Time to rethink our role as electors and that of the politicians we elect?

In view of the rapid turnover of Prime Ministers – and in particular the current embarrassing compromise – perhaps we need to stop seeing federal elections as a choice between the two major party leaders.

Even more importantly, I would argue that we need to remind ourselves that we cast a vote for a MHR to represent the interests and views of our electorate, and not to the line of his or her party leadership. In this respect I plead guilty as I have rarely if ever taken much note of the local member, merely seeing them as representatives of their parties. Abbotts reluctance to represent the clear views of his electorate will hopefully lead to his downfall.

Votes cast for Senators are typically also seen as a vote for parties of choice and an opportunity to give last preference to ratbag candidates and parties. Maybe its time to remind ourselves that the Senate’s role is not to determine who governs this country but to equally protect the interests  of states and to represent the views of minorities whose vote is not large enough to secure any or little representation in the House of Representatives.

While political parties may insist that Senators and MHRs vote along party lines, it is time for us as electors to remind our representatives that their roles and obligations require them to act in the best interests of their constituents, be they individual electorates, states or minority interests.

Senators and MHRs who chose instead to focus on their own political careers should be treated, as we would treat anyone else that refuses to do the work for which we appointed them.