Chief Executive Officers Page

We are watching and waiting.

Is the result of the recent federal election a sign of things to come or a one off aberration in the political landscape of the country? The term “minority government” is not one commonly used in Australian politics, particularly at the federal level over the last sixty years. It has, however, received greater exposure at the state and territory level and is currently in operation in a number of jurisdictions right now, including the Northern Territory.

For many Territorians there is almost a sense of Déjà vu in a lot of the media commentary surrounding the current federal situation. After all, twelve months ago the ALP government in the Territory did a deal with the independent candidate for Nelson, Gerry Wood, to retain power after the defection to the cross benches of Cabinet Minister Alison Anderson over the federal intervention and Indigenous housing program. Media commentary revolved around two main issues. What would Gerry want from the Government in return for his support and how long would the arrangement last?

Although there have been some interesting moments in the last twelve months the current Territory situation appears to be as strong and as stable as it was twelve months ago and the speculation about early elections has died right down. In many peoples view it might not be a perfect situation but it is one that our elected officials have come to understand better and tolerate more comfortably over time. For the business community it has been business as usual although the focus on process rather than outcome by the Territory bureaucracy is annoying at times and down right obstructionist at others.

At all levels of Australian politics there have always been a number of minor parties and the existence of the political independent goes back to when Adam was a boy. The emergence of the three dominant parties, Labor, Liberal and National after the Second World War and the coalescence of the Liberals and Nationals into the Coalition has meant that there has been two major political forces in the land and not until the emergence of the Australian Democrats and Don Chipp in 1977 was there any real competition to the two party system in this country. As part of his resignation speech from the Liberal Party Don Chipp stated “I have become disenchanted with party politics as they are practised in this country and with the pressure groups which have an undue influence on the major political parties. The parties seem to polarise on almost every issue, sometimes seemingly just for the sake of it, and I wonder if the ordinary voter is not becoming sick and tired of the vested interests which unduly influence political parties and yearns for the emergence of a third political force, representing middle-of-the-road policies which would owe allegiance to no outside pressure group. Perhaps it may be the right time to test that proposition.”

In recent years Australian voters have demonstrated a growing awareness of and preference for independents and minor parties, particularly when they wish to demonstrate their frustration with the major political forces, Labor and the Coalition. In many respects there was a certain inevitability that the eventual outcome of a federal election would be that neither major party could achieve a clear majority and that to assume power would require the support of either a minor party or parties or certain independent individuals. Such is the case from the 2010 Federal election.

Does a “minority government” necessarily mean one that is ineffective or unstable? There are those who would answer that question with a resounding yes while there are others who would just as vehemently disagree. Is that not the democratic process? Since 1945 any number of countries around the world have operated with minority governments in power. Some were quite successful while others have been abject failures. There does not appear to be any particular formula that works as each situation tends to be unique and it really falls to the parties involved to make it work for them and their electorate. A good measure of trust appears to assist in the process.

The outcome of the 2010 Federal election is not yet clear. The “Greens”, a minor party, have gained representation for the first time in the lower house and will hold the balance of power in the Senate after 1 July 2011. For either major party to assume government will require an “arrangement” with the political independents in the lower house to achieve that all important majority vote of 76. With the Green candidate already announcing that they will support the ALP (inevitable and expected) it is that all important block of four independents that must be decided and then agreed with to provide the necessary majority to form government. The alternative does not bear thinking about and would result in a truly ineffective form of government, without stability or clear direction.

Our federal politicians and particularly the leadership are going to have their work cut out for them. Can they act in a responsible and mature manner to reach agreement and then get on with the actual governance of the country? If not, we are going to see all that is negative about the democratic process over the ensuring period. It is possible for a minority government to be effective and then govern properly? Do our elected representatives have the strength of character and ability to achieve this outcome? We are watching and waiting.



Chris Young
Chief Executive


Previous Messages:

Edition 12 - June 2010
Edition 11 - Mar 2010
Edition 10 - Jan 2010
Edition 9 - Oct 2009
Edition 8 - May 2009
Edition 7 - Jan 2009
Edition 6 - Dec 2008
Edition 5 - Sept 2008
Edition 4 - Aug_2008
Edition 2 - May_2008
Edition 1 - Jan_2008