Australia

Australia and International IDEA

Australia is one of the founding members of International IDEA.

Australia, an Alternative Vote democracy, has worked with IDEA since its formation in 1995 and provides funding to the overall work of the Institute.

A large part of IDEA’s funding comes from its member states “core contributions”, which finance the entire work programme of the Institute: Programme of Operations 2007-09. Each of IDEA’s member states is therefore involved and instrumental in IDEA’s work to promote democracy worldwide.

Highlights of International IDEA’s activities in relation to Australia:

• IDEA’s activities in Indonesia  This project aims to provide technical assistance in the electoral field and facilitate political dialogue, in addition to promoting increased participation by women in politics.
• IDEA’s BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) project in Africa.
• Collaborative research project between IDEA, the Center for Democratic Institutions, and the United Nations University exploring political party development in conflict-prone societies, targeting South Pacific and South East Asia.
• Australia has been providing assistance to Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council. Through International IDEA, Australia has been assisting the members of Indonesia’s Representative Council to fulfill legislative functions effectively.
• Legislative Framework for the Indonesian General Elections 2004, a user-friendly review of Indonesia’s electoral laws produced before the 2004 general elections.
• Voting By Mail: The International IDEA Technical Paper Series for Election Administrators (1999), prepared by the Australian Electoral Commission under the guidance of International IDEA.
  

Former IDEA Board member: Professor Colin Hughes, professor of Political Science, University of Queensland and former Electoral Commissioner of Australia.

Facts and figures about democracy in Australia

Using IDEA’s worldwide democracy and elections databases, learn more about:

• Australia’s electoral system (ACE),  ESD (Table of Electoral Systems Worldwide)
• Comparative data on election systems, laws, management and administration
• Voter turnout in Australia 1946-2004
• Information on electoral quotas for women in Australia
  
• Laws on funding of political parties in Australia