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Origins: The Australian Democrats were established in 1977 by a number of reformist groups, including the Australia Party and the New Liberal Movement, led by former Liberal Party Minister, Don Chipp. The founders created the new party as a reaction to what they saw as the 'entrenched power and vested interests' of the major political parties – the ALP and the Liberal-National Party coalition. The Democrats' aimed to become a 'centre party' alternative, without ties to any particular economic sector (trade unions or business) so it could 'serve the best interests of all Australians'.
Interests represented: The Australian Democrats aim to be a free political voice without vested interests. Generally, supporters have been diverse, issue-focused voters, tending to be young professionals but without grouping into clearly defined interest segments.
Values: The Australian Democrats is a party of concerns rather than of a set ideology. It advocates a more participatory democracy with curbs on the power of unions and big business. The party claims that it has the most democratic operation of all Australian political parties. It supports the maintenance of significant public enterprise and a strong government role in correcting social inequality and in protecting the environment and human rights.
In the Parliaments: In federal politics the party has held a number of Senate seats, which has often given it the 'balance of power' in national government. It has not succeeded in having members elected to the House of Representatives. In State Parliaments the party has had representation in the lower houses in Tasmania and South Australia and in the upper houses in three States: South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia.
Political Parties in Australia
Political parties have become an essential part of Australia's parliamentary democracy. In Australia, governments work from a 'party system'. This means that the party or the coalition of parties with the largest number of elected members in parliament usually forms the government of the day.
Political parties are formed by groups of people with common interests and outlook who come together with the aim of either forming government or strengthening their influence on government. Each party creates policies that will achieve its aims and then presents candidates for election to parliament. If a party's policies are attractive to enough voters they will achieve a majority of members in the parliament and then form the government. As the government they can then put their ideas into action. The party with the second largest number of members usually forms the official 'opposition'. Parties with only a few seats in parliament are referred to as 'minor parties'. Individual citizens who are not members of a party may also be elected to parliament and they become known as 'independents'. Independents and minor parties can have considerable influence on what a government can do but it is the party or coalition of parties with the majority of seats which forms government.
Parties vary in their size and ways of organising as well as in their policies. Some parties operate both nationally and in each of the States. Others operate only at a State level. Also, as society and issues change, so do the parties. They can change their policies, their support base, their organisation – and sometimes, their name! Some parties have a very short life span while others seem able to maintain themselves as long-term players on the political stage.
Currently there are 70 political parties registered with the Australian Electoral Commission. The parties described here are the main parties currently operating in Australian parliaments.
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