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A Matter of Conscience? The Democratic Significance of 'Conscience Votes' in Legislating Bioethics in Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 00:54 authored by Ross, K, Susan Dodds, Ankeny, RAIn Australia members of a political party are expected to vote as a block on the instructions of their party. Occasionally a 'conscience vote' (or 'free vote') is allowed, which releases parliamentarians from the obligation to maintain party discipline and permits them to vote according to their 'conscience.' In recent years Australia has had a number of conscience votes in federal Parliament, many of which have focused on bioethical issues (e.g., euthanasia, abortion, RU486, and embryonic/stem cell research and cloning). This paper examines the use of conscience votes in six key case studies in these contested areas of policy-making, with particular attention to their implications for promoting democratic values and the significance of women's Parliamentary participation.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Australian Journal of Social IssuesVolume
44Pagination
121-144ISSN
0157-6321Department/School
School of HumanitiesPublisher
Australian Council Social Service IncPlace of publication
Locked Bag 4777, Level 2 619 Elizabeth St Redfern,Rights statement
Copyright 2009 Australian Social Policy AssociationRepository Status
- Restricted