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Australia

Monthly Event Reports

October 2023 | Indigenous Voice referendum fails
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On 14 October, Australian voters decisively rejected a proposal (via referendum) to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution and to establish a First Nations voice in parliament. Voter turnout was at 89.95 per cent. The outcome maintains the status quo for representation of Indigenous communities and has been described by experts as a significant setback for Indigenous rights in the nation. Indigenous leaders noted that the defeat challenges ongoing reconciliation efforts, potentially leading to more confrontational discussions over Indigenous relations and issues concerning Indigenous rights. The referendum campaign encountered numerous challenges, including a lack of bipartisan support, misinformation, and a lack of detail about implementation of the Voice. In response to the defeat, Indigenous leaders called for a "week of silence" in mourning, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed the commitment to continuing the path toward reconciliation. 

August 2023 | First Australian state to outlaw Nazi salute

Following neo-Nazi protests earlier this year, Tasmania became the first Australian state to pass a law on 16 August to outlaw the display or performance of Nazi salutes and symbols. This legislation, set to take effect later this year, imposes hefty fines and up to a three-month prison term for first-time offenders. Minister of Justice Elise Archer acknowledges that such symbols and gestures "promote hate against not just Jewish people but also other minority groups." The bill includes exceptions to protect the swastika's use for religious and educational purposes unrelated to Nazi ideology. Simultaneously, Victoria, which banned the Nazi symbol last year, is progressing with a salute ban. Leading Jewish organizations have hailed Tasmania's move, hoping it encourages the federal government (currently considering a proposal to ban a few specific symbols nationwide) to follow suit.

June 2023 | National referendum for Indigenous Voice to the parliament moves ahead

On 19 June, Australia’s Senate approved legislation to hold a referendum on indigenous rights, clearing the last procedural obstacle toward a public vote that would acknowledge the indigenous population in the constitution and enhance their representation in parliament. The date for the referendum is yet to be set, however the legislation mandates that it is held no sooner than two months as well as no later than six months from 19 June . The Indigenous Voice to the Parliament, also known as the Voice, is a proposed federal advisory body that will be made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, chosen by Indigenous communities.

May 2023 | South Australia introduces harsh anti-protest bill

The South Australian government adopted a bill on 18 May increasing maximum fines from $750 to $50,000 or three months of jail time for persons obstructing the free passage of a public place. Human rights groups have criticized the hasty passage of the bill by both the lower and upper houses without public consultation, as well as raised concerns that the bill infringes on the right to peaceful protest. The law was prompted by three days of protests after climate activists took action outside an annual gathering of fossil fuel executives. Rights experts note that the legislation is part of a worrying trend wherein climate activists are increasingly becoming the target of harsh penalties over the past year.

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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
25 739 260
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (since 2022)
Head of government party
Australian Labor Party (ALP)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Alternative Vote
Women in lower or single chamber
38.4%
Women in upper chamber
56.6%
Last legislative election
2022
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
4.71
Head of state
King Charles III
Selection process for head of state
Hereditary or election by hereditary state rulers
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
20/01/2021
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
51.45%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
No Action
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Categories of Democratic Performance

Representation neutral Representation
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Representation neutral Rights
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Annual value

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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