In my last report, in July 2009, I reported on the aims I had set for PRSA (NSW) for 2009. There were 3 ongoing aims -

- to adopt a public campaign to abolish above-the-line voting and the associated group voting tickets in federal, state and local government elections;

- to take action against the persistence of 2-member wards particularly in Botany Bay and Ku-ring-gai Councils; and

- to campaign for the adoption of a genuine PR electoral system for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

The Australian Government has recently released two green papers on electoral reform:

• The second paper, Electoral Reform Green Paper – Strengthening Australia’s Democracy, was released on 23 September 2009.  Submissions on the paper were invited by 27 November 2009 and an online discussion forum was held on the paper from 9-27 November 2009.
• The first paper, Electoral Reform Green Paper – Donations, Funding and Expenditure, was released on 17 December 2008. 

The PRSA NSW Branch has made a submission.  It can be downloaded here: PRSA-NSW-Green_paper_submission (PDF 110K)

On 23 September 2009, Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, released the second part of the Rudd Government’s consultation process on electoral reform. A media release about the Green Paper can be found at http://www.smos.gov.au/media/2009/mr_382009.html, and the paper itself is available at http://www.pmc.gov.au/consultation/elect_reform/strengthening_democracy/index.cfm

Public comments have been invited and the closing date for such submissions is 27 November 2009.

An online discussion forum will also be open from Monday 9 November to Friday 13 November.

Thanks very much to psephologist and academic, Malcolm Mackerras, who kindly consented to be our Guest Speaker.

Mr Mackerras was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2006 for advocating reforms to the country's electoral system and encouraging political debate.

The following committee members were elected:

President: Susan Gregory

Vice President: Stephen Lesslie

Vice President: Mark Rodowicz

Secretary/Treasurer: Patrick Lesslie

Returning Officer: Marian Lesslie

Committee Member: John Baglin

Committee Member: Peter Palethorpe

Committee Member: John Webber

Committee Member: John Alexander