Political parties.
Support basis and organisation structure of political parties in Federal Parliament
Support on the basis of class:
In the 1940s and 1950s two thirds of Australians had voted for their “natural party”, this has declined one half at the present time.
Support on the basis of parental influence and age:
Support of the basis of gender:
Support on the basis of geography:
Support on the basis of economic:
Change in governments usually occur during times of economic concern eg. 1929 & 1932 (the depression); 1949 (economic issues such as petrol rationing and nationalisation of the Commonwealth Bank); 1972 (higher unemployment); 1975-soaring inflation; 1983 (highest rate of unemployment since the depression). However, this trend is not absolute.
In the 1940s and 1950s two thirds of Australians had voted for their “natural party”, this has declined one half at the present time.
- ALP. Traditionally the “workers party” with strong connections to the Trade Unions. The “embourgeoisiement” (owning a home, shares and property, improving standards of living, suburbanisation) led to the fall in support for the ALP. Gains 45% of the national vote.
- Liberals. Formed by Menzies in 1944 uniting all non-Labor groups after the disintegration of the UAP. Self-identified “middle and upper class” have supported the Liberals. Gains 40% of Australia’s vote
- Democrats. Formed in 1976 by Don Chipp as a centre party. Support basis is not geographically based. Proportional representative system of voting in the Senate has meant they have been able to win seats in all states. Often able to win the balance of power.
Support on the basis of parental influence and age:
- ALP. Younger people are more inclined to vote for the ALP.
- Liberals. Older people tend to more conservative politics
- Democrats. Young technocrats and paraprofessionals who have rejected the divisiveness of class politics and stress the virtues of social harmony and post-materialistic values.
Support of the basis of gender:
- ALP. Traditionally women favoured the Liberal Party. (50% make and 45% female in the 1970s preferred ALP) although this has changed since the 1980s.
- Liberals. As above
- Democrats. Women are attracted because of the high profile of women in the party. The party values female participation.
Support on the basis of geography:
- ALP Centred in the urban areas with a high concentration of “workers” eg. Fremantle. Academic centres eg. “University town” Armidale NSW.
- Liberals. Urban areas with higher income eg. Peppermint Grove. Agricultural areas eg. South West WA
- Democrats. Urban areas SA-closest Democrat victory Mayo (SA) 1998 election.
Support on the basis of economic:
Change in governments usually occur during times of economic concern eg. 1929 & 1932 (the depression); 1949 (economic issues such as petrol rationing and nationalisation of the Commonwealth Bank); 1972 (higher unemployment); 1975-soaring inflation; 1983 (highest rate of unemployment since the depression). However, this trend is not absolute.
- ALP. Support from those who hold: socialist concern for the economic welfare of the poorer sections of the community, concern for fair wages, larger governments and greater economic control.
- Liberals. Support from those who hold: supporting the rights of employers, small government allowing for market force
- Democrats. Support from those who hold: centrist economic policy allowing for free trade with social concern
Major parties
A distinction is often made between 'major' parties and such as the Labor and Liberal parties, and 'minor' parties, such as the Nationals, the Australian Democrats, the Green parties and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
Liberal Party
Support base:
Philosophy:
Policies:
Liberal Party
Support base:
- business (large and small), professions and middle class
- anti-union
- anti-Labor
Philosophy:
- Freedom of choice
- anti government intervention
- free-trade -> limited government
- anti-socialism
- support market economy
- traditional family economy
- co-operative Federalism
Policies:
- free market - reduce government spending, government deficit and taxation rates
- GST (reduce income tax)
- privitisation (e.g. Telstra)
- reudce corporate tax
- Work Choices - Industrial Relations powers to Commonwealth
- work for the dole
- reduce spending to create surplus budget
- Native Title amendments (pastoral leases)
- expand uranium mining (pro Nuclear power)
political_parties.pdf |
Task.
Using the table, copy the information given above and then complete for the Labor Party and chosen minor party.