Minor Parties
A minor party is a party that fields candidates for the election but has insufficient voter support to win a majority of seats in a house of parliament in its own right. Minor parties include The Democrats, Greens, Family First and Nationals.
♥ Significant because;
♥ They hold the balance of power in the senate
♥ Their preferences may determine result of elections
♥ Provide an alternate choice for voters
Classifications of a minor party
♥ Secessionist parties – form as a result of a split in the “parent” party
♥ Aggrieved minor parties – usually form after the group failed as a pressure group
♥ Doctrinal parties – firm, narrow rigid doctrine
Why do major parties dominate?
♥ Australia is basically a two-party system and other parties have found it difficult to establish themselves
♥ Media tends to concentrate on major parties
♥ Minor parties find it difficult to raise finance
♥ Use of single member electorates has made it very difficult
Strategies used by Minor Parties
♥ Gaining major party support of their policies in exchange for their preferences
♥ Form coalitions with major parties, eg Nationals and Liberals
♥ Holding the balance of power in the senate
♥ Use electoral preferences as threats/compromises
The Australian Democrats
The Democrats have had a greater impact than any other minor party in the history of federal politics – emerged as a distinctive third force in federal politics – relative success over a period of 25 years. Origins – * Democrats emerged in the 1970s during period of dissatisfaction with the performance and policies of both major parties * ‘Swinging voters’ – not strongly attracted to either major parties * Opportunity existed for a third force to emerge in Australian politics – TIMING * 1977 –political meetings were held in all State capitals to discuss the creation of a new political party * Leader who had a national profile – Don Chipp (once Liberal, resigned in protests against Fraser) * Chipp led the Democrats until the mid-1980s – popularity important factor in the party’s early electoral success Beliefs and Structure
♥ Claim to have distinct policies and a different approach to politics than existing parties
♥ “non-ideological” – not tied to any sectional interests
♥ Loosely based on liberalism
♥ Ordinary party members have considerable influence on policies Impact of the Democrats
♥ Democrats role in amending g’ment has frustrated g’ments
♥ While party with majority in lower house has a g’ment mandate, recently senators of the democrats have claimed that differing results in HOR and senate result in competing mandates
♥ the senate democrats therefore claim to possess a ‘balance of power’ mandate to modify g’ment legislation The Australian Democrats have used their Senate power to modify recent Liberal legislation on;
♥ industrial relations – Workplace Relations Act
♥ Wik amendments to the Native Title Act
♥ The privatization of Telstra
♥ The GST
♥ ASIO powers to detain and interrogate.

The Greens
The political party whose main concerns and policies relate to environmental and ecological stability. Origins
♥ In 1992 a national green party, The Australian Greens was formed
♥ Objectives were to embody the practical pursuit of environmental protection
♥ Primary concern with environmental issues, but their experiences have mean they have had to extend their political attention to economic and social issues
♥ Party is best described as left of centre Beliefs and Structure
♥ Ecology
♥ Democracy
♥ Ecological sustainable economy
♥ Social justice and peace
♥ Main structural body is the National Council – meets twice a year and selects the party’s senate candidates
♥ Function of the National Council is to discuss organizational strategy, share information, and make interim policy decisions that have to be ratified by the party’s National Conference. Impact of Australian Greens
♥ Has enjoyed electoral success in the Australian Senate
♥ Also has considerable lower house success in the distribution of preferences
♥ Success is based on several factors; o Appeal to voters who hold progressive and alternative views that are not voiced by existing parties o Support from young voters – romantic notion o Internal difficulties of the Democrats have created an opportunity to become more established at a national o Achieve more of the protest vote