Democracy in Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how although Australia is in essence a democratic society which subscribes to the democratic principle of government by the people for the people, there are some areas of Australia that can be improved to make Australia more democratic. It focuses on two of these areas: the whistle-blowing system and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's ability to publicise scientific information or opinions on government policy issues. The paper argues that by altering the current state of these areas, Australia could become more democratic. It does this by explaining why these areas are important in the building or maintenance of democracy in Australia, how they are being threatened and what could be done to eliminate these threats and change these areas into their potential democratic base.

From the Paper:

"It has recently been found that the Australian Government has been censoring the publication of scientific information. Specifically; scientific information related to policy-issues such as greenhouse gas emission targets and environmental refugees. These allegations were aired on ABCs television show 4 corners and claimed senior Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) scientists have been regularly gagged by the government from commenting on such issues. This information came from senior CSIRO scientists who have also explained that the threat of reduced funding was the strategy used in stopping them from speaking out. Scientific censorship of any sort by the government is a serious breach of democratic principles. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Australian Government Budget 2007-2008, in CSIRO, 2007, viewed on 12 May 2007, . http://www.csiro.au/news/Budget2007.html.
• Brown A. 'Public Interest Disclosure Legislation in Australia: Towards the Next Generation?' in Democratic Audit of Australia, 2006, http://democratic.audit.anu.edu.au/papers/20060830_whisbl_ajbrown.pdf.
• 'Concern Over Journalists' Case', in World News Australia, May 2007, viewed 6 May 2007, http://www.worldnewsaustralia.com.au/region.php?id=118747&region=7.
• Dahl R. A. 'democracy and its critics' in P. Green (ed), Key concepts in Critical Theory: Democracy, Humanities Press, New Jersey, 1993, pp. 57-66.
• Davies A. D. Australian Democracy: An Introduction to the Political System, Longman's Green and Co, Melbourne, 1964.

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• Term Paper # 106710 : "Australia's Electoral System"

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