A Set of Tentative Proposals for the Augmentation of Australian Democracy*

In the game of chess, in finding a good move one should always look for a better one whilst at the same time guarding against checkmate…. 

Introduction

	I would like to nominate an open list of areas where we could discuss how democratic institutions in Australia could possibly be improved. To this list other possibilities can also be nominated. As a work in progress let us formulate what policies we might like to inaugurate under such headings… in the process observing what we think is currently deficient in that area under focus, and, where and how such deficiencies could be ameliorated. However, as this field of endeavour is vast, through restrictions on time, we will have to keep the formulation of these policies as tentative outlines deserving future re-examination and reformulation. Let me start this process by nominating the following areas for our critical appreciation (without this list reflecting the priorities we may feel these thematized policies should be seen to deserve):

1.	Simplified tax structure
2.	A very low broad-based transactional tax
3.	An integrated health care approach (using best world practices)
4.	An integrated education approach (using best world practices)
5.	Appropriate payment philosophy for politicians (and civil servants) 
6.	Appropriate re-numeration in general
7.	Electoral re-examination
8.	Republican aspirations
9.	Redirection of the military
10.	Global warming
11.	Energy production
12.	Diplomatic initiatives
13.	Aboriginal services
14.	A creative approach to the arts
15.	Infrastructure and house-building
16.	Support of agriculture, mining and industry
17.	Habitat protection (and integration)
18.	Parallel virtual Australia (putting services, archives, etc., online)
19.	Reconsideration of ‘border-protection’
20.	De-institutionalization of the legal system in general
21.	Increased democratization, transparency, regulation, enforcement…
22.	Other important topics that need to be re-addressed??? (0)

* Latest version of paper: www.homestead.com/noelshomepage/noelshomepage4.html 
(Proposals.rtf)
1.	Simplified tax structure

Say 10% GST; 20% company/personal tax; 10% on government services other than health and education; other taxes (like a transaction tax, etc.) say 10%
Promotion of positive multipliers (through directed investment into infrastructure and other more positively productive overt forms of investment…. (1)

2.	A very low broad-based transactional tax

Since the financial sector, through de-regulation, initiated the GFC, then a very small transaction tax could repair deficits, etc. Some of it could be headed in other directions, say overseas aid, support of infrastructure, etc.
There is a downside – need for world support. Business could go elsewhere. However, such a ‘fee’ could also check financial churning? Banks need to repay the damage done by same, etc. This is one form for doing this. There is a current need for increased taxes (in lieu of reduced government/semi-governmental spending). (2)

3.	An integrated health care approach (using best world practices)

Borrowing from best practices (by researching the same from) around the world – clinics, universal bulk-billing, government paid insurances, controlled costs, health seen as an investment, proactive health-services, etc. (3)

4.	An integrated education approach (using best world practices)

Investment funds headed towards universities which additionally support themselves on its dividend, etc. 
Appropriate user-pay systems but generous bursaries to compensate/over-compensate for same. 
Introduction and support of specialist subjects (without limits of numbers attending such classes) (4)

5.	Appropriate payment philosophy for politicians (and civil servants) 

Much better pay for politicians but less in the way of subsidies, allowances, etc. 
Key politicians should not be paid less that key government servants. (5)

6.	Appropriate re-numeration in general

How should we be paid, and, how should it be enlarged? (6)

7.	Electoral re-examination

Automatic enrolment? 
Fines for non-voting?
Better representation? Proportional representation in some minor form? (7)

8.	Republican aspirations

How to achieve same?
Type of arrangement (close paralleling to present situation?)?
A college of eminent persons? (8)

9.	Redirection of the military

Careful reconsideration of future military objectives (between offensive/projective capability, defensive capability, mutual support for both).
More efficiency in procurement and utilization, etc. (9)

10.	Global warming

Monitoring
Policies noting adaptation
Implementation of same
Reduced floodplain building/resumed near-coastal properties/non-development of such. Assisted changes in agricultural practices. (10)

11.	Energy production

Nuclear consideration
Increased re-newables
Cleaner coal technologies?
Achievable forms of carbon sequestration.
Reduced dependence upon motor cars.
Greater forms of energy efficiency.
Decreasing carbon footprint/increased private energy return to grid, etc. (11)

12.	Diplomatic initiatives

Support of UN (and reform of UN), local Asian-Pacific groups, etc. (12)

13.	Aboriginal services

Vastly augmented facilitation of Aboriginal services, by aboriginal peoples, in areas of health, policing, education, local self-government; introduction of forms of work in tribal areas (trades, businesses, services, minor manufacturing, manufacturing under license, etc.), etc. (13)

14.	A creative approach to the arts

A generous support of deserving artists.
Creation of various festivals… prize monies, etc. 
Artistic enhancement of cities, etc.
A dramatic place for the burial of great Australians (and a college of eminent citizens – Inside Black Mt. in Canberra?
Enhancement of the landscape with buildings for viewing, protection from the weather, enrichment of parks (with walled gardens, etc.). (14)

15.	Infrastructure and house-building

Promotion of increased housing stocks (in light of a realistic population policy)
Better urban transport infrastructure.
Improvement of interstate transport infrastructure.
Development of super-fast inter-state trains (as a possible substitute  for air-travel). (15)

16.	Support of agriculture, mining and industry

With a rising dollar industry will have a greater difficulty to export: can and should government help?
Too much mining will cause inflationary pressures to build in economy – should too great a degree of expansion be limited?
How can agriculture be supported given water constraints, possible effects of global warming?
How can all three sectors be cross-supported? When a certain commodity is greater than a certain US$ limit perhaps a small fraction of that extra-profit be headed to other areas of the economy? Perhaps not so much as subsidies but through infrastructure, tax-relief, etc? (16)

17.	Habitat protection (and integration)

Integration and preservation of key ecological types of environment. 
A(n expanded) program of introduced pest eradication and protected areas for species maintenance (with eventual re-introduction back into the wild).
A comprehensive national fire policy and statistical monitoring. (17)

18.	Parallel virtual Australia (putting services, archives, etc., online)

An integrated paralleling of Australian political  and non-political services, archives, etc. 
Broadband connectivity, local development of applications, etc. (18)

19.	Reconsideration of ‘border-protection’

Reconsideration of boat-people arrivals; over-stayers; refugee assistance in community (with access to work no access to work for a limited period of time prior to settlement/re-settlement/deportation?)? (19)

20.	De-institutionalization of the legal system in general

Increased democratization of institution.
Assistance to do-it-yourself legal defence.
Increased mediation with positive and negative incentives for same.
Increase democratization of appointments. (20)

21.	Increased democratization, transparency, regulation, enforcement…

Through increased democratic representation (of government, schools, universities, hospitals, other institutions, etc.).
Through greater transparency (as the default position in that regard).
Through greater degrees of responsive/responsible regulation when and where appropriate.
Through greater monitoring of the former and enforcement when and where necessary if not rectified in that regard. (21)

22.	Other topics for consideration

??? (22)

Conclusion

	The list above is an open one. Collectively, the detail noted in such topics is a starting point for discussion and not an end-point if the proposal in question does not survive close and careful scrutiny. Is there a general philosophy behind how we might go about refining our objectives? Yes, perhaps? Through adopting an existential position (as a non-position through the utilization of an overall transcendental suspension, etc.). Hence the retrospective determination of existential hall-marks on a later date in order to test to what extent this sense of the existential was substantiated. Invocation of existential re-direction, etc. Promotion of increased democratic representation, transparency (as a default position), increased responsive/responsible regulation, and, enforcement of the same when and where necessary if problems in such are not rectified! (23) N, 12.11.09.

Postscript: The Need for the Recognition of an Existential Approach to Governance

	Today, in a number of democracies, there is an urgent need for a new approach to governance, namely, the recognition of existential governance and its augmentation! For too long much of government has been conducted on a knife-edge between two now obsolete doctrinaire points of view, i.e., a socialist-left and a conservative-right. We have transcended such dichotomies through the exigencies of modern life and our politicians need to do the same! Government must actively enter the political arena since it can be shown that capitalistic structures will not deliver certain types of services in certain types of situations if not over-subsidized. On the other hand, enlarging or decreasing the so-called size of big government is not a solution since what must change is the quality of that type of exercise… and its efficiency. In this greater (and not lesser) (carefully constructed) democratically inspired representation is called for at all levels of society and in the community, as well as in business and other forms of social process and production. Furthermore, three other pillars are desperately called for, namely, transparency, regulation and enforcement (as appropriate when and where called for). Hence this formula of democratization, transparency, regulation and enforcement when and where proper, appropriate and valid (as demonstrated in an augmented existentially oriented value-formation)! Moreover, this re-negotiated revolution in thinking needs to be monitored in and through and beyond an existential point of view that aptly judges short-term, medium-term and long-term needs and objectives. Then, importantly, this existential attitude needs to be inserted into an ecologically friendly, minimal energy/maximum efficiency perspective with the lowest carbon-footprint possible, etc. Not only must we act wiser but we must also be interconnected wiser so that through emergence of new approaches and synergy of endeavours we can collectively and critically reach our objectives be they collective and/or individualistic in orientation. In all of this a certain self-sustainability of self-correcting institutions is to be the new desired norm in inter-cooperative behaviour, a sense of practice that transcends the old unproductive, blinkered, political habits of a more or less traditional socialist or/and conservative style of government. Indeed, a form of existential governance that effectively synthesizes the aspirations of both archaic styles of thinking without the rigidities when the former become over-enacted! (24)
							      Noël Tointon, Sydney, 13.11, 09.
Appendix A: An Examination of the Transformational Nature of Policy Directives

The concept of a policy as a directive will be viewed in the light of a transformational treatment-retreatment philosophy as developed elsewhere and reviewed in and through and beyond an ordered lens. To focus this hypothetical investigation I will apply these theoretical and critical tools to the topic of Aboriginal Health in Australia in order to demonstrate in outline how we might apply such an approach to this type of task. (25)

	A policy is a directive or re-directive formulated in outline (say, for a political pamphlet) or in detail (say, as a map for a concerted effort to change the social landscape in that regard). In this light it can be viewed as instrument for directing a process of transformation through process mapping. Such a transformation is usually intended in a non-adverse light, however, re-directives can also be established as an exercise in financial restraint, as an instrument for a greater degree of efficiency in a marshalling of resources both financial and/or non-financial, and/or, for obviating unintended consequences both expected and/or unexpected in origins. (26)

	This transformational perspective opens itself to an ordered analysis, i.e., a technical investigation under six interconnected headings, namely, pre-essential factors, questions of aesthetical harmonization of nominated problema (whose resolution are expressed as the objectives of that policy), a serious noting of de-ontological issues, careful formulation of pragmatical consideration, and examination of practical possibilities (and pathways for the realization of the same), and, factual considerations before, during and after this overall intentionally directed/re-directed process of transformation to be carefully evaluated in the light of valid key indicators established in evidence based forms of practice). Technically all directives are ‘re-directives’ by virtue of the fact that all proposals and processes involve the re-negotiation of re-adopted and re-adapted genres of engagement (themselves an amalgam of genres of ontological encounter and epistemological recognition). As argued recently, all existentially oriented processes of re-negotiation are arrived at in and through and beyond processes of overall transcendental suspension and suspension of the same, etc. Hence the ongoing realization of processes of existential re-alignment. By such means a sense of commitment is to be realized through a process of existential re-commitment (and not the privileging of prior states of commitment)! (27)

	By ‘existential’ is meant that excess of value spontaneously emitted in and through and beyond a relationship, equally from every point in that relationship, albeit from its own sense of perspective, and, therein and thereafter, apparently circulated in that relational economy albeit subjected to temporal and/or spatial degradation through non-absolute re-iterative simulation/re-simulation. (28)

	Let me now apply an ordered analysis in an ordering of increased epistemological complexity in epistemological organization (i.e., the involvement of higher levels of epistemological functioning on the basis of relatively less complex levels of epistemological organization). Moreover, let us also regard such complexity as also a process of simplexity through gestalt integration as exercised in its epistemological complexity and as found reflected in all intentional deposition (through the deposition of this excess in value-formation). (29)

	In a pre-essential analysis of essential factors we need to note fields (of subjects [and agents]), agents, activities and objects of non-agency acted upon by agents, etc. So, in the light of an accepted need for re-directed delivery of health services to aboriginal clients (in the light of key indicators like relatively adverse death rates in comparison to the rest of the population, etc.) let us note three fields, namely, indigenous communities, rural towns with high aboriginal populations and urban suburbs or regions with concentrations and/or non-concentrations of aboriginal residents. These three (or four) fields at face-value would seem to need different policy settings in order to expedite this desired degree of additional delivery of service (until valid key indicators indicate some form of persisting parity with the general population). Then, ‘actors’ are those professional and semi-professional people assisting in this delivery of health care. In this instance activities are procedures delivered by health professional and their proxies, etc. In the light of the general acceptance that distinctive communities are better assisted by their own members, in the quest for a greater degree of self-autonomy, then policy directives should also endeavour to utilize and co-opt members of those communities as a considerable fraction of those deliverers of such procedures. Lastly, the content of those procedural processes, such as medicines, diagnostic equipment, etc., also need to be noted. All directives addressing quantitative and qualitative issues in regard to the former agents, etc. Because all information cannot be absolutely replicated (nor absolutely deleted) (at least from a philosophical perspective) it follows that all key indicators can only be seen as generally representative of both those fields and attendant changes apparently engineered therein (along with unexpected consequences should they be of a relative magnitude that they too need to be noted and reacted to). (30)

	In an integrated essential perspective questions of harmonic resolution are approached in order to better appreciate problematic issues, intentional pathways of resolution along with matters of an increased sense of simplexity evolving from the former (and as an indicator of relative success of intervention be that direct and or indirect in manner, etc.). In this regard we seek the overall general, particular and specific modes of integration of fields, etc., as nominated as relevant in our pre-essential analysis. By ‘modes’ is meant relevant genres of engagement adopted and adapted in and through and beyond processes of re-negotiation (i.e., as noted through past performances, current performances and possible future performances). (31)

	In de-ontological considerations we note necessary duties of care that need to be delivered (and in response to the same, set out to formulate quantitative and qualitative measures as objectives-to-be-obtained in order to re-direct procedures to the achievement of those re-defined objectives). Relevant valid key indicators can be constructed, when and where appropriate, proper and valid, through reference to an objective differential between goals to-be-achieved and goals already-achieved (and expressed in such terms or terms adequately translated from that perspective). We are also formulating and evaluating the conceptual richness of our objective mapping(s) in that regard. E.g., because of this objective difference between how things are found simulated and could be non-adversely re-simulated we find an expression for the degree of de-ontological difference therein found simulated/re-simulated in that field or those fields under investigation. (32)

	In a pragmatical analysis, we seek to adopt greater degrees of efficiency in our modes of re-direction through the co-opting of those agents, subjects, procedures, etc., in the objective light of our policy objectives. By ‘objective’ is merely meant what is to-be-intentionally desired as policy goals to be achieved through such (re-)directives. The pragmatical is also rooted in descriptive pre-occupations, i.e., through a representative perceptual re-simulation of the social landscape focused upon by the apposite policy directives concerned with that field/s in question or aspect/s of that field/s in question. E.g., we might find that the co-option of teachers could be an invaluable avenue for the reporting of childhood diseases impacting upon their education such as, e.g., acute and chronic middle ear infections, eye infections, possible instances of defective vision (and in need of glasses, medication, etc.) etc. (33)

	By hermeneutic considerations we evaluate proactively, actively or retrospectively possible and practicable pathways for the realization of such policy objectives. In this regard we could note what directives have appeared to have been successful or partially successful and adopt and adapt the same, etc. (34)

	Lastly, factual considerations attempt to evaluate to what extent policy directives/re-directives have non-adversely and/or adversely impacted upon the social landscape in question through an evaluation of valid key indicators, overall harmony and resoluteness of functions, etc., implicated through this process of engineered transformation. Through the progressive-regressive re-circulation of economic value certain multipliers and anti-multipliers will be operating to enhance and/or de-enhance the consequences of such policies in application (to that degree, if at all, they appear to have an accelerated/de-accelerated impact in that intended regard). (35)

	Although policies can be complicated, complexity can be navigated through a recognition of simplexity and the existential fact that negotiation effectively is always through a process of re-negotiation hence the starting point for all policy directives, more correctly, policy re-directives. (36)

	Lastly, all policies will implicate some form of a narrative by virtue of what genres are implicated, etc. This policy narrative should be spelt out in policy objectives. Such a narrative is best subsumed in an over-arching narrative. So, e.g., in the light of our proposal outline on Aboriginal Health Objectives and Delivery this articulated narrative is best integrated into an overall Aboriginal Policy Objective by noting the non-adverse and/or adverse influences of housing, employment, policing, infrastructure, etc., that must also impinge on the delivery of health care. Hence the necessity for the formation of an overall Aboriginal Policy in this regard. Paramount in the formation of such a re-directive stake-holders must be actively involved at all stages of its formulations, deployments and re-evaluations, etc. (37)
							       Noël Tointon, Sydney, 14.11.09.
Appendix B: Instigation and Redirection of Policy Directives

	In Appendix A the transformational nature of policy directives was examined. In this section let me outline possible positions for the instigation of the application of a process of redirection. Redirection by virtue of the need to adopt and adapt the utilization of previous genres of engagement in order to enter into a process of (relatively non-chaotic) redirection or (relatively chaotic) re-direction. In Appendix A a top-down version of a policy-proposal was outlined. However, in the genuinely receptive involvement of stake-holders a down-up direction could also be inaugurated. E.g., operatives on the ground, so to speak, could be monitored in order to ascertain the mix of procedures actually being entered into and noting the voicing of other types of procedure that could also be beneficially engaged. In the light of the same, through extrapolation, needed resources could then be projected and from the same theoretical conditions for the successful instantiation of that proposal’s sense of direction/redirection/re-direction could be computed, etc. Then, both policy directions (of up-down and down-up) could be combined to estimate the most efficient utilization of resources given a variety or spectrum of inputs versus projected outputs situated in various financial constraints subject to their restraints of time, projected levels of professional participators and non-professional participants. In our example of the augmentation of Aboriginal health services, in order to achieve improved outcomes, the work of a number of operatives at the coal-face, so to speak, could be observed in order to then compute through projection the quantity and quality of resources needed to better achieve the range of outcomes thought desirable and achievable. In a similar fashion this type of approach could also be entered into at a state level, at the level of a township or city, a distinctive community setting or a domestic family setting etc. In effect, putting in play, a more attuned sense of representation through re-presentation (and better modelling through a more detailed sense of a better informed overall transcendental suspension). Furthermore, interconnections, both horizontal and vertical, to better integrate our understanding through simulation/resimulation as to the nature of the dynamics possibly and/or actually involved or needed to be involved in the redirection/s of such outcomes. Lastly, that the nature of responsibility needed to instigate the re-direction of such policy directions must effectively alter at every distinctive level of emergence therein and yet must also bear a certain consistent degree of responsibility for what is achieved or not achieved on the ‘ground’, the ultimate target of such directives! An evaluation of the same co-opting a certain form of supervision that is both responsive and responsible for the theoretical, practical and critical changes in direction (and even able to be critical of past performances be they theoretical, practical and/or critical in orientation. Thence the need for a critical meta-supervision of the formulation, instantiation and evaluation of policy directives as redirectives, etc). Overall, despite such policy complexity, an augmented degree of responsive and responsible simplexity is to be aimed for in and through and beyond the orchestration and participation of such processes of redirection. Such processes of adaptation, whether closely fine-tuned or radically re-directive, demand a form of intuitive supervision where, to my mind, a few key critical indicators need to be garnered and assessed in order to demonstrate the evidence based effectiveness of such interventions more after the commission of such events and not before. Such an assembly of information should be re-garnered to support such suppositions rather than an expensive blanket search through the mere accumulation of data whose powers of representation are in no way fine-tuned. Moreover, such closely targeted information should also be instrumental in the micro-adaptive re-re-direction of policy directives and not mere passive reflections of the current state of play buried in the depths of such mindless, non-hermeneutically controlled accumulations of information (that may or may not be able to be interpreted as a close representation/re-presentation of the reality of situation apparently targeted in such a relatively non-focused investigation)!   (38)

							        Noël Tointon, Sydney, 19.1109.