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Australia | Freedom House Australia | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/australia POLITICAL RIGHTS: 40 / 40 A. ELECTORAL PROCESS: 12 / 12 A1. Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4 The Australian government is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The leader of the popularly elected majority party or coalition is designated as prime minister, and serves as head of government. Scott Morrison, now head of the Liberal Party, became prime minister in August 2018, when he successfully challenged Malcolm Turnbull for leadership of the party. Morrison’s ascension continued a pattern in which prime ministers fail to serve their full terms due to “leadership coups,” which have drawn criticism for failing to reflect the will of the voters. After becoming party leader, Morrison took steps in December to limit leadership coups in the Liberal Party by introducing rules requiring a two-thirds majority vote in order to change the prime minister. A governor general, appointed on the recommendation of the prime minister, represents the British monarch as head of state. The powers of the monarchy are extremely limited. A2. Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4 The bicameral legislative branch consists of a 150-member House of Representatives and 76-member Senate. The Liberal Party–National Party coalition won a slim majority in the House of Representatives in 2016 elections, which were free and fair. The Liberal–National coalition lost its parliamentary majority after former prime minister Turnbull resigned from Parliament in August 2018, leading to a by-election in October in which an independent candidate won his seat. A3. Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? 4 / 4 Australian electoral laws and procedures are generally fair and impartial. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)—an independent federal agency—coordinates all federal elections and referendums, draws seat boundaries, and keeps the electoral rolls. Voting is compulsory, and a registered voter’s failure to vote may result in a small fine, which if unpaid can increase, and ultimately lead to a criminal conviction. B. POLITICAL PLURALISM AND PARTICIPATION: 16 / 16 B1. Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? 4 / 4 Australians may organize political parties without restrictions. Registration and recognition as a political party requires a party constitution and either one member in Parliament, or at least 500 members on the electoral roll. B2. Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? 4 / 4 Power rotates between parties frequently, traditionally alternating between the Labor Party and the Liberal– National coalition. The Australian Greens and smaller left-leaning parties tend to ally with Labor, while rural- oriented and conservative parties often ally with Liberals. B3. Are the people’s political choices free from domination by the military, foreign powers, religious hierarchies, economic oligarchies, or any other powerful group that is not democratically accountable? 4 / 4 Political participation in Australia is free from undue influence of the military, religious organizations, or other 1 of 5 5/6/2019, 1:01 PM Australia | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/australia powerful groups. The British monarch remains the Australian head of state, but the monarchy’s power is strictly limited by the Australian constitution and legal precedent. Concerns about foreign interference in politics, particularly from China, persisted during 2018. Chinese actors had allegedly funded particular candidates and parties, and a senator resigned in 2017 due to his financial ties with companies linked to the Chinese government. Responding to these concerns, the government passed a law in November banning foreign donations to political parties, independent candidates, and other political campaign groups. Additionally, the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme, which was passed in June and came into force in December, requires persons who engage in political activities, such as lobbying, on behalf of a foreign government or other entity, to register publicly. B4. Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, religious, gender, LGBT, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? 4 / 4 Political rights and electoral opportunities are granted to all Australians. However, the interests of some groups, including women and indigenous Australians, are inadequately represented, and women members of Parliament have reported being bullied, intimidated, and harassed. Some voting restrictions—including requirements that voters hold a fixed address and a ban on voting by prisoners serving long sentences —disproportionately affect indigenous Australians. In the 2016 legislative elections, the first indigenous woman was elected to the House of Representatives. C. FUNCTIONING OF GOVERNMENT: 12 / 12 C1. Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? 4 / 4 The freely elected government is generally able to develop and implement policy. C2. Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? 4 / 4 Laws against official corruption are generally well enforced. In December 2018, Prime Minister Morrison announced the formation of a new anticorruption commission, although Labor politicians criticized the commission for lacking transparency and holding limited power. C3. Does the government operate with openness and transparency? 4 / 4 Government operations are characterized by a high degree of transparency, and political affairs are openly discussed in Parliament and in the media. Parliamentary records and commissioned reports are readily available. The Freedom of Information Act allows people to access a wide range of government documents. CIVIL LIBERTIES: 58 / 60 D. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND BELIEF: 16 / 16 D1. Are there free and independent media? 4 / 4 The constitution does not explicitly protect press freedom. However, journalists scrutinize lawmakers and the government and cover controversial topics, generally without encountering serious obstacles or risking harassment or violence. Suppression orders can sometimes inhibit journalism. For example, a judge in Victoria issued a suppression order that largely prevented reporting on the trial of Cardinal George Pell, an Australian Vatican official convicted of sexual assault in December 2018. While the order aimed to prevent jeopardizing potential future trials involving the cardinal, it was criticized for stifling reporting on a story of great public interest. D2. Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? 4 / 4 The constitution explicitly prohibits laws that would either impose or restrict religious expression, and individuals are generally able to express religious beliefs or nonbelief. D3. Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political 2 of 5 5/6/2019, 1:01 PM Australia | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/australia indoctrination? 4 / 4 Academic freedom is generally respected. However, in 2017, federal officials warned of Chinese attempts to monitor Chinese students in Australia, and to question academics whose views differed with those of the Chinese government. D4. Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? 4 / 4 Generally, people in Australia may freely discuss personal views on sensitive topics. The government passed a number of laws in recent years increasing its surveillance powers. In December 2018, the government passed the Assistance and Access Act, which requires technology companies to provide law enforcement agencies with access to encrypted communications on grounds that include preventing terrorism and crime. Rights groups criticized the new law’s broad reach, relative lack of oversight, and steep fines for companies that do not comply. A data retention law that came into effect in 2017 requires telecommunications companies to store users’ metadata for two years. The law sparked concerns about the government’s ability to track mobile and online communications. Some experts have warned of the potential for data breaches, and have argued that the law undermines civil liberties. E. ASSOCIATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL RIGHTS: 12 / 12 E1. Is there freedom of assembly? 4 / 4 Freedom of assembly is not explicitly codified in law, but the government generally respects the right to peaceful assembly in practice. There are some limited restrictions meant to ensure public safety. There has been some concern in recent years about measures designed to discourage protests at certain kinds of workplaces. In 2016, the New South Wales state government passed laws apparently meant to curb a protest movement targeting mining operations. E2. Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? 4 / 4 NGOs
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