Australias' PMs' Demise is a Sign Of?...

Abbots' (Australia's' PMs') Demise is a Sign Of? - The Strength of Australia Parliamentary System!

Not withstanding the fact that we have had five Prime Ministers in five years Abbots demise is a sign of strength not weakness in our system.

We run a parliamentary system in Australia not a Presidential one. Although our system has elements of both the British and American there is one overriding truth in it. Parliament is supreme!  And specifically the lower house (Assembly)

The people of Australia vote for a local representative who sits in the lower house. The lower house selects the government. The government must have the confidence of the lower house.  (The Numbers)The government selects a leader  (Prime Minister) who must have the confidence of the Lower House (The Numbers) In reality under our Party System he must have the confidence of the governing party.

The Prime Minister is guided by a Cabinet who act in solidarity despite the fact that they may have differing issues on issues. Cabinet solidarity is a key plank of the system.

The fact that our Federal Elections have become more Presidential in style does not detract from the salient fact that Parliament is supreme. (The British in a long and bloody Civil War bled to assert this point)

This means that for whatever reason that The PM is not performing up to the standards of the Parliament (Governing Party) he can be outed. Abbot and his government were arguably the worst performing government for quite some time! We did not have to wait out another year or so for a replacement with all the damage this could entail to the country. No in our system we could replace this cancer and get on with a fresh team who in turn are disciplined by the same rules.

Given that during the Rudd/Gillard years there was an inherent instability but in a fair minded over view of history the plusses will always outweigh the minuses. Parliament has always had the ultimate trigger of dissolving and going to the people. But better to change government and leader than resort to an election or endure bad government. Expense and dislocation are reduced by this scenario.

 

What is also inherent in the Parliamentary System that even though it is competitive it relies on the goodwill and co-operation of all participants. They should act fairly, with tolerance and open mindedness. (In this way it mirrors the society it represents) That this has broken down in the near past is in large part a testament to the machinations of Abbot and his radical Conservative allies. But also to The Rudd/Gillard and now Shorten Labor elements.

Let us hope that the Australian Parliament can now go forward in a more positive and progressive manner, manifesting the aspirations and hopes of the great country it serves. Let us also hope it provides the standard of government that this country deserves.