Bill Browne
@browne90.bsky.social
Director at The Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability Program. Views posted are my own.
6/ Between 1972 and 1975, Parliament passed 647 acts of Parliament, compared to 500 between 2021 and 2024.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
6/ Between 1972 and 1975, Parliament passed 647 acts of Parliament, compared to 500 between 2021 and 2024.
5/ Parliament does not sit for as long as it used to -- between 417 and 634 hours a year from 2021-2024 compared to between 678 and 913 sitting hours a year from 1972-1975.
And they fought three elections during that time -- compared to one in the last four years.
And they fought three elections during that time -- compared to one in the last four years.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
5/ Parliament does not sit for as long as it used to -- between 417 and 634 hours a year from 2021-2024 compared to between 678 and 913 sitting hours a year from 1972-1975.
And they fought three elections during that time -- compared to one in the last four years.
And they fought three elections during that time -- compared to one in the last four years.
4/ Australians are less represented than ever, with the average local MP now representing 121,000 people -- compared to 65,000 each in 1975.
Australia is long-overdue for an increase in the number of parliamentarians.
Australia is long-overdue for an increase in the number of parliamentarians.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
4/ Australians are less represented than ever, with the average local MP now representing 121,000 people -- compared to 65,000 each in 1975.
Australia is long-overdue for an increase in the number of parliamentarians.
Australia is long-overdue for an increase in the number of parliamentarians.
3/ Parliament is much more diverse, both in terms of Indigenous Australian representation and women.
Whitlam's "It's time" election was with 93 male Labor MPs and senators and *no* women.
Now women are a majority in the Labor caucus.
Whitlam's "It's time" election was with 93 male Labor MPs and senators and *no* women.
Now women are a majority in the Labor caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
3/ Parliament is much more diverse, both in terms of Indigenous Australian representation and women.
Whitlam's "It's time" election was with 93 male Labor MPs and senators and *no* women.
Now women are a majority in the Labor caucus.
Whitlam's "It's time" election was with 93 male Labor MPs and senators and *no* women.
Now women are a majority in the Labor caucus.
2/ The independent and minor party vote has gone from 4% to 34%.
1975 was the last year where a major party or coalition won a majority of the primary vote.
1975 was the last year where a major party or coalition won a majority of the primary vote.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
2/ The independent and minor party vote has gone from 4% to 34%.
1975 was the last year where a major party or coalition won a majority of the primary vote.
1975 was the last year where a major party or coalition won a majority of the primary vote.
How democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts:
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
How democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts:
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
1/ The crossbench has grown from 3 in the Senate to 20 in the Senate and 13 in the House, making blocking supply much more difficult than it was for Malcolm Fraser.
ABC News and the Canberra Times showed a lot of interest in the citizens' jury back in the day.
Spot a (much younger) Bill in the crowd --
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04...
Spot a (much younger) Bill in the crowd --
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04...
November 5, 2025 at 12:02 AM
ABC News and the Canberra Times showed a lot of interest in the citizens' jury back in the day.
Spot a (much younger) Bill in the crowd --
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04...
Spot a (much younger) Bill in the crowd --
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04...
The proposed $50 fee per FOI request will make it harder to get information out of government, but do practically nothing to reduce the overall cost of the scheme.
October 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The proposed $50 fee per FOI request will make it harder to get information out of government, but do practically nothing to reduce the overall cost of the scheme.
It takes four public servants to do what took just one under the Howard Government.
That explains why administrative costs have more than tripled.
That explains why administrative costs have more than tripled.
October 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
It takes four public servants to do what took just one under the Howard Government.
That explains why administrative costs have more than tripled.
That explains why administrative costs have more than tripled.
The Freedom of Information system is so inefficient and expensive *because* it's secretive
-- in last year of Howard Govt, there were 27,500 FOI requests granted in full, vs just 4,500 granted in full in 2023-24.
-- in last year of Howard Govt, there were 27,500 FOI requests granted in full, vs just 4,500 granted in full in 2023-24.
October 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The Freedom of Information system is so inefficient and expensive *because* it's secretive
-- in last year of Howard Govt, there were 27,500 FOI requests granted in full, vs just 4,500 granted in full in 2023-24.
-- in last year of Howard Govt, there were 27,500 FOI requests granted in full, vs just 4,500 granted in full in 2023-24.
Govt fearmongering about AI writing Freedom of Information requests, vexatious applicants and a swamped eSafety Commission is overstated.
The FOI workload is actually at a low point for the decade.
The FOI workload is actually at a low point for the decade.
October 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Govt fearmongering about AI writing Freedom of Information requests, vexatious applicants and a swamped eSafety Commission is overstated.
The FOI workload is actually at a low point for the decade.
The FOI workload is actually at a low point for the decade.
Govt leans heavily on eSafety Commissioner receiving 600 FOI requests in one year.
However frivolous they may be, they were overwhelmingly for personal info - so fees wouldn't apply.
And at just 1 or 2% of all FOIs, they are not the reason the system is so expensive in money and work-hours.
However frivolous they may be, they were overwhelmingly for personal info - so fees wouldn't apply.
And at just 1 or 2% of all FOIs, they are not the reason the system is so expensive in money and work-hours.
September 3, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Govt leans heavily on eSafety Commissioner receiving 600 FOI requests in one year.
However frivolous they may be, they were overwhelmingly for personal info - so fees wouldn't apply.
And at just 1 or 2% of all FOIs, they are not the reason the system is so expensive in money and work-hours.
However frivolous they may be, they were overwhelmingly for personal info - so fees wouldn't apply.
And at just 1 or 2% of all FOIs, they are not the reason the system is so expensive in money and work-hours.
The Albanese Government wants to charge Australians for making a freedom of information request.
Makes dubious claims about tech being used to overwhelm the system.
In truth? Govt workload one of the lowest in the last 20 years.
Makes dubious claims about tech being used to overwhelm the system.
In truth? Govt workload one of the lowest in the last 20 years.
September 2, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The Albanese Government wants to charge Australians for making a freedom of information request.
Makes dubious claims about tech being used to overwhelm the system.
In truth? Govt workload one of the lowest in the last 20 years.
Makes dubious claims about tech being used to overwhelm the system.
In truth? Govt workload one of the lowest in the last 20 years.
Senator @davidshoebridge.bsky.social has introduced a private member's bill that would protect the right to protest.
@australiainstitute.org.au polling research last year finds 71% of Australians support protest protections.
@australiainstitute.org.au polling research last year finds 71% of Australians support protest protections.
August 27, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Senator @davidshoebridge.bsky.social has introduced a private member's bill that would protect the right to protest.
@australiainstitute.org.au polling research last year finds 71% of Australians support protest protections.
@australiainstitute.org.au polling research last year finds 71% of Australians support protest protections.
Four interesting graphs breaking down past election results from Mark the Ballot.
The first shows how the Albanese Govt made history with a swing towards them after their first term.
The first shows how the Albanese Govt made history with a swing towards them after their first term.
August 8, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Four interesting graphs breaking down past election results from Mark the Ballot.
The first shows how the Albanese Govt made history with a swing towards them after their first term.
The first shows how the Albanese Govt made history with a swing towards them after their first term.
Labor won almost two-thirds of seats at the last federal election, a testament to Australians strongly preferring them to the Lib-Nat Coalition.
But as my colleague @skyelark.bsky.social writes for @australiainstitute.org.au, the gap between primary votes and seats won is historically large.
But as my colleague @skyelark.bsky.social writes for @australiainstitute.org.au, the gap between primary votes and seats won is historically large.
August 5, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Labor won almost two-thirds of seats at the last federal election, a testament to Australians strongly preferring them to the Lib-Nat Coalition.
But as my colleague @skyelark.bsky.social writes for @australiainstitute.org.au, the gap between primary votes and seats won is historically large.
But as my colleague @skyelark.bsky.social writes for @australiainstitute.org.au, the gap between primary votes and seats won is historically large.
Aboriginal Tent Embassy a permanent protest established on 26 January 1972 in response to attempts to restrict land rights. The embassy was forced to move, but in 1992 returned to the original site.
Gough Whitlam visited the site to discuss the embassy’s demands.
Gough Whitlam visited the site to discuss the embassy’s demands.
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Aboriginal Tent Embassy a permanent protest established on 26 January 1972 in response to attempts to restrict land rights. The embassy was forced to move, but in 1992 returned to the original site.
Gough Whitlam visited the site to discuss the embassy’s demands.
Gough Whitlam visited the site to discuss the embassy’s demands.
Anti-apartheid activists disrupted 1971 South African rugby tour. Protesters “blew whistles, held up placards, and ran onto the field if possible” to interrupt matches.
Sir Don Bradman cancelled 1972 cricket tour: “We will not play them until they choose a team on a non-racist basis”.
Sir Don Bradman cancelled 1972 cricket tour: “We will not play them until they choose a team on a non-racist basis”.
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Anti-apartheid activists disrupted 1971 South African rugby tour. Protesters “blew whistles, held up placards, and ran onto the field if possible” to interrupt matches.
Sir Don Bradman cancelled 1972 cricket tour: “We will not play them until they choose a team on a non-racist basis”.
Sir Don Bradman cancelled 1972 cricket tour: “We will not play them until they choose a team on a non-racist basis”.
When the first Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978 marched beyond permit, 53 were charged. NSW Police bashed protestor Peter Murphy.
Later rallies made police drop charges; parliament changed protest laws, expanded anti-discrimination protections and decriminalised homosexuality.
Later rallies made police drop charges; parliament changed protest laws, expanded anti-discrimination protections and decriminalised homosexuality.
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
When the first Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978 marched beyond permit, 53 were charged. NSW Police bashed protestor Peter Murphy.
Later rallies made police drop charges; parliament changed protest laws, expanded anti-discrimination protections and decriminalised homosexuality.
Later rallies made police drop charges; parliament changed protest laws, expanded anti-discrimination protections and decriminalised homosexuality.
Young men protested conscription to Vietnam War by burning their draft cards. Commentators said they were doing it for the attention.
Protesters interrupted US President LBJ, blocked his car: “Hey, hey, LBJ: How many kids did you kill today?”
Protesters interrupted US President LBJ, blocked his car: “Hey, hey, LBJ: How many kids did you kill today?”
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Young men protested conscription to Vietnam War by burning their draft cards. Commentators said they were doing it for the attention.
Protesters interrupted US President LBJ, blocked his car: “Hey, hey, LBJ: How many kids did you kill today?”
Protesters interrupted US President LBJ, blocked his car: “Hey, hey, LBJ: How many kids did you kill today?”
Port Kembla dockworkers went on strike in 1938 to stop iron exports to Japan - which had committed mass murder of civilians and POWs in China.
Menzies called it "a provocative act against a friendly power" but grateful Chinese-Australians sent food to striking workers.
Menzies called it "a provocative act against a friendly power" but grateful Chinese-Australians sent food to striking workers.
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Port Kembla dockworkers went on strike in 1938 to stop iron exports to Japan - which had committed mass murder of civilians and POWs in China.
Menzies called it "a provocative act against a friendly power" but grateful Chinese-Australians sent food to striking workers.
Menzies called it "a provocative act against a friendly power" but grateful Chinese-Australians sent food to striking workers.
When the original Parliament House opened in 1927, no Indigenous Australians were invited - but Wiradjuri elders Jimmy Clements and John Noble walked the 93km to the opening.
They came to talk about injustices – including being forced to work without pay and children being taken away.
They came to talk about injustices – including being forced to work without pay and children being taken away.
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
When the original Parliament House opened in 1927, no Indigenous Australians were invited - but Wiradjuri elders Jimmy Clements and John Noble walked the 93km to the opening.
They came to talk about injustices – including being forced to work without pay and children being taken away.
They came to talk about injustices – including being forced to work without pay and children being taken away.
In 1898, two hundred women "invaded" the Legislative Council club room to "pressure members to pass a women's suffrage bill".
Sixty years later, feminists locked themselves to a hotel bar they weren't allowed to drink at. The paternalistic law was repealed.
Sixty years later, feminists locked themselves to a hotel bar they weren't allowed to drink at. The paternalistic law was repealed.
July 30, 2025 at 12:56 AM
In 1898, two hundred women "invaded" the Legislative Council club room to "pressure members to pass a women's suffrage bill".
Sixty years later, feminists locked themselves to a hotel bar they weren't allowed to drink at. The paternalistic law was repealed.
Sixty years later, feminists locked themselves to a hotel bar they weren't allowed to drink at. The paternalistic law was repealed.
Echoes @australiainstitute.org.au research with my colleague Skye, "the overall number of Liberal women has not increased significantly for a decade." australiainstitute.org.au/post/gender-...
June 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Echoes @australiainstitute.org.au research with my colleague Skye, "the overall number of Liberal women has not increased significantly for a decade." australiainstitute.org.au/post/gender-...
The Liberal Party had a target of 50% women parliamentarians by this year, but they are far short.
And most of the improvement has been due to Liberal men losing their seats, not Liberal women winning seats.
And most of the improvement has been due to Liberal men losing their seats, not Liberal women winning seats.
June 19, 2025 at 12:41 AM
The Liberal Party had a target of 50% women parliamentarians by this year, but they are far short.
And most of the improvement has been due to Liberal men losing their seats, not Liberal women winning seats.
And most of the improvement has been due to Liberal men losing their seats, not Liberal women winning seats.