Should MPs give up their seat if they quit their party?

When a Federal MP defects from the party they were elected with, heated public debate follows. Should they resign from parliament and let the party fill the seat? Political defections have been an ongoing issue in the Australia parliament with 17 defections since 2016. What triggers a defection? The impacts are numerous, including on the operation of parliament. So, should there be a legal remedy as some have suggested? Are we well informed enough to judge the actions of a defecting MP? Do Australians vote for an individual or a party? Join us for a topical discussion of a changing Australian democracy.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Cathy Madden, Political Party Defections
• Cathy Madden, Recent party defections: should there be a legal remedy?
• The Conversation, Defections are fairly common in Australian politics. But history shows they are rarely a good career move
• ABC News, Federal Calare MP Andrew Gee quits National Party over Indigenous Voice to Parliament opposition
• ABC News, Hanson-Yo_ung says 'honourable' move is for Dorinda Cox to quit after defection_
• Sydney Morning Herald, From the Archives, 1997: Kernot's Labor gamble
• Anne Twomey, Should a Member of Parliament lose their seat if they defect from their political party?
• Anne Twomey, Anti-party defection laws – the legal and constitutional pitfalls

COURSE OUTLINE

• A short history of political defections in federal parliament.
• Identify the triggers for a defection.
• Overview of the numerous impacts, including on the operation of parliament.
• Summary of possible legal remedies.
• Discussion - Are we well informed enough to judge the actions of a defecting MP?
• Discussion - Do Australians vote for an individual or a political party?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Identify the triggers for political defections.
2. Assess the impacts of political defections.
3. Note possible legal remedies.
4. Evaluate if the public is well informed enough to judge the actions of MPs that defect.
5. Reflect on the question ‘Do Australians vote for individuals or political parties?’