The Speaker has fallen - So what’s next. Part 3 - The Australian System
Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard makes his opinion clear
This is more of a point of interest than anything else, but I’ve had a number of long chats with colleagues and friends about the benefits of the Australian Political system that I grew up with and first acquired my love for the cut and thrust of politics - although, to be fair, in Australia, it is more like the punch and head-butt of politics.
But I noticed this article in the Rupert Murdoch owned paper, The Australian, which was published overnight UK time. Essentially, the article describes how “Austalia’s politicians are more accountable than Britain’s”. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25513653-16382,00.html
It goes onto to make a number of key points about the differences in accountability and transparency between the British Westminster system and the Australian Washminster system - a mix between the British and American systems.
Interesting article, enjoy.
Tags: australia, Expenses, murdoch, politics
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Comments (1)
May 21st, 2009 at 11:01 am Posted by Will H
Maybe the fact that UK Parliament has its 800 year heritage, as opposed to more modern systems, means it is very uneasy and fears that if it makes big changes all that dusty tradition and convention could come crashing down.
Parliamentarians and House Officers probably think:
First the Speaker’s wig goes.
Then the House of Lords is elected, not hereditary.
Then people question our whole tradition of Monarchy, Lords and Knights.
They fear one change could bring wholesale change and heritage and tradition will no longer be a defence for our parliamentary system.
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