Political reform of political institutions usually means proposals for constitutional, parliamentary or electoral reform.
Reform proposals are also offered for political parties, as well as for electoral funding, donation and disclosure laws. Reforms to regulate the behaviour of pressure groups and lobbyists also arise from time to time, as do proposals to reform the operation of the executive branch of government.
In practice, reform proposals often overlap a number of areas.
The archives below focus on Constitutional, Parliamentary and Electoral reform.
Constitutional Reform
- Jul 10, 2019: Wyatt Promises Indigenous Recognition Referendum Within Three Years
- Aug 30, 2017: George Williams On Dual Citizenship And Same Sex Marriage Survey
- Jan 01, 2014: Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s New Year Message
- Oct 26, 2013: The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack
- Mar 15, 2013: Abbott: Indigenous Issues Will Be At The Heart Of A Coalition Government In Word And Deed
- Feb 26, 2013: Scullion: A Genuine Sense Of Bipartisanship
- Feb 13, 2013: Act Of Recognition Passes In House Of Representatives
- Jan 24, 2013: Parliamentary Committee Recommends Referendum On Local Government
- Jan 16, 2012: Expert Panel Recommends Constitutional Recognition Of Indigenous Australians
- Oct 11, 2007: John Howard’s Speech On Reconciliation
- Jan 30, 2002: Wayne Swan: Connecting With The Missing Middle – Reforming The Parliament And The ALP
- May 10, 2001: Stott Despoja Calls For Constitutional and Political Reforms
- Oct 01, 2000: Bill Of Rights: Australian Democrats Bill
- Aug 17, 2000: Carmen Lawrence: Renewing Democracy – Can Women Make a Difference?
- Nov 06, 1999: The Republican Constitution
- Sep 01, 1999: Proposed Wording For Preamble Referendum
- Apr 14, 1999: Jeff Kennett Proposes New Wording For Preamble Referendum
- Mar 25, 1999: Preamble Referendum: Initial Bill – Explanatory Statement
- Mar 25, 1999: John Howard’s Exposure Draft of Proposed New Preamble
- Mar 12, 1999: A.L.P. Releases A Draft Preamble To The Constitution
- Nov 16, 1997: Vote For A Real Republic!
- Jun 08, 1995: Howard: Response To Keating’s Republic Proposal
- Jun 07, 1995: Keating: An Australian Republic – The Way Forward
- Jun 07, 1995: Gough Whitlam On A Republic And Blocking Supply
- Mar 02, 1986: Queen Elizabeth Signs Australia Act Into Law
Parliamentary Reform
- Aug 24, 2020: Historic Parliamentary Sitting As Members Given Remote Access Because Of COVID-19
- Aug 30, 2017: George Williams On Dual Citizenship And Same Sex Marriage Survey
- Jan 13, 2017: Sussan Ley Resigns From Ministry; Turnbull Announces Reforms To Politicians’ Entitlements
- Apr 15, 2016: Written Submissions Lodged For High Court Challenge To Senate Voting Reforms
- Mar 05, 2016: Queensland Fixed Four-Year Terms Referendum: YES and NO Cases
- Dec 04, 2015: Queensland Parliament Passes Bill For Referendum To Introduce Fixed Four-Year Terms
- Nov 09, 2015: Queensland Parliamentary Committee Recommends Fixed Four-Year Terms
- Oct 26, 2013: The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack
- Dec 04, 2012: John Faulkner Calls For Better Governance Of Parliament, Public Service And The ALP
- Nov 12, 2007: Whitlam-Fraser Call For Strengthening Of Ministerial Accountability
- Dec 16, 2005: John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since July 1st
- Oct 22, 2005: Apathy And Anger: John Faulkner On Our Modern Democracy
- Nov 21, 2004: Question Time: Time To Retire The Rhetoric
- Sep 30, 2003: John Faulkner: Balancing Government Effectiveness With Oversight And Scrutiny
- May 01, 2003: Democrats Support Breast-Feeding In Senate
- Apr 28, 2003: Beattie Provides Support To Depleted Opposition
- Mar 27, 2003: Full Text Of Victoria’s Constitution (Parliamentary Reform) Act 2003
- Mar 27, 2003: Victorian Parliamentary Reform – Explanatory Memorandum
- Mar 27, 2003: Historic Reform Of Victorian Parliament
- Dec 19, 2002: British Reforms To Parliament’s Sitting Times
- Sep 14, 2002: Western Australian Government To Toughen MPs Disclosure Laws
- Jun 27, 2002: Howard Claims Better Record In Question Time Than Keating, Hawke Or Fraser
- Jun 12, 2002: The Senate: Terms Of Office, Voting, And “Reform”
- May 03, 2002: Howard Government Cancels Question Time On Budget Day
- Apr 29, 2002: ALP Women Continue Fight For Equal Representation
- Apr 24, 2002: Harry Evans: Time For Reformation Of The Australian Parliament
- Apr 18, 2002: Parliamentary Sitting Days – 2001
- Apr 13, 2002: Ron Walker Backs 4-Year Parliamentary Terms; Howard Urges Caution
- Feb 11, 2002: An Independent Speaker: Howard vs Crean
- Feb 10, 2002: Howard Comments On Crean’s Proposed Parliamentary Reforms
- Feb 07, 2002: Simon Crean Pursues His Proposed Parliamentary Reforms
- Feb 07, 2002: Simon Crean: A Modern Parliament For A Modern Australia
- Jan 30, 2002: Wayne Swan: Connecting With The Missing Middle – Reforming The Parliament And The ALP
- Nov 28, 2001: New Speaker Must Get Order In The House: The Australian Editorial
- May 10, 2001: Stott Despoja Calls For Constitutional and Political Reforms
- May 09, 2001: Australian Parliament’s Centenary Celebrated; Howard Praises Curtin & Menzies; Beazley Calls For Republic
- May 06, 2001: Speaker Neil Andrew Proposes Reforms To Parliament
- Aug 17, 2000: Carmen Lawrence: Renewing Democracy – Can Women Make a Difference?
- Nov 23, 1999: Federal Parliament Broadcasting Live on the Internet
- Oct 27, 1999: Hereditary Peers Abolished in Britain
- Feb 22, 1999: Meg Lees On Parliamentary Reform: The Baby And The Bathwater
Electoral Reform
- May 13, 2016: High Court Unanimously Dismisses Challenge To Senate Voting Changes
- Apr 15, 2016: High Court To Hear Challenge To Senate Voting Reforms On May 2
- Apr 15, 2016: Written Submissions Lodged For High Court Challenge To Senate Voting Reforms
- Mar 18, 2016: Senate Voting Reforms Passed By Both Houses
- Mar 18, 2016: Senate Adjournment Motion Amended To Prevent Early Recall
- Mar 17, 2016: Gary Gray: “I Am Made Sad By My Party’s Position”
- Mar 02, 2016: Joint Committee’s Advisory Report On Senate Voting Reforms
- Mar 01, 2016: Conroy Says Senate Voting Reform Would Give Coalition A Blocking Majority
- Feb 24, 2016: Party Discipline Trumps Policy Commitment: Gary Gray Supports Senate Voting Reform But Will Vote Against It
- Feb 22, 2016: Turnbull Announces Senate Voting Reforms; Group Voting Tickets Abolished
- May 09, 2014: Changes To Senate Voting Methods Recommended; Liberals, ALP And Greens Agree To Stamp Out Preference Gaming
- Dec 30, 2013: Clive Palmer Releases Memorandum Of Understanding With Motoring Enthusiast Party
- Nov 21, 2013: Queensland To Introduce Voter ID Law, Increase Funding Threshold, Allow Unlimited Donations
- Oct 26, 2013: The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack
- Jan 03, 2013: Queensland Government Electoral Reform Discussion Paper
- Jul 07, 2011: 2010 Federal Election Report Released
- Sep 01, 2009: Government Releases Second Electoral Reform Green Paper
- Dec 17, 2008: Electoral Reform Green Paper
- Jun 12, 2002: The Senate: Terms Of Office, Voting, And “Reform”
- Apr 24, 2002: Queenslanders Embracing Optional Preferential Voting
- Jan 30, 2002: Wayne Swan: Connecting With The Missing Middle – Reforming The Parliament And The ALP
- Jun 29, 2001: Paying Attention To The Rules Of The Election Game: John Warhurst
- Aug 17, 2000: Carmen Lawrence: Renewing Democracy – Can Women Make a Difference?
- Aug 01, 2000: Making The Bastards Honest: Democrats’ Accountability Package
- Mar 31, 1999: Greens Win Protection Of Voting Rights For Youth And Prisoners
- Jun 18, 1996: Gary Gray: The Funding Of Political Parties
- Oct 16, 1980: Derryn Hinch Suspended By 3AW After Breaking Election Blackout