|
|||
| |||
|
 |
|
Main Committee Room |
The Howard Liberal-National Party Coalition Government is now in its second decade of incumbency. Meanwhile, at the state and territory level Labor governments have been uniformly entrenched in office for some time. There have been earlier periods of governance stability—notably during the post-war boom when the Menzies Prime Ministership coincided with the era of ‘boss’ premiers. Nonetheless, the contemporary era is striking in the degree of incumbent dominance, characterised in several instances by governments gaining electoral fat rather than losing support, and by oppositions performing poorly.
In this lecture, Dr Paul Strangio considers some of the systemic factors working in favour of incumbent governments and creating a lopsided playing field between them and their oppositions. The lecture will also ask whether this phenomenon is in turn magnifying the focus on, and further investing authority in, leaders, a trend in itself potentially dangerous for democratic governance.
Dr Paul Strangio is a Senior Lecturer in Politics in the School of Political and Social Inquiry at Monash University. His current research interests include biography, Labor Party history, leadership and institutional change. He is the author and editor of several books, including the soon to be released, The Victorian Premiers 1856-2006, Federation Press, 2006.Admission free—bookings not required
Inquiries to Senate Procedure Office
Phone: (02) 6277 3074
Email: research.sen@aph.gov.au
Website feedback: web.senate@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed 10 July 2006 by the Senate Web Administrator
© Commonwealth
of Australia
Parliament of Australia Web Site
Privacy Statement
Images courtesy of AUSPIC