On 23 September 2009, Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, released the second part of the Rudd Government’s consultation process on electoral reform.

A media release about the Green Paper can be found at:

http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2009/mr_382009.html,

and the paper itself is available at:

http://www.pmc.gov.au/consultation/elect_reform/strengthening_democracy/index.cfm

Public comments have been invited and the closing date for such submissions is 27 November 2009.

An online discussion forum will also be open from Monday 9 November to Friday 13 November.

Malcolm Mackerras

The Branch’s AGM was held on Monday 13 July, at 74 Thompson Street, Drummoyne at 7.30 pm. Thanks very much to psephologist and academic, Malcolm Mackerras, who kindly consented to be our Guest Speaker.

Mr Mackerras was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2006 for advocating reforms to the country’s electoral system and encouraging political debate.

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by Stephen Lesslie (Vice President, PRSA (NSW)

The result of the referendum in British Columbia for the introduction of the single transferable vote (STV) system was 39% in favour. This is a disappointing result for those of us who believe that proportional representation and in particular the single transferable vote (STV) is an ideal system.

British Columbia uses single member electorates with first past the post voting. In the past, election results have been badly skewed and have rarely given satisfaction, save to those actually elected.

The British Columbian parliament has an odd idea of democracy. In the previous 2005 referendum, the vote in support of STV was 58%. It was carried in all but two electorates (or ridings). The parliament had, however, decided that STV required 60% support to be carried.

Under pressure from such a strong vote, the proposal was put again to the electorate on May 12, 2009. The parliament also voted to give both the Yes and No campaigns C$500,000 each. This donation enabled the No campaign – which would otherwise have struggled to raise any money – the ability to run a strong negative fear campaign.

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The NSW Branch recommends that the PRSA adopt and promote the model for the election of the House of Representatives and Senate as devised by Stephen Lesslie and laid out in detail on the website lesslie.com.au.

The model incorporates:

1. A Hare-Clark proportional representation system for the election of both the House of Representatives and the Senate
2. Fully optional preferential voting
3. The Robson Rotation
4. The Gregory transfer
5. The abolition of a bove-the-line voting and registered group voting tickets.

The model for the House of Representatives is based on fourteen multi-member electorates which can elect up to 19 members. The current maximum is fifteen members.

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The NSW Branch of the PRSA has adopted the model for the election of the NSW Parliament as devised by Stephen Lesslie and laid out in detail on the website lesslie.com.au.

The model incorporates for both Houses:

1. A Hare-Clark proportional representation system
2. Fully optional preferential voting
3. The Robson Rotation
4. The Gregory transfer
5. Abolition of above-the-line voting and registered group voting tickets.

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The Branch’s AGM was held on 13th October 2008, at 74 Thompson Street, Drummoyne at 7.30 pm.

John Webber and John Alexander have been named honorary life members, moved by John Baglin and passed by popular acclaim at the PRSA (NSW) 2008 AGM. Their life membership is a token of recognition by the committee of many years of service to the society and to the cause of electoral reform in Australia.

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