshell: God
My 2 cents worth: Family First burst onto the Australian federal political scene in the 04 GE. Some comentators have said that there is a possiblity that Australian voters did not know much about this party but gave them their second or third preferences anyway because they had a family. Because it freakishly won it’s first senate seat, and both The Democrats and The Greens won 4 seats each thus cancelling each other out in terms of kingmaking powers, the Family First Party (FFP) suprisingly found themselves in the envious position of being a kingmaker. Because of the Liberal Party’s conservative stance, it was assumed that the FFP would be a natural ally to it, and this was proven true when the FFP decided to support the government in passing its policies through the Senate, thus giving the government a working majority of 1 seat (33 (LP) + 5 (NP) + 1 (FFP) = 39) more than the 38 seats (which is half of the Senate). In return, the FFP has ensured that Christianity will play a more major role in the government’s policy implementation, and bringing the government even more towards the right.
In conclusion:
Australia has a very robust political system, for a relatively young one. Throughout its history, federal power has always been won through a majority in the HoR alternately between the Labor Party and the Liberal-National Party coalition. However, even though these three parties are the only ones that are capable of winning seats in the HoR, the Senate presents an altogether different story. Minor parties such as The Democrats and The Greens have historically had much more success in getting elected to the Senate, and the public uses them as checks to the 2 juggernaut parties. Thus, even though they may be small, minor parties such as them have had a substantial impact in Australia’s political scene. I personally am quite content with Australia’s present political scene as I am of the opinion that it caters to a wide range of different political ideologies that the average Australian can subscribe to and identify with. The Australian voters are also quite an intelligent bunch. They try to avoid giving the government a majority in the Senate to preserve their right to object to any dubious government policies, and they also play the state governments against the federal government. This can most clearly be seen in how all 8 of Australia’s states are under Labor, even though Liberal forms the federal government. Again, this is to curb any abuse of power or corruption by both parties by constantly keeping them on their toes with the threat of swinging to the alternative parties anytime the voters feel suitably discontent about a particular issue or service from a party. However, after the 04 GE, the voters have given the Liberal-National Party coalition unprecedented control of both the HoR and the Senate, with a total of 74 + 12 = 86 (over the 76 seats needed to obtain a majority) HoR seats and 33 + 5 + 1 (support from the Family First Party’s sole senator) = 39 (equal to the 39 seats needed to obtain a majority) which means that the opposition parties can no longer block any government laws and legislations. This means that the current Liberal Party MPs are one of the most powerful in Australian political history. Overall, the Australian political scene is a stable and vibrant one, and this bodes well for the future of Australia’s democracy.
So now, after all that, which party do you support?
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