ELECTION \'07: THE ISSUES - SENATE & ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE

ELECTION '07 Latest News Our Election Platform The Issues Our Candidates How-to-vote Democrats Get involved THE ISSUES Climate Change, Land & Water Our Health System Senate & Accountable Governance Workplace Relations - building a modern economy Helping Rural Australians Respecting Indigenous Australians Become a supporter and be notified as more issues are avaliable “Federal government is in danger of slipping into a perversion of democracy in which ministers disdain honesty and accountability for their actions." KenCoghill & AlanHunt RELATED CAMPAIGN Senate Watch

The role of the Senate as a brake on the excesses of government is not working under the Howard Government. Our parliamentary democracy is now less democratic and less accountable than it was a decade ago. The flow of information to the public is even more controlled. Government without checks and balances is a dangerous system. We have consistently fought for greater transparency and accountability in our democracy, with the public's right to know an essential principle. SAVE OUR SENATE: GetUp! ad on YouTube We will continue to defend the role role of the Senate as an independent house of review. And we also call for reforms to the constitution aimed at strengthening our democracy, from ensuring an Australian head of state to fixed four-year terms and proportional representation. The issues around the Senate and Accountable Governance are complex.  For a detailed analysis please see our following Action Plans: Accountability of Ministerial Staff Appointments on Merit Compulsory Voting Constitutional Reform Corporate Governance Direct Democracy Disclosure of Political Donations Financial Independence of Parliament Four Year Fixed Terms Freedom of Information Government Advertising Independence of the Judiciary Local Government  Minimising Secrecy Ministerial Code of Conduct Parliamentary Consent for War Parliamentary Privilege Political Governance: The Regulation of Political Parties Politicians Salary Post-Ministerial Appointments Role of the Senate Separation of Powers The Public Service Truth in Political Advertising Voting Rights of Prisoners Whistleblower Protection More of our action plans on this issue are on their way - become a supporter and we will let you know when they are available.