29
Lawrence Road,
Point
Lonsdale, Vic 3225
Wednesday,
July 21, 2004
Peter McMullin
Labor Candidate for Corangamite
Dear Peter:
Thankyou for your modestly produced letter to the
voters of this electorate. I note your emphasis upon giving voters a credible
choice. This letter is to share my dilemma as a voter and I limit it to one
side of A4 to be brief. I will welcome further discussion either before or
after the election. In the meantime, please forgive the appearance of
presumptuous advice giving.
"Cutting to the chase" - how would I
view my vote if I gave Labor my first preference? I would join with 44% of
voters who did likewise. I would also be aware that my vote was an implicit
endorsement of a voting regimen that "elbows out" from any
Parliamentary representation those who, by political viewpoint, are not aligned
with the two major electoral machines. So I judge that to vote Labor in this
context, Labor would have to commit itself to electoral reform (ie a
post-election coalition with the Greens). To vote Labor when such a commitment
has not been given is simply to endorse the injustices of the current system of
representation. So, we need genuine open debate about the representation needs
of the 12-15% of citizens (modest estimate) who, by conscience, cannot vote for
either major machine. I don't see that among any of the policies being thrashed
around by Coalition or Opposition. To vote Labor is to be in support of a Parliamentary
party that gains 55% of Parliamentary seats from 44% of first preferences.
Political representation should involve
consideration of proposals to reform our system of Parliamentary
representation. Has there ever been a time in our nation's history when it was
more important for all citizens to feel that just representation to Government
for their bona fide political views is within reach?
I'm not saying, Peter, that I won't vote for
you because I don't agree with you about electoral reform. In fact I don't know
what your views are on this. But I have to find it hard to vote for any Labor
Party candidate, because Labor fails to develop an "up front"
criticism of the injustice implicit in the current electoral system. Labor
avoids the issue of electoral justice. The Liberal and National Parties are no
better. Our system of Parliamentary representation is quite undemocratic and
the spurious rules that govern the filling out of valid ballot papers is one
small but significant part of it. Sure, our political culture retains
semblances of liberal and social democracy, but our system of political
representation is too close to a two-party dictatorship for my liking and many
fellow (non-Liberal) citizens accept this too. This "dictatorship",
as you know, is maintained these days by public funding for election campaigns.
Both sides of politics piously bleat on about "fair competition" but
they do not submit the rules that govern the ballot paper to the National
Competition Council for a judgment as to whether they are "fair." But
where is the debate? The ballot paper rules symbolize a deeper problem that
isn't being addressed.
So the long-term question is about how to work
towards a just system of Parliamentary representation. All citizens should be
represented justly and all voters without exception should be able to
cast a conscientious vote. At the moment in the Federal Electorate of
Corangamite a conscientious vote for all voters is not possible. It is a matter
of law and reform. "Southern States" need to consider Queensland's
"optional preferential ballot"; the mainland needs to learn from
Tasmania. Our Commonwealth needs to find the maturity to admit that New Zealand
is ahead of us.
Because of the shonky ballot paper rules, too
many voters are forced (by your party, and the other mob) to forego conscience
in the casting of a valid vote. They don't want to vote informal but are forced
to choose between parties which continue to exhibit forms of political
self-interest that are incompatible with their own views. Until Labor openly
addresses this its right to public funding has not been demonstrated.
You will appreciate I am not trying to minimise
the difficulties, "score points" or call down a plague. This is
simply an outline of some conscientious difficulties I face if I were to
vote Labor. Why should I be party to a system of representation that squeezes
out representation for minorities? That squeeze is produced by Labor and the
Coalition, as they jockey for second-last place on the ballot paper. Voters are
forbidden to not vote for either. What are they scared of? Dismal. Pathetic.
Labor should publicly join forces with those who seek a just system and a
ballot paper which respects conscience.
All the best in the election campaign. And I do
hope Australia can get beyond the political immaturity we have suffered at
least since 1996.
Bruce C Wearne