Protecting democracy through federal reform: Ten principles released

Louise Bennet (External Relations) 03 9035 5135 0412 975 350 Experts from the University of Melbourne have developed ten key principles of democratic federal reform that will be examined tonight at the 2015 John Button Oration at Melbourne Town Hall. Constitutional scholar and Laureate Professor, Cheryl Saunders AO, and former Melbourne Law School Dean, Michael Crommelin , initiated the guideline development in response to the Commonwealth's discussion paper and stated commitment to produce a White Paper on Federation Reform. Professor Saunders said the draft discussion paper released at the end of June identified many of the problems that federalism reform should tackle, but almost no real guidance about what to do and why. "The discussion paper's reasoning is inconsistent and too opaque to encourage the public comment it purports to seek," Professor Saunders said. "It does not lead to clear conclusions, or even clear choices, leaving outcomes to horse-trading at best," she said. At tonight's public forum, journalist Jonathan Green will Professor Saunders on the 'ten principles of federal reform' and the best way forward for an Australian federal democracy. "Federalism reform through the lens of democracy has the potential to very considerably enhance the quality of government in Australia by strengthening both government and democracy," Professor Saunders said.