Use your vote twice

The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) encourages voters to use both of their two federal votes, one for the House of the Representatives and one for the Senate.

Major party voters should decouple these votes and thereby increase their impact.

Last year the Prime Minister embarked on a campaign to reduce the power of the Senate but voters have little sympathy for such attempts.

At election time, voters have every opportunity to further strengthen the Senate whatever their vote in the lower house.

By decoupling their two votes, they can strengthen democracy and improve legislation.

Given the look-alike nature of the major parties, the Senate often operates as the only real Opposition in our National Parliament.

This role should be encouraged.

Mark Latham's ALP Government promises to continue with the "economic rationalist" public policies which we have consistently condemned.

A check on this trend would serve Australia well.

PLP Senators will help to protect public ownership and services, and the public service itself. Representing a party completely independent of the ALP they will ensure that election promises are kept, the role of unions promoted and workplace democracy enhanced.

They would also initiate legislation themselves.

Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach