DOCSLIB.ORG

House of Representatives By-Elections 1902-2002

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
House of Representatives By-Elections 1902-2002 INFORMATION, ANALYSIS AND ADVICE FOR THE PARLIAMENT INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SERVICES Current Issues Brief No. 15 2002–03 House of Representatives By-elections 1901–2002 DEPARTMENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY ISSN 1440-2009 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2003 Except to the extent of the uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written consent of the Department of the Parliamentary Library, other than by Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official duties. This paper has been prepared for general distribution to Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament. While great care is taken to ensure that the paper is accurate and balanced, the paper is written using information publicly available at the time of production. The views expressed are those of the author and should not be attributed to the Information and Research Services (IRS). Advice on legislation or legal policy issues contained in this paper is provided for use in parliamentary debate and for related parliamentary purposes. This paper is not professional legal opinion. Readers are reminded that the paper is not an official parliamentary or Australian government document. IRS staff are available to discuss the paper's contents with Senators and Members and their staff but not with members of the public. Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library, 2003 I NFORMATION AND R ESEARCH S ERVICES Current Issues Brief No. 15 2002–03 House of Representatives By-elections 1901–2002 Gerard Newman, Statistics Group Scott Bennett, Politics and Public Administration Group 3 March 2003 Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Murray Goot, Martin Lumb, Geoff Winter, Jan Pearson, Janet Wilson and Diane Hynes in producing this paper. Enquiries Information and Research Services publications are available on the ParlInfo database. On the Internet the Department of the Parliamentary Library can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/library/ IRS Publications Office Telephone: (02) 6277 2778 Contents Major Issues ........................................................ 1 Contests ......................................................... 1 Causes .......................................................... 1 Outcomes ........................................................ 2 The organisation of Commonwealth by-elections ............................. 3 The reasons why by-elections have been held .............................. 3 The timing of by-elections............................................ 4 Vacancies for which no by-election was held 1901–2002 ................... 5 Number of nominations.............................................. 6 Candidates per by-election ......................................... 6 Voter turnout ..................................................... 7 Party performance .................................................... 8 Seats lost at by-elections 1901–2002 .................................... 8 Impact upon party................................................ 8 Impact upon Government/Opposition ................................. 9 Party performance at by-elections 1901–2002 ........................... 9 By-elections caused by resignation—safeness of seat 1949–2002 ............ 10 Analysing by-election swings since 1949 ................................ 10 Average swings against government: by-elections 1949–2002............... 11 Two-party preferred swings, By-elections 1949–2002..................... 12 Personal and political matters........................................... 13 The changing of the old guard ........................................ 13 Future Prime Ministers ............................................. 13 The passing of Prime Ministers ....................................... 13 The passing of leaders of the Opposition ................................ 14 Family matters ................................................... 14 Famous entries into the House ........................................ 14 Kicked upstairs? .................................................. 15 A matter of treason ................................................ 16 By-elections that caused ripples ....................................... 16 Voided elections .................................................. 17 Endnotes ......................................................... 17 Appendix 1: Schedule of House of Representatives By-elections, 1901–2002 ........ 19 Appendix 2: Electoral division details..................................... 22 First past the post electoral system ................................... 22 Preferential voting electoral system .................................. 24 Appendix 3: Notes on Commonwealth by-elections ........................... 41 Appendix 4: By-election timing ......................................... 52 Appendix 5 ........................................................ 55 General studies ................................................... 55 Case studies ..................................................... 55 Commonwealth ................................................ 55 State ........................................................ 55 Party Abbreviations AAP Advance Australia Party ILCL Independent Liberal Country AC Australian Constitutionalist League AFI Australians Against Further ILib Independent Liberal Immigration INat Independent Nationalist ALP Australian Labor Party Ind Independent ANAG Australian National Action Group LFF Liberals for forests AntiSoc Anti-Socialist Lib Liberal Party AP Australia Party LibF Liberal Forum APPG Australian Pensioner Pressure LLab Lang Labor Group LP Liberal Party AR Australian Republican LRG Liberal Reform Group ARM Australian Reform Movement NA National Alliance ASP Australian Shooters Party NAP New Australian Party Atok Atokist Nat Nationalist CDP Christian Democratic Party NCPP Non-Custodial Parents Party CEC Citizens Electoral Council NGST No GST Party Com Communist Party NHP National Humanitarian Party Cons Conservative NLP Natural Law Party Const Constitutionalist NP National Party CP Country Party NSP National Socialist Party CRep Constitutional Republican PCP Progressive Conservative Party CTA Call to Australia PORP Property Owners’ Rights Party Dem Australian Democrats PP Progress Party DLP Democratic Labor Party Prot Protectionist DOGS Council for the Defence of ProtLab Protestant Labor Government Schools RARI Reclaim Australia: Reduce DSP Deadly Serious Party Immigration EcRef Economic Reform RPA Republican Party of Australia FLP Federal Labor Party RSNP Returned Soldiers National Party FLR Family Law Reform Party SA Socialist Alliance FP Farmers' Party SC Social Credit FPA Federal Party of Australia SLib State Liberal FST Australia First Party Soc Socialist FT Free Trade SPA Socialist Party of Australia Grn Greens SWP Socialist Workers' Party Gry Grey Power TA Taxpayers' Association GWA The Greens (WA) UAP United Australia Party HAN Pauline Hanson's One Nation UM Uninflated Movement HMP Help End Marijuana Prohibition Unite Unite Australia Party HPA Hope Party Australia UTG United Tasmanian Group ICP Independent CP UWU Unemployed Workers Union ILab Independent Labor VFU Victorian Farmers' Union VOTE Voice of the Elderly House of Representatives By-elections 1901–2002 Major Issues By-elections are held to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives. This paper gives details of by-elections held from the first for Darling Downs on 14 September 1901 to the most recent held on 19 October 2002 for Cunningham. Among the major points made in the paper: Contests • Since September 1901 there have been 140 by-elections, an average of 3.5 per parliament. • The number of contestants has grown over the years from 2.2 per by-election (1901–18) to 8.7 per by-election (1990–2002). • In only four cases (2.9 per cent) was a by-election contested by just a single candidate. • An increasing tendency has been for governments to avoid contesting by-elections in their opponents' safe seats. Since 1990 this has occurred in 10 of the 18 by-elections held. • In only seven cases (5 per cent) has the Opposition party failed to contest a by-election, the most recent case being Bradfield in 1952. Causes • Sixty-seven (47.9 per cent) of the by-elections occurred because of the death of the member, 67 (47.9 per cent) as the result of the resignation of the member, five (3.6 per cent) because of voided elections, and one (0.7 per cent) because of the expulsion of the Member from the House (Kalgoorlie 1920). • Since 1949 most by-elections have been caused by the resignation of the sitting member and have occurred in safe seats. Only eight of 52 by-elections in this period (15.4 per cent) have occurred in marginal seats. 1 House of Representatives By-elections 1901–2002 Outcomes • On 34 occasions (24.3 per cent) the party complexion of a seat has altered at a by- election. • Twenty-four of these (17.1 per cent) have been in seats lost by the government of the day. The most recent case was the loss of Ryan by the Coalition Government to Labor in 2001. • Four of the losses (2.9 per cent) have been by the Opposition of the day. The most recent case was the loss of Cunningham by Labor to the Greens in 2002. • The average two-party preferred swing against the government of the day has been 4.0 per cent, while the average swing in government-held seats was 5.0 per cent
Load more

Recommended publications
  • QLD Senate Results Report 2017
    Statement of Results Report Event: 2016 Federal Election - Full Senate Ballot: 2016 Federal Election - Full Senate Order Elected Candidates Elected Group Name 1 George BRANDIS Liberal National Party of Queensland 2 Murray WATT Australian Labor Party 3 Pauline HANSON Pauline Hanson's One Nation 4 Matthew CANAVAN Liberal National Party of Queensland 5 Anthony CHISHOLM Australian Labor Party 6 James McGRATH Liberal National Party of Queensland 7 Claire MOORE Australian Labor Party 8 Ian MACDONALD Liberal National Party of Queensland 9 Andrew BARTLETT The Greens 10 Barry O'SULLIVAN Liberal National Party of Queensland 11 Chris KETTER Australian Labor Party 12 Fraser ANNING Pauline Hanson's One Nation Senate 06 Nov 2017 11:50:21 Page 1 of 5 Statement of Results Report Event: 2016 Federal Election - Full Senate Ballot: 2016 Federal Election - Full Senate Order Excluded Candidates Excluded Group Name 1 Single Exclusion Craig GUNNIS Palmer United Party 2 Single Exclusion Ian EUGARDE 3 Single Exclusion Ludy Charles SWEERIS-SIGRIST Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group) 4 Single Exclusion Terry JORGENSEN 5 Single Exclusion Reece FLOWERS VOTEFLUX.ORG | Upgrade Democracy! 6 Single Exclusion Gary James PEAD 7 Single Exclusion Stephen HARDING Citizens Electoral Council 8 Single Exclusion Erin COOKE Socialist Equality Party 9 Single Exclusion Neroli MOONEY Rise Up Australia Party 10 Single Exclusion David BUNDY 11 Single Exclusion John GIBSON 12 Single Exclusion Chelle DOBSON Australian Liberty Alliance 13 Single Exclusion Annette LOURIGAN Glenn
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of the Loss of HMAS SYDNEY
    An analysis of the loss of HMAS SYDNEY By David Kennedy The 6,830-ton modified Leander class cruiser HMAS SYDNEY THE MAIN STORY The sinking of cruiser HMAS SYDNEY by disguised German raider KORMORAN, and the delayed search for all 645 crew who perished 70 years ago, can be attributed directly to the personal control by British wartime leader Winston Churchill of top-secret Enigma intelligence decodes and his individual power. As First Lord of the Admiralty, then Prime Minster, Churchill had been denying top secret intelligence information to commanders at sea, and excluding Australian prime ministers from knowledge of Ultra decodes of German Enigma signals long before SYDNEY II was sunk by KORMORAN, disguised as the Dutch STRAAT MALAKKA, off north-Western Australia on November 19, 1941. Ongoing research also reveals that a wide, hands-on, operation led secretly from London in late 1941, accounted for the ignorance, confusion, slow reactions in Australia and a delayed search for survivors . in stark contrast to Churchill's direct part in the destruction by SYDNEY I of the German cruiser EMDEN 25 years before. Churchill was at the helm of one of his special operations, to sweep from the oceans disguised German raiders, their supply ships, and also blockade runners bound for Germany from Japan, when SYDNEY II was lost only 19 days before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Southeast Asia. Covering up of a blunder, or a punitive example to the new and distrusted Labor government of John Curtin gone terribly wrong because of a covert German weapon, can explain stern and brief official statements at the time and whitewashes now, with Germany and Japan solidly within Western alliances.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Representatives By-Elections 1901–2008
    Parliament of Australia Department of Parliamentary Services Parliamentary Library Information, analysis and advice for the Parliament RESEARCH PAPER www.aph.gov.au/library 22 September 2008, no. 7, 2008–09, ISSN 1834-9854 House of Representatives by-elections 1901–2008 Scott Bennett Politics and Public Administration Section Gerard Newman Formerly Statistics and Mapping Section Executive summary This paper details of House of Representatives by-elections held from that for Darling Downs on 14 September 1901 to the most recent held on 6 September 2008 for Lyne and Mayo: • There have been 144 by-elections, an average of 3.5 per parliament. • The number of nominations has grown over the years from 2.2 per by-election to 10.4 per by-election. • In only four cases was a by-election contested by just a single candidate. • An increasing tendency has been for governments to avoid contesting by-elections in their opponents’ safe seats. • In only seven cases has the Opposition party failed to contest a by-election. • Sixty-seven of the by-elections followed the death of the member, 71 members resigned, there have been five voided elections, and one MP was expelled from the House. • Since 1949 most by-elections have been caused by the resignation of the sitting member and have occurred in safe seats. • On 35 occasions the party complexion of a seat has altered at a by-election. • Five of the losses have been by the Opposition of the day. • The average two-party preferred swing against the government of the day has been 4.0 per cent.
    [Show full text]
  • Liberal Women: a Proud History
    <insert section here> | 1 foreword The Liberal Party of Australia is the party of opportunity and choice for all Australians. From its inception in 1944, the Liberal Party has had a proud LIBERAL history of advancing opportunities for Australian women. It has done so from a strong philosophical tradition of respect for competence and WOMEN contribution, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity. A PROUD HISTORY OF FIRSTS While other political parties have represented specific interests within the Australian community such as the trade union or environmental movements, the Liberal Party has always proudly demonstrated a broad and inclusive membership that has better understood the aspirations of contents all Australians and not least Australian women. The Liberal Party also has a long history of pre-selecting and Foreword by the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP ... 3 supporting women to serve in Parliament. Dame Enid Lyons, the first female member of the House of Representatives, a member of the Liberal Women: A Proud History ... 4 United Australia Party and then the Liberal Party, served Australia with exceptional competence during the Menzies years. She demonstrated The Early Liberal Movement ... 6 the passion, capability and drive that are characteristic of the strong The Liberal Party of Australia: Beginnings to 1996 ... 8 Liberal women who have helped shape our nation. Key Policy Achievements ... 10 As one of the many female Liberal parliamentarians, and one of the A Proud History of Firsts ... 11 thousands of female Liberal Party members across Australia, I am truly proud of our party’s history. I am proud to be a member of a party with a The Howard Years ..
    [Show full text]
  • Independents in Federal Parliament: a New Challenge Or a Passing Phase?
    Independents in Federal Parliament: A new challenge or a passing phase? Jennifer Curtin1 Politics Program, School of Political and Social Inquiry Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. [email protected] “Politics just is the game played out by rival parties, and anyone who tries to play politics in some way entirely independent of parties consigns herself to irrelevance.” (Brennan, 1996: xv). The total dominance of Australia’s rival parties has altered since Brennan made this statement. By the time of the 2001 federal election, 29 registered political parties contested seats and while only the three traditional parties secured representation in the House of Representatives (Liberals, Nationals and Labor) three independents were also elected. So could we argue that the “game” has changed? While it is true that government in Australia, both federally and in the states and territories, almost always alternates between the Labor Party and the Liberal Party (the latter more often than not in coalition with the National Party), independent members have been a feature of the parliaments for many years, particularly at the state level (Costar and Curtin, 2004; Moon,1995). Over the last decade or so independents have often been key political players: for a time, they have held the balance of power in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. More generally, since 1980 an unprecedented 56 independents have served in Australian parliaments. In 2003, 25 of them were still there. This is more than six times the number of independents elected in the 1970s. New South Wales has been the most productive jurisdiction during that time, with fourteen independent members, and Tasmania the least, with only one.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategy-To-Win-An-Election-Lessons
    WINNING ELECTIONS: LESSONS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY 1983-1996 i The Institute of International Studies (IIS), Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is a research institution focused on the study on phenomenon in international relations, whether on theoretical or practical level. The study is based on the researches oriented to problem solving, with innovative and collaborative organization, by involving researcher resources with reliable capacity and tight society social network. As its commitments toward just, peace and civility values through actions, reflections and emancipations. In order to design a more specific and on target activity, The Institute developed four core research clusters on Globalization and Cities Development, Peace Building and Radical Violence, Humanitarian Action and Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. This institute also encourages a holistic study which is based on contempo- rary internationalSTRATEGY relations study scope TO and WIN approach. AN ELECTION: ii WINNING ELECTIONS: LESSONS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY 1983-1996 By Dafri Agussalim INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA iii WINNING ELECTIONS: LESSONS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY 1983-1996 Penulis: Dafri Agussalim Copyright© 2011, Dafri Agussalim Cover diolah dari: www.biogenidec.com dan http:www.foto.detik.com Diterbitkan oleh Institute of International Studies Jurusan Ilmu Hubungan Internasional, Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Gadjah Mada Cetakan I: 2011 x + 244 hlm; 14 cm x 21 cm ISBN: 978-602-99702-7-2 Fisipol UGM Gedung Bulaksumur Sayap Utara Lt. 1 Jl. Sosio-Justisia, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281 Telp: 0274 563362 ext 115 Fax.0274 563362 ext.116 Website: http://www.iis-ugm.org E-mail: [email protected] iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This book is a revised version of my Master of Arts (MA) thesis, which was written between 1994-1995 in the Australian National University, Canberra Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Ceremonial Sitting of the Tribunal for the Swearing in and Welcome of the Honourable Justice Kerr As President
    AUSCRIPT AUSTRALASIA PTY LIMITED ABN 72 110 028 825 Level 22, 179 Turbot Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 PO Box 13038 George St Post Shop, Brisbane QLD 4003 T: 1800 AUSCRIPT (1800 287 274) F: 1300 739 037 E: [email protected] W: www.auscript.com.au TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS O/N H-59979 ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL CEREMONIAL SITTING OF THE TRIBUNAL FOR THE SWEARING IN AND WELCOME OF THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE KERR AS PRESIDENT THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE KERR, President THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE KEANE, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE BUCHANAN, Presidential Member DEPUTY PRESIDENT S.D. HOTOP DEPUTY PRESIDENT R.P. HANDLEY DEPUTY PRESIDENT D.G. JARVIS THE HONOURABLE R.J. GROOM, Deputy President DEPUTY PRESIDENT P.E. HACK SC DEPUTY PRESIDENT J.W. CONSTANCE THE HONOURABLE B.J.M. TAMBERLIN QC, Deputy President DEPUTY PRESIDENT S.E. FROST DEPUTY PRESIDENT R. DEUTSCH PROF R.M. CREYKE, Senior Member MS G. ETTINGER, Senior Member MR P.W. TAYLOR SC, Senior Member MS J.F. TOOHEY, Senior Member MS A.K. BRITTON, Senior Member MR D. LETCHER SC, Senior Member MS J.L REDFERN PSM, Senior Member MS G. LAZANAS, Senior Member DR I.S. ALEXANDER, Member DR T.M. NICOLETTI, Member DR H. HAIKAL-MUKHTAR, Member DR M. COUCH, Member SYDNEY 9.32 AM, WEDNESDAY, 16 MAY 2012 .KERR 16.5.12 P-1 ©Commonwealth of Australia KERR J: Chief Justice, I have the honour to announce that I have received a commission from her Excellency, the Governor General, appointing me as President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hon. RJ Ellicott QC Way He Did Not Think Pro P E R Entering Into Partnership
    A D D R E S S E S The Hon. R J Ellicott QC: 50 years at the Bar A speech delivered when he moved to Elizabeth by The Hon. Justice R V Gyles B a y. He is pre s e n t l y AO at a dinner to celebrate C h a i rman of Life Education Ellicott QC’s 50 years at the Australia, which does much Ba r , Westin Sydney, 17 good work with dru g November 2000 education programmes for Australian school students. ou can take the boy out He spent 14 years in of the bush, but not the public life as solicitor- Ybush out of the boy. general, a Member of the Bob Ellicott was born House of Representatives, in and raised in Moree, the various ministerial son of a shearer turn e d p o rtfolios, and as a Federal wool classer. Rural intere s t s C o u rt judge. have been one abiding He had, and has, a theme of his life. Since his genuine fascination for days as a junior barr i s t e r, he public affairs. He re s i g n e d has owned rural pro p e rt i e s f rom the Bench in part (not always with Colleen’s because he retained this full approval). When in i n t e rest and did not wish to comparative penury whilst shut himself out of in public service, he p a rticipation in public issues persuaded Trevor Morling and public debate in the to subsidise his interest by The Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Balance of Power Senate Projections, Spring 2018
    Balance of power Senate projections, Spring 2018 The Australia Institute conducts a quarterly poll of Senate voting intention. Our analysis shows that major parties should expect the crossbench to remain large and diverse for the foreseeable future. Senate projections series, no. 2 Bill Browne November 2018 ABOUT THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE The Australia Institute is an independent public policy think tank based in Canberra. It is funded by donations from philanthropic trusts and individuals and commissioned research. We barrack for ideas, not political parties or candidates. Since its launch in 1994, the Institute has carried out highly influential research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues. OUR PHILOSOPHY As we begin the 21st century, new dilemmas confront our society and our planet. Unprecedented levels of consumption co-exist with extreme poverty. Through new technology we are more connected than we have ever been, yet civic engagement is declining. Environmental neglect continues despite heightened ecological awareness. A better balance is urgently needed. The Australia Institute’s directors, staff and supporters represent a broad range of views and priorities. What unites us is a belief that through a combination of research and creativity we can promote new solutions and ways of thinking. OUR PURPOSE – ‘RESEARCH THAT MATTERS’ The Institute publishes research that contributes to a more just, sustainable and peaceful society. Our goal is to gather, interpret and communicate evidence in order to both diagnose the problems we face and propose new solutions to tackle them. The Institute is wholly independent and not affiliated with any other organisation. Donations to its Research Fund are tax deductible for the donor.
    [Show full text]
  • Trends in Australian Political Opinion Results from the Australian Election Study 1987– 2016
    Trends in Australian Political Opinion Results from the Australian Election Study 1987– 2016 Sarah M. Cameron Ian McAllister Appendix Question Wording and Tables Sarah Cameron School of Politics and International Relations The Australian National University E [email protected] Ian McAllister School of Politics and International Relations The Australian National University E [email protected] 1. The election campaign Followed the election in the mass media (Television) 1969: ‘First of all, did you follow the election campaign on television?’ 1969 Yes 62.9 No 31.1 Don’t have TV 5.8 (N) 1,872 1967, 1979: ‘Do you follow politics much on television?’ 1967 1979 Yes 34.4 59.3 No 65.6 39.9 (N) 2,032 2,015 1987 – 90: ‘During the election campaign, how often did you follow the election news on television, or did you follow it at all?’ 1987 1990 Often 51.9 42.2 Sometimes 32.1 36.9 Rarely 10.6 14.4 Not at all 5.4 6.5 (N) 1,771 2,007 1993 – 2016: ‘Did you follow the election campaign news on television?’ 1993 1996 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 A good deal 41.9 30.5 32.3 26.4 28.0 36.5 35.7 30.4 24.7 Some 38.1 39.0 44.1 42.2 41.0 40.1 41.3 39.3 42.9 Not much 15.8 23.3 18.3 22.4 23.9 17.6 17.5 20.4 22.2 None at all 4.1 7.2 5.3 9.0 7.1 5.8 5.4 9.9 10.2 (N) 2,270 1,733 1,815 1,867 1,665 1,817 2,042 3,898 2,616 (N) = number 2 Trends in Australian Political Opinion Followed the election in the mass media (Radio) 1969: ‘Did you follow the election campaign on the radio?’ 1969 Yes 18.1 No 81.9 (N) 1,855 1967, 1979: ‘Do you follow politics
    [Show full text]
  • The Most Vitriolic Parliament
    THE MOST VITRIOLIC PARLIAMENT EVIDENCE OF THE VITRIOLIC NATURE OF THE 43 RD PARLIAMENT AND POTENTIAL CAUSES Nicolas Adams, 321 382 For Master of Arts (Research), June 2016 The University of Melbourne, School of Social and Political Sciences Supervisors: Prof. John Murphy, Dr. Scott Brenton i Abstract It has been suggested that the period of the Gillard government was the most vitriolic in recent political history. This impression has been formed by many commentators and actors, however very little quantitative data exists which either confirms or disproves this theory. Utilising an analysis of standing orders within the House of Representatives it was found that a relatively fair case can be made that the 43rd parliament was more vitriolic than any in the preceding two decades. This period in the data, however, was trumped by the first year of the Abbott government. Along with this conclusion the data showed that the cause of the vitriol during this period could not be narrowed to one specific driver. It can be seen that issues such as the minority government, style of opposition, gender and even to a certain extent the speakership would have all contributed to any mutation of the tone of debate. ii Declaration I declare that this thesis contains only my original work towards my Masters of Arts (Research) except where due acknowledgement has been made in the text to other material used. Equally this thesis is fewer than the maximum word limit as approved by the Research Higher Degrees Committee. iii Acknowledgements I wish to acknowledge my two supervisors, Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • THE 'WA APPROACH' to NATIONAL PARTY SURVIVAL John Phillimore
    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Phillimore, J. and McMahon, L. 2015. Moving Beyond 100 Years: The "WA Approach" to National Party Survival. Australian Journal of Politics and History. 61 (1): pp. 37-52], which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/ajph.12085. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving at http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-820227.html#terms MOVING BEYOND 100 YEARS: THE ‘WA APPROACH’ TO NATIONAL PARTY SURVIVAL John Phillimore* Lance McMahon Submitted to and accepted by Australian Journal of Politics and History *Corresponding Author: [email protected] or 9266 2849 John Curtin Institute of Public Policy, Curtin University GPO Box U1987 Perth WA 6845 Professor John Phillimore is Executive Director of the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy, Curtin University. Lance McMahon is a Research Associate at the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy, Curtin University. June 2014 1 MOVING BEYOND 100 YEARS: THE ‘WA APPROACH’ TO NATIONAL PARTY SURVIVAL Abstract Since its formation in 1913, the Western Australian branch of the National Party has faced many challenges to its survival. Electoral reform removing rural malapportionment in 2005 prompted changes in strategic direction, including abandoning coalition with the Liberal Party and creating a discrete image, branding and policy approach. Holding the balance of power after the 2008 election, the Party adopted a post-election bargaining strategy to secure Ministries and funding for its ‘Royalties for Regions’ policy. This ‘WA approach’ is distinctive from amalgamation and coalition arrangements embraced elsewhere in Australia.
    [Show full text]