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Political Party

An association of people who seek to influence law-making and gain political power through election to parliament.

Political parties are formed around shared ideological beliefs and have a broad policy focus.

 

Major Parties

A political party capable of winning a majority of seats in the House of Representatives and forming government.

• Australian Labor Party (ALP)

• Liberal Party of Australia

 

Characteristics of Major Parties

• Distinct political philosophy/ideology

• Comprehensive policy platform

• Broad support base

• Ability to contest most parliamentary seats

Minor Parties

A political party capable of winning seats in parliament but not capable of forming government in its own right.

Eg. Greens, National Part

What can minor parties do?

Minor parties may:

• Form a coalition with larger parties (e.g. Nationals)

• Hold the balance of power in the Senate (e.g. Greens)

They often gain representation in the Senate due to proportional representation.

Micro Parties

A political party that is unlikely to win multiple parliamentary seats and usually focuses on a narrow range of issues.

Micro parties rarely gain long-term representation but may occasionally hold the balance of power in the Senate.

Usually focus on a small number of specific issues important to a particular group of voters.

Motoring Enthusiast Party

ALP Ideology

• Social democracy.

• Greater government involvement to promote fairness and equality.

• Strong support for workers' rights and public services.

Libs Ideology

• Liberal economic policies (free market, lower taxes, private enterprise).

• Conservative social values.

Greens Ideology

• Environmental protection

• Climate action

• Social justice

• Human rights

• Sustainable development

Nats Ideology

• Focus on agriculture, regional development and farming interests

Pauline Ideology

• Supports stricter immigration policies.

• Emphasises Australian nationalism.

• Advocates reduced government bureaucracy.

• Often critical of globalisation and multiculturalism.

ALP and Labor both agree on

• Free-market economy → Most businesses operate privately (e.g. Woolworths and BHP compete in the market).

• Welfare safety net → Government support such as the Age Pension, JobSeeker, or NDIS.

• Support for the US alliance → ANZUS Treaty and AUKUS agreement.

• International organisations → Australia participates in the UN, G20, WTO, and APEC.

• Commitment to democracy → Regular federal elections where Australians vote for their representatives.

What Alp and libs differ

• Role of government → Labor supports more government involvement (e.g. Medicare expansion), Liberals support less (e.g. privatisation of some government services).

• Taxation → Labor is more willing to raise revenue for services (e.g. changes to taxation on high-income earners), Liberals often support income tax cuts.

• Welfare and social services → Labor supports greater spending (e.g. increasing funding for public schools and hospitals), Liberals focus more on limiting government spending.

• Industrial relations → Labor supports trade unions (e.g. industrial relations reforms strengthening worker protections), Liberals support greater workplace flexibility for businesses.

• Climate change → Labor supports renewable energy investment (e.g. Rewiring the Nation and renewable energy targets), Liberals have generally been more supportive of the gas and mining industries while pursuing a more gradual transition.

Party Discipline

Requires that party members support their party in parliament

Party Discipline effect on lower house

1. The party stays in government because its majority is guaranteed and

2. It wins every vote in the lower house

 

The results in executive dominance of the House of Representatives

It’s legislative process, its procedures and business are all at the will of the governing party

Independent MP

A member of parliament who is not a member of a political party

Independent Example

 Zali Steggall who represents the seat of Warringah

Independents HoR

Currently there are 10 independents in the House of Representatives

2 party system

political arrangement where two major, dominant political parties consistently control the majority of seats in the legislature