When asked to list democratic countries, most people would include Australia amongst their choices. Indeed, it is a democracy in almost every measurable way; it operates under the rule of law, it has a parliament which is accountable to the people and all citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote. Yet the […]
George Siddons
Uluru/Ayers Rock: Why names matter and why you shouldn’t climb it
Ask most Brits what the name of the giant rock formation that stands in the centre of the Australian outback is, and they will likely say Ayers Rock. However, since coming to Australia I have heard it called most often by a different name: Uluru. This is the name given to it by the Aboriginal […]
What can we learn from the impact of compulsory voting in Australia?
Compulsory voting is a hugely contentious issue; for its opponents it flies in the face of every principle of democracy, yet for its supporters it is a vital way of engaging the maximum number of citizens in the democratic process. Whilst the theoretical debate about whether forcing people to vote is compatible with democratic principles […]