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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, RA
In 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 Issues

Volume

44

Pagination

121-144

ISSN

0157-6321

Department/School

School of Humanities

Publisher

Australian Council Social Service Inc

Place of publication

Locked Bag 4777, Level 2 619 Elizabeth St Redfern,

Rights statement

Copyright 2009 Australian Social Policy Association

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in philosophy and religious studies

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