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Anthony Ashbolt is the convenor of the politics program in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Wollongong. He is often quoted in the Illawarra media on issues of politics, and has most recently weighed in to the debate about political donations at a state level.
His extensive knowledge of the Australian political system meant he was able to comment on the benefits and pitfalls of Australian democracy.
“No system of government, in a sense, is a guarantee of genuinely popular representation simply because certain interests have access to the means of communication much more directly than other people,” he said.
In this interview, he spoke about the cross-over between local, state and federal politics in Australia, and how duplication at all three levels of government can lead to corruption in the system.
Dr Ashbolt said that, while democracy is sometimes a ‘forlorn hope,’ he hopes the sacking of Wollongong Council will have alerted the voting public so that they don’t re-elect corrupt councillors in the future.
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How should a democratic local council work?
What is the future of democracy in Wollongong?
Extended Interview
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