The end of phoney adversarialism

Senator Faulkner and Peter Reith have argued the case for democratising the major parties.

If that is possible at all, who wants to wait for it, many may well ask?

Australia is essentially governed by a very small group of often mediocre career politicians.

It is interesting to read a key value expressed by Faulkner: "In a healthy democracy, all voices are heard."

Sure, but they are no longer heard within the major parties and they are not heard in most Parliaments either.

Commentators already consider the chances of reform within these parties quite slim.

The democratic voices are heard increasingly in community groups and in the social media.

The rise of Independents is a further adjustment.

In terms of diverse representation in Parliaments, proportional representation is the natural and obvious remedy here, steadfastly and deliberately avoided by the major party executives.

Leadership in this case must go well beyond the internal organisation of major parties but where is that leadership?

Voters will increasingly look to Independent candidates and small parties.

The era of tweedledee, tweedledum and phoney adversarialism is coming to an end.

Good news for diversity in representation and the emergence of real change and progress.

Email, 14 Jun 2011 Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach