Klaas Woldring
Klaas Woldring is a retired A/Prof of Southern Cross University and was active in the ALP in the 1980s, when he twice stood for the federal seat of Richmond, based on Lismore.
Klaas's recent articles
13 March 2025
Minority government – a problem of the current electoral system
In a recent lengthy article in Inside Story, Brett Evans discusses a credible Teal threat to the Liberals in Sydney’s Bradfield seat and raises the question: would minority government be so bad?
3 March 2025
Australia needs a new flag to start constitutional renewal
The creation of a new flag may well be the first step to re-commence constitutional renewal, something that sadly seems to have been avoided altogether by the Albanese Government.
5 February 2025
How to be re-elected
The re-election of the Albanese Government cannot be taken for granted. That is inspite of several credible achievements by Treasurer Chalmers. Recent opinion polls suggest support for the ALP Government is insufficient for even a minority government win. Given the stunning election win by Trump, a similar disaster could happen in Australia.
11 November 2024
The Australian colony: When will the ALP Government initiate system reform?
The visit of the British royals was for many Australians a non-event, an almost unreal formality that has to be experienced and processed. During the visit, Lydia Thorpe felt compelled to very publicly state: “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. ... We want a treaty in this country. This is not your land. A stark reminder of unfinished business in the Australian colony.
21 September 2024
Proportional voting: Hare-Clark versus party list
This article aims to explain some of the differences between the two major voting systems. There are variations within each of them. Some combination of the Single Member District and Proportional Representation is even used as well, as for instance in New Zealand, where it was introduced in 1996.
15 August 2024
More support for the two-party system? High time for major electoral reform
The Government is planning to introduce a package of reforms to make it harder for Independent candidates to attract donations to win seats. This articles argues that it would be much better to concentrate on major electoral system reform: Introduce Proportional Representation - Party List.
17 June 2024
A Republic needs a new Constitution
The Australian Republic Movement has been silent on the need for major constitution renewal.
25 March 2024
The Tasmanian election result is a challenge to improve democracy in Australia
The recent decision by PM Albanese not to proceed with an important ALP election promise unless the Opposition supports the proposal surely runs counter to the two-party culture often claimed to be a holy aspect of the Westminster political system. At issue is the ALP's promise to protect the right of religious schools to practice their faith while also shielding teachers and students from discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
4 January 2024
The Trias Politica and Australian governance
In recent years a growing number of Australians have lost confidence in their system of governance, but few journalists and political theory academics have suggested alternatives. If Australia is to improve its governance system and its democracy, it should look to European alternatives.
19 August 2023
The ALP can improve democratic representation
The need for major governance system change in Australia is becoming more obvious daily but this is not obvious to the party in power federally and in five states, the ALP. Therefore, it is useful to reflect on this so that more ALP members begin to encourage their politicians to act accordingly. A preparedness to act is sure to be welcomed by the voters. It would result in much more democratic representation and the end of poor policy making.
13 August 2023
The ABC could improve political education greatly
The issue of the Voice referendum has again brought to light problems that have to do with a serious lack of understanding of governance systems in Australia and, even more seriously, where major problems exist, lacking a capacity to generate superior alternatives.
22 January 2023
For the Australian Republic Movement, minimalism is history
Its time for the Australian Republic Movement to move on from the minimalist campaign of the 1990s and embrace reform of our archaic constitution.
2 January 2023
Wake up Australia! A new constitution, not a new war!
What are the Australian people doing about their archaic and undemocratic Constitution?
18 December 2022
New election study shows need for proportional representation
The recently completed 2022 election study by Australian National University and Griffith University political scientists clearly shows the need for an electoral system that will provide democratic opportunity for fair representation.
25 November 2022
Outrageous executive salaries: undemocratic, unethical and unproductive
The current threat to democracy in several countries is not helped at all by the growth of executive salary packages.
1 October 2022
What kind of Republic? Who will campaign for it?
The passing of the Queen has reawakened the Republic issue. A quite varied number of responses appeared in the media recently. That is a most heartening by-product of a sad event.
21 January 2021
Stop tinkering at the edges: Australia needs a bold move to proportional representation
The pandemic crisis forced Australia to seek national solutions for a specific health threat. This could be a prelude to seeking other national solutions and ending the oppositionist cultures that have damaged democracy.