Factional strife could end

Australia's single-member electoral system is the cause of unsavoury factional struggles in the major parties.

That system has resulted in the two-party dominance because minor parties and Independents have very little chance of being elected.

Varied public interests are compelled to seek expression and dominance within the major parties with the ultimate aim of forming Government.

Naturally, such a Government is then rarely an expression of the democratic will.

The unhealthy necessity to maintain an often dubious front of unity and solidarity over a broad range of public policy areas, applicable to both major parties, can be avoided by introducing proportional representation.

Such a reform would turn the major party factions into (smaller) independent political parties whose representatives would be transparent in the Parliament.

It would also encourage new entrants.

These could form more flexible coalitions to gain a parliamentary majority and form Government.

Quite apart from the very many other advantages proportional representation has over single-district electoral systems, the factional skulduggery, internecine strife, stacking of branches and back stabbing would come to an end.

It would start to raise the very low, low status of Australia's politicians and the voting public might take a greater interest in elections.

Proportional representation is the electoral system in some 25 European countries, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa.

Note that is of Australian origin.

Could somebody turn on the lights here?

Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach