14 July 2025

When one part of society changes, it takes time for other affected areas to change. The sociologist, William Ogburn, explained in his book, Social Change with Respect to Culture and Original Nature published in 1922, that a society’s culture had different related parts. All the parts don’t change at the same rate at the same time. 

But a change in any one part can create strains and disturbances in the other closely related parts. Adjustments restore harmony, but their effects take time to become apparent. Ogburn called the phenomenon cultural lag.

Tasmania’s politics is experiencing cultural lag. What voters want has changed. They made it clear in last year’s election they wanted neither of the major parties to have a majority. Opinion polls for next Saturday’s election say the same thing. But the major parties haven’t got to the harmony stage as they continue to decry a power-sharing parliament. A recent YouGov poll, commissioned by The Australia Institute, found the respective percentage of voters who thought the Labor and Liberal parties should seek to form a government with the crossbench, including the Greens, was 55% and 48%.

The major parties warn that governments that don’t have a majority are unstable, but an Australia Institute study of 25 power-sharing governments showed most complete their full term. If Tasmanians elect a power-sharing parliament, it is incumbent on members to make it work. It has happened before in Tasmania, and in other Australian and international jurisdictions.

At a recent panel discussion, Power and Partnership, hosted by the Australia Institute, trust was a frequent refrain from panellists former Labor Premier David Bartlett, former Greens leader Christine Milne and Legislative Councillor for Elwick, Bec Thomas.

Ms. Thomas said effective relationships were essential for achieving anything, which didn’t require participants to “like each other, agree on everything, or even share the same values.” But she had some good advice for parliamentarians who may be at the negotiating table to form the next government:

• Engage on issues from a position of mutual respect and trust 
• Listen to hear and try to understand, rather than listen to respond 
• Negotiate and compromise 
• Do what you say you’ll do. 

Working to form effective relationships isn’t just essential during the government formation stage; it is also vital throughout the term of the parliament. Tasmania’s future depends on our MPs, whom we have given the honour of representing us, working together effectively.