Australia's political system case studies

Question 1

Representation: undermined and upheld

Answer 1

Upheld:
In 2019, Jacquie Lambie agreed to vote in favour of the Government’s $158 million tax cut in exchange for the waiving of Tasmania’s $150 million housing debt. This also allows Tasmania to build 30 new houses every year.
Undermined:
In August 2021, the Party Registration Integrity Bill passed, raising the registration number of party members from 500 to 1500, it could deregister 30 out of 44 parties, thus limiting opportunity for representation.

Question 2

Participation: undermined and upheld

Answer 2

Upheld:
91.9% of Australians vote, one of the highest voter turnouts in the world
Undermined:
In August 2021, the Party Registration Integrity Bill passed which raised the registration number of party members from 500 to 1500, it could deregister 30 out of 44 parties, thus limiting opportunity for participation.

Question 3

Protection of democratic rights and freedoms: undermined and upheld

Answer 3

Upheld:
In 2018, the High Court recognised that in Love and Thoms v Commonwealth, Aboriginal Australians who are born overseas cannot be described as ‘aliens’ under s. 51 of the constitution, despite the decision of the Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, cancelling the visas of Thom and Love under the Migration Act (1958).
Undermined:
Sydney’s 2021 lockdowns saw two sets of public health order rules: In southwest and western Sydney, suburbs such as Bankstown and Fairfield must contend with a military presence on their streets, no outdoors recreation and exercise for only one hour a day. There are curfews in place, despite the New South Wales government acknowledging there is no solid public health evidence that they make any difference. These restrictions, meanwhile, are not in place for people in affluent, coastal suburbs such as Bondi and Fairlight.