Should politicians represent their community or their party? - July 2024

Last month, WA Senator, Fatima Payman, voted against her party on a matter that she felt strongly about and as a result, had to resign from the Australian Labor Party.

No matter what you think about the content of the vote (the recognition of Gaza), this has raised an interesting issue that goes to the heart of representative democracy.

In the ALP, you are not allowed to ‘cross the floor’ (vote against the party). Party positions are agreed behind closed doors and once decided, party members must support them, even if they don’t align with their personal or community’s views.

In the Coalition, crossing the floor doesn’t get you expelled, but it is a career limiting move. Bridget Archer stands alone, having crossed the floor 25 times in this Parliament and as a result, you won’t see her on the front bench any time soon.

People have reacted differently to Senator Payman’s predicament – those who are embedded in the party system say these are the rules of the game.

But increasingly, I am hearing from people who think that our political representatives’ primary duty should be to their communities and their consciences, not their party.

Party positions are increasingly driven by political point-scoring, rather than a long-term view of what the country needs.

Who actually sets the party positions? The faceless powerbrokers? The leaders? What vested interests are at play?

At the moment, one side wins power and the other side sits back and throws stones until it’s their turn, doing what they can to sabotage, to increase their own chance of success next time.

But there is another option.

Last election, a third of voters cast their primary vote for someone outside a major party. These voters want an accountable representative who will listen to and reflect their values rather than being forced to repeat the party talking points in order to progress their careers.

In a balanced parliament, new laws could be improved by people who assess each issue on its merits, knowing that they are answerable to their community. Rather than chaos, this could drive better long-term outcomes and a rebuilding of trust in our democratic system.

So no matter what you think about Senator Payman’s choices, ask yourself what’s more important to you – a representative who is loyal to a party or to their conscience and community.