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