Constitution Law

ESSAY QUESTION

Due Date: To be submitted by the end of 07 September 2018

Word Limit: 4,000 words with a 10% leeway

Please ensure you answer all a, b and c below

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Read together, sections 7, 9 and 51(xxxix) of the Constitution gives the

Parliament the power to prescribe the method of voting for members of the

Senate, provided that method permits voters a free choice among the candidates

for election.

The result of the Senate election in 2013 has sparked debate about how

representative the current system is because the distribution of preferences

delivered Senate seats to parties with a very low primary vote. Proposals for

reforming the senate voting method have focused on the introduction of an

optional preferential system of voting for the Senate to replace the current

system where voting by the majority of voters ‘above the line’ largely restricts

the distribution of preferences to the choices and deals made by the candidates.

a. Discuss and compare the current system of electing the members of the Senate

with an optional preferential system and critically analyse the difference(s) and

b. Which voting method for the Senate best advances the objective of

representative government contained in the Constitution and how?

c. While a right to vote has been found to be entrenched in the Constitution

through the use of the words ‘chosen by the people’,

Do you think the method of voting for the Senate should also be constitutionally

entrenched, limiting the power of the Parliament to determine and change the

method of electing the Senate and require a constitutional amendment approved

by the people under the terms of s.128?

In completing the essay you should consider the 1. historical purpose of the

Senate,

2. who has the power to determine the electoral system and its design and

2. what constitutional problems can be identified as arising from the Senate

 

election in 2013, particularly the success of ‘micro-parties’.