Minority Government in the Australian States: From Ersatz Majoritarianism to Minoritarianism?

The paper demonstrates that minority governments have long been part of the Australian state political landscape. However, it argues that the dynamics of minority governments vary according to the Mode of Acton (individual or collective) and Motivation (particularistic or general challenge) of the balance of power holders. A model to this effect is presented and tested with reference, to the recent New South Wales and Western Australian minority governments. The former is described as a case of Minoritarianism and the latter as a mix of Ersatz Coalition and Ad Hoc Minoritarianism. The distinctive characteristics of minoritarianism are investigated, particularly with reference to their compatibility with consensus politics. The case of Tasmania demonstrates that, potential for minoritarianism notwithstanding, the nature of the consensus is still a function of the balance of policy preferences of all MPs in the House. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]