Share

Originally published in On Line Opinion on September 12, 2013

Australia has listened, it has voted and it has decided.

Australia wants political arrangements ‘other’ than what the major parties intended.

It’s not what Sophie Mirabella expected before being ‘outgunned’ by the independent forces of Cathy McGowan and Tony Windsor.

It’s not what ALP faceless man, Don Farrell, expected when he gave up his number one SA Senate position to Penny Wong.

And it’s not what PM-elect Tony Abbott expected when he warned voters away from independents and minor parties.

Related documents

Attachment

Between the Lines Newsletter

The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.

You might also like

The election exposed weaknesses in Australian democracy – but the next parliament can fix them

by Bill Browne

Australia has some very strong democratic institutions – like an independent electoral commission, Saturday voting, full preferential voting and compulsory voting. These ensure that elections are free from corruption; that electorate boundaries are not based on partisan bias; and that most Australians turn out to vote. They are evidence of Australia’s proud history as an