Future Challenges: The Cost of Democracy

International expert on electoral law reform, Professor Keith Ewing delivered a Chifley Address at the ANU on his recent visit to Australia.

In his address Professor Ewing discussed the cultural impact on political parties of the “arms race” in campaign expenditure, which places pressure on party administrations to raise ever larger sums for election campaigns. Proposing a system of greater transparency and comprehensive expenditure caps, Professor Ewing’s experiences provide further input for Australia’s own debate in this area. Professor Ewing is a recognised expert on international campaign finance law reform and has worked closely with both the British Labour Party and trade unions. He is currently lecturing in law at King’s College, London. The full text of Professor Ewing’s address can be found here.