Voter apathy was seen again in our recent elections, certainly due to disillusionment among the electorate, who find it increasingly difficult to have a meaningful say in electing representatives in various levels of government. The defective first-past-the-post electoral system is a key part of their disillusionment, along with some politicians who will say anything to get elected or to block desperately needed changes.
sa国际传媒 is undertaking a third referendum on modernizing our democracy by implementing a system of proportional representation. For those who are willing to put voters鈥� interests ahead of their own, PR is an attempt to give all voters an elected representative to take part in their government.
Opponents will claim that PR was soundly rejected in 2005 despite the fact it had 58 per cent support. It鈥檚 strange to see opponents reject that affirmative vote while legitimizing false majority governments elected by 40 per cent or less of those voting.
That鈥檚 not the only questionable position of the anti-PR voices. When faced with the desperate failings of FPTP, they still claim it works well. That鈥檚 because FPTP is the only possible way for a minority to dictate to the majority.
Instead, we鈥檝e had a stable alliance government representing the views of a true majority (57 per cent of those who voted), collaborating and co-operating with civility. Strange that opponents question that majority position鈥檚 legitimacy while claiming we need to keep FPTP. 鈥淐onsider the source鈥� when you see the outrageous claims seeking to rile up voters.
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Mark Jeffers
Victoria
