The Electoral Reform Society of South Australia closely monitors and analyses election results to highlight where our current voting systems fail to deliver truly representative outcomes. Our research and submissions over the years demonstrate the ongoing need for Proportional Representation using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) in all elections – federal, state, and local.
Below is a summary of key elections that have shaped our understanding of electoral fairness in South Australia and across the nation.
Commonwealth of Australia – Federal Elections
Federal Election 2004
In 2004, we made a detailed submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, drawing attention to the distortions created by the current voting system.
Our analysis revealed that despite high voter turnout and an effective voting process, many Australians’ votes still failed to influence the final outcome due to the winner-takes-all nature of the electoral system.
Federal Election 2001
Our 2001 submission to the same Committee raised similar concerns, emphasising that large sections of the electorate remained unrepresented.
The results once again demonstrated that even small vote swings can produce large and unbalanced shifts in seat distribution – a clear sign that our electoral framework does not accurately reflect the will of the people.
South Australia – State Elections
State Election 2002
At the 2002 State Election, 45.4% of South Australian voters – around 430,000 people – found that their votes (or preferences) did not help elect anyone.
Nearly half of all votes were effectively wasted, leaving many citizens without representation in the House of Assembly. This election starkly demonstrated the need for reform to ensure fairer outcomes for all voters.
State Election 1997
Similarly, during the 1997 State Election, 45.2% of voters – over 400,000 South Australians – saw their votes fail to elect a representative. The results left both major parties significantly over-represented:
- Liberal Party: 40% of first-preference votes → 49% of seats
- ALP: 35% of first-preference votes → 45% of seats
These figures highlight how the current system rewards concentrated support rather than broad representation, undermining the principle of “one vote, one value.”
Why This Matters
Elections should ensure that the makeup of Parliament reflects the true diversity of voter preferences. However, repeated results across both federal and state elections show that our existing electoral system falls short.
By adopting Proportional Representation (PR) through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) method, we can:
- Greatly reduce wasted votes
- Ensure fairer representation for smaller parties and independents
- Strengthen democracy by making every vote count
The Electoral Reform Society of South Australia continues to advocate for these essential reforms – so that future elections truly reflect the will of the people.