The proposals in this paper are intended as a starting point for a dialogue on the way forward for future reforms. In 2008 the Australian Government introduced a Lobbying Code of Conduct (the Code) and established a Register of Lobbyists (Register) to ensure that contact between lobbyists and Commonwealth Government representatives is conducted in accordance...

After 13 years of Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) representation, Prime Minister John Key has said it is time to ‘kick the tyres’ and see how much support the system enjoys. New Zealand will hold a referendum on the electoral system coinciding with the next election, which may well be a close contest. With this referendum...

On 20 November 2007 then members of the Liberal Party were involved in the distribution of unauthorised election material. This report proposes changes to electoral law to strengthen the prohibition on such activity.

This report includes a blueprint for reform, covering: a more robust disclosure scheme; election spending limits; contribution limits (with an exemption for membership fees); stricter regulation of fund-raisers; a Party and Candidate Support Fund; and enhanced accountability of government advertising.

Over the past two decades there have been at least ten examples of this political phenomenon in the Australian states and territories. This paper looks at those instances in which a minority government has been based on an agreement, charter or accord between major parties on one side and minor parties and/or Independents on the...