Proportional Representation Applied to Party Government: A New Electoral System

In a time when Australia’s new federal Senate structure has sparked fresh debate, this work dives into the clash between the entrenched block‑vote system and the more inclusive Hare method of proportional representation. The author explains how the block vote, while favoring the majority party and fostering stable party government, leaves minority voices without any foothold, especially when multiple seats are at stake. At the same time, the Hare system promises broader representation but threatens to splinter elections into countless small groups, unsettling the party‑centric landscape that underpins parliamentary stability.

Seeking a middle ground, the book proposes a reform that blends the strengths of both approaches: preserving the two‑party contest while guaranteeing each party a fair share of seats. Drawing on centuries‑old principles of representation—from the Magna Carta to modern parliamentary practice—the author builds a case for a new electoral design that curtails minor factions without denying minorities their rightful voice. The result is a thoughtful roadmap for a more balanced and functional democracy.