participation by individuals, pressure groups + political parties

participation in the electoral process

• democracies represent differences by enabling PP

• has capacity to impact directly/indirectly upon representation

individual participation

• voting in elections

• running as an independent candidate in an election

• working for electoral commissions

• initiating court cases

• other forms of political action

collective individual participation

• joining/supporting political parties

• joining/supporting pressure groups

voting in elections

• guaranteed by ss 4 and 27 of the cx

  • ensures members of HoR and Senate are directly chosen by people

• 2019 fed election had enrolment rate of 96.8%

• upholds principles of RD

candidature as an independent

• individual often choose to run as independents

• more often unsuccessful unless they have high profile

working for electoral commissions

• individuals can work for AEC or state commissions during periods of elections, by-elections or referenda

• must be non-partisan/apolitical

• reinforces confidence in integrity or democratic process

• provides assurance that votes are counted + recorded according to rules of that electoral system

initiating court cases

• protects individual rights + freedoms or uphold principles of an LD + fair elections

• individuals can only initiate court case if they have standing grounds to take action due to being affected by alleged wrong

• demonstrates power of individual to affect electoral process

• eg. Vicki Lee Roach v Electoral Commissioner (2007) (LOOK IN BOOK)

other political action

• individuals can directly contact MPs via phone calls, emails etc to express prominent issues in the community

• can make submissions to Cth Prlt / committees / AEC when reviewing electorate boundaries

political parties

• primary goal is to be elected to a HoP —> form govt./play a role in legislative process

• majors can achieve majority in HoR

• minors can win seats in upper + lower and exercise influence through votes

• undertake all possible actions to encourage citizen participation in their party + to vote for them @ elections

participation by political parties

• candidature (as a partisan)

• parliamentary strategies

• preference guidance + affiliations

• campaign strategies

• court cases

candidature (as partisan)

• promotion through party ranks can lead to being pre-selected as candidate

• can participate in elections

• have chance to be elected to a house of prlt as a partisan rep

parliamentary strategies

• parties w representation in cwth prlt. can use power + influence to try and amend electoral laws + procedures that govern elections

• all parties have sought + continue to seek influence on electoral syst. to improve integrity or allow it to act in their favour

• eg. Liberal National MP David Coleman introduced PMB for fixed four year terms in HoR as it would give govt. more time to carry out agenda + reforms (2017)

preference guidance + affiliations

campaign strategies

• parties seek to engage in community prior + during election campaigns

• methods include:

  • advertising

  • social media

  • direct (community engagement - door knocking/community events)

  • policy announcements

court cases

• parties use legal action to prevent changes in legislative + electoral processes

• eg. Day v Australian Electoral Officer for State of SA & Anor (2016)

Day v Australian Electoral Officer for State of SA & Anor (2016)

• family first senator Bob Daley

• challenged validity of 2016 amendments

• believed they provided for ways of voting that were contract to ss 7 and 24

• believed they impaired the freedom of political communication

• amendments upheld by HC

pressure groups

• similar to political parties

• use strategies of raising awareness, influencing, media persuasion + coercion

• goal is to represent members, influence electors —> influence election outcome

getup!

• internet based pressure group

• > 1M members

• values

  • environmental justice

  • human rights

  • economic + fairness

  • democratic integrity

• has capability to organise mass media campaigns

participation by pressure groups

• electoral pressure

• court action

electoral pressure

• involves PGs informing community about issues concerning them in lead up/during election

• takes place through marginal seat/advertising campaigns

marginal seat/advertising campaigns

• influences how electors perceive candidates + PPs

• impacts who is elected + which parties form govt

• can also result in policy announcements by PPs to address concerns raised by PGs

• eg. GetUp! unseated Liberal MP Andrew Nikolai after advertising cuts on healthcare and renewable energy

court action

• can take court action to achieve their aims

• eg. Rowe v Electoral Commissioner 2010

Rowe v Electoral Commissioner 2010

• in relation to amendment of Cwth Electoral Act

• Howard govt decreased time period for election enrolment to day of writ issue

• also shortened available time to alter enrolment

• initiated + funded by GetUp

• amendments found uncxal by HC and reverted to pre-amendment state