The 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
- Wyatt Promises Indigenous Recognition Referendum Within Three Years July 10, 2019
- George Williams On Dual Citizenship And Same Sex Marriage Survey August 30, 2017
- Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s New Year Message January 1, 2014
- The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack October 26, 2013
- Abbott: Indigenous Issues Will Be At The Heart Of A Coalition Government In Word And Deed March 15, 2013
- Scullion: A Genuine Sense Of Bipartisanship February 26, 2013
- Act Of Recognition Passes In House Of Representatives February 13, 2013
- Parliamentary Committee Recommends Referendum On Local Government January 24, 2013
- Expert Panel Recommends Constitutional Recognition Of Indigenous Australians January 16, 2012
- John Howard’s Speech On Reconciliation October 11, 2007
- Wayne Swan: Connecting With The Missing Middle – Reforming The Parliament And The ALP January 30, 2002
- Stott Despoja Calls For Constitutional and Political Reforms May 10, 2001
- Bill Of Rights: Australian Democrats Bill October 1, 2000
- Carmen Lawrence: Renewing Democracy – Can Women Make a Difference? August 17, 2000
- The Republican Constitution November 6, 1999
- Proposed Wording For Preamble Referendum September 1, 1999
- Jeff Kennett Proposes New Wording For Preamble Referendum April 14, 1999
- Preamble Referendum: Initial Bill – Explanatory Statement March 25, 1999
- John Howard’s Exposure Draft of Proposed New Preamble March 25, 1999
- A.L.P. Releases A Draft Preamble To The Constitution March 12, 1999
- Vote For A Real Republic! November 16, 1997
- Howard: Response To Keating’s Republic Proposal June 8, 1995
- Keating: An Australian Republic – The Way Forward June 7, 1995
- Gough Whitlam on a Republic and Blocking Supply June 7, 1995
- Queen Elizabeth Signs Australia Act Into Law March 2, 1986
Parliamentary Reform
- Historic Parliamentary Sitting As Members Given Remote Access Because Of COVID-19 August 24, 2020
- George Williams On Dual Citizenship And Same Sex Marriage Survey August 30, 2017
- Sussan Ley Resigns From Ministry; Turnbull Announces Reforms To Politicians’ Entitlements January 13, 2017
- Written Submissions Lodged For High Court Challenge To Senate Voting Reforms April 15, 2016
- Queensland Fixed Four-Year Terms Referendum: YES and NO Cases March 5, 2016
- Queensland Parliament Passes Bill For Referendum To Introduce Fixed Four-Year Terms December 4, 2015
- Queensland Parliamentary Committee Recommends Fixed Four-Year Terms November 9, 2015
- The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack October 26, 2013
- John Faulkner Calls For Better Governance Of Parliament, Public Service And The ALP December 4, 2012
- Whitlam-Fraser Call For Strengthening Of Ministerial Accountability November 12, 2007
- John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since July 1st December 16, 2005
- Apathy And Anger: John Faulkner On Our Modern Democracy October 22, 2005
- Question Time: Time To Retire The Rhetoric November 21, 2004
- John Faulkner: Balancing Government Effectiveness With Oversight And Scrutiny September 30, 2003
- Democrats Support Breast-Feeding In Senate May 1, 2003
- Beattie Provides Support To Depleted Opposition April 28, 2003
- Full Text Of Victoria’s Constitution (Parliamentary Reform) Act 2003 March 27, 2003
- Victorian Parliamentary Reform – Explanatory Memorandum March 27, 2003
- Historic Reform Of Victorian Parliament March 27, 2003
- British Reforms To Parliament’s Sitting Times December 19, 2002
- Western Australian Government To Toughen MPs Disclosure Laws September 14, 2002
- Howard Claims Better Record In Question Time Than Keating, Hawke Or Fraser June 27, 2002
- The Senate: Terms Of Office, Voting, And “Reform” June 12, 2002
- Howard Government Cancels Question Time On Budget Day May 3, 2002
- ALP Women Continue Fight For Equal Representation April 29, 2002
- Harry Evans: Time For Reformation Of The Australian Parliament April 24, 2002
- Parliamentary Sitting Days – 2001 April 18, 2002
- Ron Walker Backs 4-Year Parliamentary Terms; Howard Urges Caution April 13, 2002
- An Independent Speaker: Howard vs Crean February 11, 2002
- Howard Comments On Crean’s Proposed Parliamentary Reforms February 10, 2002
- Simon Crean Pursues His Proposed Parliamentary Reforms February 7, 2002
- Simon Crean: A Modern Parliament For A Modern Australia February 7, 2002
- Wayne Swan: Connecting With The Missing Middle – Reforming The Parliament And The ALP January 30, 2002
- New Speaker Must Get Order In The House: The Australian Editorial November 28, 2001
- Stott Despoja Calls For Constitutional and Political Reforms May 10, 2001
- Australian Parliament’s Centenary Celebrated; Howard Praises Curtin & Menzies; Beazley Calls For Republic May 9, 2001
- Speaker Neil Andrew Proposes Reforms To Parliament May 6, 2001
- Carmen Lawrence: Renewing Democracy – Can Women Make a Difference? August 17, 2000
- Federal Parliament Broadcasting Live on the Internet November 23, 1999
- Hereditary Peers Abolished in Britain October 27, 1999
- Meg Lees On Parliamentary Reform: The Baby And The Bathwater February 22, 1999
Electoral Reform
- JSCEM Report on 2022 Federal Election Tabled November 27, 2023
- High Court Unanimously Dismisses Challenge To Senate Voting Changes May 13, 2016
- High Court To Hear Challenge To Senate Voting Reforms On May 2 April 15, 2016
- Written Submissions Lodged For High Court Challenge To Senate Voting Reforms April 15, 2016
- Senate Voting Reforms Passed By Both Houses March 18, 2016
- Senate Adjournment Motion Amended To Prevent Early Recall March 18, 2016
- Gary Gray: “I Am Made Sad By My Party’s Position” March 17, 2016
- Joint Committee’s Advisory Report On Senate Voting Reforms March 2, 2016
- Conroy Says Senate Voting Reform Would Give Coalition A Blocking Majority March 1, 2016
- Party Discipline Trumps Policy Commitment: Gary Gray Supports Senate Voting Reform But Will Vote Against It February 24, 2016
- Turnbull Announces Senate Voting Reforms; Group Voting Tickets Abolished February 22, 2016
- Changes To Senate Voting Methods Recommended; Liberals, ALP And Greens Agree To Stamp Out Preference Gaming May 9, 2014
- Clive Palmer Releases Memorandum Of Understanding With Motoring Enthusiast Party December 30, 2013
- Queensland To Introduce Voter ID Law, Increase Funding Threshold, Allow Unlimited Donations November 21, 2013
- The State Of The Federation: Ted Mack October 26, 2013
- Queensland Government Electoral Reform Discussion Paper January 3, 2013
- 2010 Federal Election Report Released July 7, 2011
- Government Releases Second Electoral Reform Green Paper September 1, 2009
- Electoral Reform Green Paper December 17, 2008
- The Senate: Terms Of Office, Voting, And “Reform” June 12, 2002
- Queenslanders Embracing Optional Preferential Voting April 24, 2002
- Wayne Swan: Connecting With The Missing Middle – Reforming The Parliament And The ALP January 30, 2002
- Paying Attention To The Rules Of The Election Game: John Warhurst June 29, 2001
- Carmen Lawrence: Renewing Democracy – Can Women Make a Difference? August 17, 2000
- Making The Bastards Honest: Democrats’ Accountability Package August 1, 2000
- Greens Win Protection Of Voting Rights For Youth And Prisoners March 31, 1999
- Gary Gray: The Funding Of Political Parties June 18, 1996
- Derryn Hinch Suspended By 3AW After Breaking Election Blackout October 16, 1980
