749 南澳選舉的啟示

南澳州議會選舉, 工黨政府取得連任, 但支持度卻減少了。一國黨得票率超過自由黨及綠黨, 可以說是最大贏家。自由黨一敗塗地, 令人感到澳洲傳統兩黨政治, 已經是一去不復返。

從2022年聯邦大選, 數位獨立候選人取得下議院議席開始, 不少澳洲人都在問, 維持了相當長時間的工黨與自由黨及國家黨聯盟輪流執政的兩黨政治, 在澳洲社會是否已走到末路? 2025年聯邦大選, 獨立議員大多都能連任, 反映出選民較為重視議員表現, 而不再考量政黨的政綱。今天南澳州的選舉, 更是反映出在2022年以後, 澳洲選民放棄傳統政黨的決心。

兩黨政治的優勢, 是在於反對黨起著監察政府, 並且對執政黨施政作出深入研究, 通過選民的支持, 對政策提供修訂, 堵塞施政漏洞。又或是政府在長期施政失效後, 在下一次大選中給選民另類的選擇。不過, 近年來, 兩大政黨提出的主要政策, 立場都變得模糊不清, 並沒有很大的分別。而各政黨內部的人事及派系鬥爭, 與及政客個人行為失誤, 大大削弱了普遍選民對政黨的認同及支持。近年來工黨及自由黨合在一起, 只能取得約一半選民的首選票, 正正表示澳洲人對兩大政黨的表現都失去信心。

現時聯邦議會只有下議院有獨立議員。他們的困局是作為個體戶, 時間及資源匱乏, 他們縱使很有看法及付上極大努力, 也無法就所有政策作出深入理解、分析、及研究。因此, 他們只能在自己所特別關注的政策, 或充份掌握的專業範圍,向執政黨提意見, 爭取政府採納。在現時聯邦及各州執政政府取得絕大多數議席,隨時可以通過任何議案的情況下, 獨立候選人往往變成只有發言機會, 卻沒有左右議案被通過的能力, 變成可有可無。 

不過, 由於聯邦及各州肩負著審議政府議案責任的上議院, 執政黨都沒有絕對控制權, 因此上議院的獨立議員, 有時比起反對黨, 更加有能力影響及修訂政府施政。 獨立上議院議員可以通過與政府就修訂議案作出談判及進行協商, 把自己對相關政策的看法, 要求執政黨接納, 才支持議案通過, 從而把議案變得更完善。

不過, 上議院的選區, 比下議院的議席大得多, 獨立候選人不容易把自己向全國或是全州選民推介, 因此在聯邦及州選舉中, 極少人會考慮成為獨立候選人參選。不過, 在現時兩大政黨都失去選民支持的情況下, 或許這一個情況會很快改變。

周偉文 社長

Reflections on the South Australian Election

In the South Australian state election, the Labor government secured re-election, but with its level of support declined. One Nation’s vote share surpassed both the Liberal Party and the Greens, making it arguably the biggest winner. The Liberal Party suffered a crushing defeat, reinforcing the sense that Australia’s traditional two-party system may be fading into the past.

Since the 2022 federal election, when several independent candidates won seats in the House of Representatives, many Australians have been asking whether the long-standing two-party system—dominated by Labor and the Liberal–National Coalition—has reached its end. In the 2025 federal election, most independent MPs managed to retain their seats, reflecting that voters are placing greater emphasis on individual performance rather than party platforms. The latest South Australian election further demonstrates that, since 2022, Australian voters have been increasingly willing to abandon traditional party loyalties.

The strength of a two-party system lies in the opposition’s role in scrutinizing the government, thoroughly examining its policies, and proposing revisions backed by voter support to keep check on loopholes. It also provides voters with an alternative choice when a government fails over time. However, in recent years, the major parties’ policy positions have become increasingly blurred, with little meaningful distinction between them. Internal factional struggles and personal misconduct among politicians have further eroded public trust and party identification. The fact that Labor and the Liberal Party together now secure only about half of first-preference votes clearly indicates a loss of confidence among Australians in both major parties.

At present, independent MPs exist only in the House of Representatives at the federal level. Their challenge lies in functioning as individuals with limited time and resources. Despite their devoted opinions and efforts, they cannot thoroughly analyze and research every policy area. As a result, they tend to focus on issues of particular concern or within their expertise while offering suggestions to the government and advocating for their support. In a situation where federal and state governments often hold overwhelming majorities and can pass legislation with ease, independent MPs frequently find themselves able to speak but unable to influence outcomes—rendering them somewhat marginal.

However, in the Senate and state upper houses—where governments rarely hold absolute control—independent members can sometimes wield greater influence than opposition parties. By negotiating amendments with the government, independent senators can demand that their perspectives be incorporated into legislation in exchange for support, thereby streamlining policy outcomes.

That said, upper house constituencies are much larger than those of the lower house, making it difficult for independent candidates to promote themselves to a statewide or national electorate. As a result, few consider running as independents in federal or state elections. Nevertheless, as the major parties continue to lose public support, this situation may soon change.

Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher