Australia’s democracy is at a dangerous crossroads, confronted like never before by threats to its very integrity and future. The country is wrestling with the challenges of 21st century governance, both directly and indirectly. It needs to respond to the “powder keg of angry, disadvantaged voters” and increasing unrest of its own people. Less than half of Australians think their democracy is heading in the right direction. This dire circumstance demands a rapid response.
Australian democracy was radical experiment in governance. Over the course of the decades since, it has developed into a strong, widespread system. Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra, 40,000 objects. These artifacts beautifully illustrate our nation’s political history and development over time. Even with this legacy, there is no denying that resting on our laurels won’t cut it. The global political landscape is changing and Australia can no longer take for granted that we will be immune from its delivering its consequences.
Compulsory voting, introduced in 1925, has been a major factor in creating the stable and highly competitive politics seen in Australia. We’re pretty excited about the results this system has achieved! Every election since it passed has had over 90% of eligible citizens voting, one of the highest participation rates globally. This has galvanized a young, politically active, passionate electorate. It has resulted in elections that better represent the voters’ will.
The Challenge of Discontent
Trust in Politics According to the 2022 Australian Election Study, just 34% of Australians say they trust political parties. This depressing statistic is a sign of the times and a growing discontentment with the political establishment. The OECD Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions survey also shows a shocking statistic. Australians, for example, are among the least trusting in the world—only 46% have high or moderately high trust in their national government.
These numbers indicate an immediate need for reform and outreach to historically disenfranchised communities. Young Australians, people on low incomes and those from migrant backgrounds have higher rates of non-voting. As Barack Obama pointed out, “The people who tend not to vote are young, they’re lower income, they’re skewed more heavily towards immigrant groups and minority groups.” Failure to address this demographic’s underrepresentation risks throwing the democratic framework into peril.
The experts they spoke with pointed out that there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty about how these trends will play out. Dr. Jill Sheppard noted that when a mere 66% of the electorate votes for established parties like Liberal or Labor—both of which dominate 94% of the House of Representatives—it signals a disconnect between the government and the electorate.
A Historical Perspective
The historical connotations of Australian democracy exposes a beautiful fabric, interlaced with concepts of egalitarianism and citizen involvement. That ballot paper from the 1925 national election, however, remains a potent political symbol. It represents an important inflection point in Australia’s democratic, and specifically Indigenous, journey. Edwin Lawrence Godkin remarked on the uniqueness of this experiment, stating, “The only really democratic experiment, beside our own, going on in the world to-day, is that of the English Australian colonies.”
Australia’s engagement with compulsory voting further highlights the lengths to which they will go to ensure inclusivity in their representative bodies. Proponents contend that such a system helps ensure that the body of elected representatives better reflects the overall will of the electorate. This is echoed by the Australian Electoral Commission, which argues that a compulsory, enforced parliament is more democratic as it reflects the will of the people.
All this proud history does not ensure future success. Together, these factors create a perfect storm of global risks that threaten to erode decades of progress in human development. The World Economic Forum cautions that states and people are more vulnerable than ever to emergent dangers that jeopardize peace.
The Need for Action
As Australia continues to face these threats, so too is the heightened need for new and further initiatives to protect its democratic institutions. Compulsory voting remains a strong pillar. It must be complemented by initiatives aimed at increasing trust in political parties and engagement among all demographics.
With 759k YouTube subscribers, John Anderson Media has a robust digital footprint. It’s a great example of how digital platforms can more meaningfully teach citizens about active democratic participation. These platforms can help re-engage disillusioned voters with the political process. Engrossing in such intimate memories, they create a fresh sense of belonging, intimacy and involvement.
Additionally, there are threats from misinformation and conspiratorial rhetoric that must be combatted. Jeff Pope cautioned about the influence of certain groups on public perception: “Many of these sovereign citizens, or freedom fighters, are besotted with conspiratorial rhetoric that questions the integrity of electoral processes and results.”
