Branch stacking is, in many ways, also a symptom of the two-party system.
It was former Labor prime minister Gough Whitlam who said; “… anybody who’s interested in improving matters which are determined by the constitution or by acts of parliament should join the Labor Party or the Liberal Party and try to do something about it. Because, as far ahead as we can see, the Prime Minister of Australia will be a Labor man or a Liberal man, or woman; but otherwise you’re just treading water or spouting into thin air if you say that you can change things other than by supporting the Labor or the Liberal Party.” And he was right.
Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar whose electoral practices are currently being examined.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Independent candidates and MPs might be having their moment in the sun, but to be in government, politicians must align themselves with a major party. Government is not an individual sport.
Power within these party structures comes from building a supporter base. Charismatic MPs with a natural magnetism may entice recruits to sign up or convince members to follow their cause.
But, for the rest of them, a simple alternative is to manipulate party memberships to influence outcomes. A tactic that can be particularly effective in small branches where a handful of votes can secure outcomes.
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From time to time, these outcomes are subjected to scrutiny, but only when a disaffected party complains.
While branch stacking is not illegal, it is against party rules. And it is against the law for taxpayer-funded staff to engage in party political work while being funded by us.
Federal minister Michael Sukkar has found himself caught up in allegations that he was aware his friends and political allies were being paid by taxpayers to undertake party work to boost his factional base within the Liberal Party.
Within political circles there is an acceptance that some electorate office staff might, from time to time, find themselves replying to an email from a branch member or engaging in some small party matters while working on the public dime.
So, it doesn’t seem like a stretch when political staff, many of whom don’t have enough office work to fill their days, chase some party membership fees or start to engage in factional work.
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It reflects a mindset by some politicians who see taxpayers as already picking up the bill for their staffing, communication, transport, travel and salaries and fail to see the problem with public funds being misused in this way.
The latest anti-corruption probe will deter some MPs, but it is unlikely to eradicate branch stacking and other dodgy political practices.
More optimistic political observers believe many of these issues could be addressed if more ordinary Australians signed up to political parties, thereby minimising the impact of branch stacking and reducing the need for taxpayer-funded staff to engage in theses dirty deeds.
In reality, these scandals do little to entice people to join political parties and instead reinforce the idea that members are taken for granted and parties remain the domain of political operatives who regard the free-thinking members as a nuisance.
Branch stacking’s a symptom of the two-party system
Source: Philippines Alive
