This book goes to the root of the problem of our party politics; the Party System, its weaknesses and abuses, the domination of Parliament by the Executive, and the hindrances to involvement of concerned people in the serious issues which affect us all.
It includes a discussion of such matters as: Real Representation and Accountability,Industrial Relations, Lobbies and Pressure Groups, Citizen Initiated Referenda, Proportional Representation, Compulsory Voting, Majority Rule, and the question of the Monarchy or a Republic.
Noel Hawken, (while weekly columnist for the Melbourne Herald) once asked:
'Is there a satisfactory revolutionary system for Australia, to bring about revolutionary but peaceful change?'.
This book answers that question.
John Craig, Senior Political Scientist, Deakin University, in reviewing the book commented that should Secret Ballots be adopted IN our parliaments it would change the face of politics - as we know it.
This is where the tussle begins. Those in 'politics' (as we know it) are not likely to relish such a change. It has been well said that change, even for the better, is never easy.
Born in 1922, with early years in Mitcham Victoria, the author is a product of Box Hill High School, Victoria, Australia, a World War II R.A.N.R. destroyer Signalman, and post-war B.Com. (Melb.). After a variety of employment, including nursing and factory work, Accountant and Company Secretary, he spent his final working years as a Companies Tax Officer. Never before involved in 'politics' he became engrossed, after 1975, with the possibility of a Real Democracy by the introduction of the Secret Ballot IN our Houses of Parliament, using a simple, electronic, secret-voting system. This concept is a burning, a cleansing, CHARIOT OF FIRE for our political system.
The author has advocated this vital reform as a candidate, first with the Australian Democrats whose leaders (unlike many in their ranks, but like party leaders generally, and even some Independents (!), inexplicably reject this reform, and as Convenor of a Secret Ballot Party.
This book is devoted to this important reform and democratic advance, at a time when our politicians are spending their energies in fighting each other for power.
To replace party politics, with non-partisan, cooperative parliamentary
government (as e.g. in wartime), we need this simple, but effective reform.
The best is yet to be.