Book pleads for system change

Pearl Beach resident Mr Klaas Woldring has published an electronic book entitled Australia Reconstructed: Bold steps to improve voter representation and the political landscape.

The book is a plea for system change in Australia, referring to the various systems that underpin and shape governance.

The main thesis of the book is that the need for much greater diversity, democracy, fairness and cooperation between parties in the Parliament is not served by a continuation of the current two-party system.

"In the recent federal election, none of the issues I raise in my book have received any attention by the major parties," said Mr Woldring.

"This by itself throws up a big problem.

"These parties clearly steer away from them although they are very real.

"In particular, the Senate election, based on the Hare-Clark version of proportional representation, while reflecting massive disenchantment with the major parties, also presents a messy outcome in combination with the rest of the Westminster political system as well as with the federal system.

"Australia should start a debate of these system problems," said Mr Woldring.

Email, 9 Sep 2013

Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach