Democracy

Democracy is a wonderful, imperfect, flawed process, and in my opinion the best alternative we have for governing.

The right to freely and peacefully choose your leaders is a privilege.

Democracy delivers freedoms and with those freedoms comes both overt and subtle responsibilities which we all should strive to meet.

There will be times when democracy and the democratic process will test our beliefs, and values. The real test for each and everyone of us is to accept the challenges democracy presents to us with peaceful curiosity, understanding, and compassion, while holding true to our democratic principles.

The Separation of Powers

For a true democracy to operate effectively there needs to be clear delineated separation of the powers within that democracy.

There must be a clear and definite separation between Church and State. Although individual elected law makers can and will hold specific religious and spiritual beliefs, they should not allow those beliefs to influence them to go against the will of the people. Nor should the Church hold a position of power within the democratic process.

There must be clear and well defined separation between the Military and the State. The elected law makers will have ultimate power over the military. The military cannot have any involvement in the governing of the State and should only actively serve the State and its constitution.

There must be clear and a well defined separation between the State and the Courts. The State is governed by elected law makers who pass acts of Parliament which create new or alter existing laws. The courts make decisions and rulings on the application of those laws from a judicial and constitutional perspective. Those in the judiciary may advise the elected law makers on the laws they propose. The elected law makers should never interfere with the decisions made within the judiciary system.

Strong, Independent Institutions

The separation of powers is about understanding and defining the power that resides in each of the institutions which make up a functioning democracy and allow those institutions to operate freely, without interference, within the guidelines and guard-rails that defined their power.

Strong, independent institutions is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. One of the unique things about the Australian democracy that I love is the strong, independent electoral commission which manages our elections and impartially defines the electoral boundaries.

Within all representative democracies the impartial setting of electoral boundaries ensure that all votes are of equal value and that no party can influence the setting of boundaries to their advantage.

A strong and independent electoral commission also ensures that Australia has free and fair elections.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech is a privilege provided to the people within all functioning democracies. It does not mean the freedom to bully or vilify. Within the freedom of speech lies a rich and complex web of responsibilities for the acceptance, understanding and respect of your fellow citizens. I include freedom of the press as part of the overall freedom of speech. The press must be free to question, and report on the activities of the elected lawmakers in a fair, informative and balanced manner.

Freedom of Thought and Beliefs

Citizens of a functioning democracy are free to propagate, hold, and communicate the broadest diversity of thoughts, and beliefs, and align themselves with those thoughts and beliefs. The responsibilities here lie within the complexity of ensuring that there is a tolerance for and acceptance of the validity of all thoughts and beliefs. Again, such beliefs should not threaten, bully, or vilify opposing or contradictory thoughts and beliefs, or the individuals which align to specific thoughts and beliefs. There also needs to be alignment with the values and morals upheld by the majority of citizens.

Freedom of Information

Citizens are free to access information form the broadest sources, accepting that the State has the power to classify specific information for the safety of the Nation. It should be accepted and understood that ultimately, over time nothing is classified secret. Within a set time period all classified information will be released. We should always operate on the premise that there is no such thing as a secret.

Freedom of Association

Freedom of association is applied, and activitly works within a democracy in a very similar way to freedom of speech. Citizens are free to associate with whatever, whoever they please. Within this freedom lies another complex web of responsibilities which ensure that the associations do not threaten the peaceful, open, and free processes of democracy. Nor should they inhibit the beliefs and values of others, or bully or vilify.

Freedom of Assembly

Freedom of assembly goes hand in hand with freedom of association. Citizens are free to assemble within groups and associations, to protest and take collective action so long as those actions do not threaten the peaceful, open, and free processes of democracy. Nor should they inhibit the beliefs and values of others, or bully or vilify.

Regular, Free and Fair Elections

Holding regular elections is not necessarily an indication of a functioning democracy. Conducting regular, free, and fair elections is. A fully functioning democracy must guarantee its citizens universal franchise; everyone of voting age must be allowed to vote and have fair and equal access to vote, no matter where they are in the world. Combinations of re-poll voting, absentee, and postal ballots need to be available to all to ensure every citizen has the opportunity to cast their vote free of cohesion and intimidation.

Free from cohesion and intimidation is another cornerstone of a functioning democracy, as is the access to free, impartial electoral information.

All the freedoms mentioned above play a vital role in ensuring free and fair elections and make up the necessary ingredients of a fully functioning democracy.

It is also my strong opinion that voting needs to be held on a weekend to allow the maximum number of people to have the available time to cast their vote.

Freedom is Complex and Fragile

These freedoms sound simple, but they are extremely complex. The complexity lies within the subtle difference between exercising your freedoms and using those freedoms to inhibit the freedoms of others or the peaceful, and open process of democracy. They form an incredible balancing act to ensure the democratic process is open, free and equal to all.

These freedoms are also fragile. They must be guarded and cherished at all costs and rewarded for their independence and willingness to stand against any forces that threaten the free and open functioning of the democratic process.

Ó     Copyright Craig Buller 2025. All rights reserved