Democracy Counts is a growing alliance of organisations and Australians working together to renew and protect Australian democracy. 

The campaign brings together civil society organisations, experts, former politicians, community advocates and Australians who believe our democratic rules need to keep up with the world we live in now. 

Australia’s democracy is one of the world’s strongest. But decades of inaction have left our democracy vulnerable to the threats of the changing world.   

Today, misinformation moves faster than facts. Money and vested interests can have a louder voice than ordinary Australians. Political debate is too often dominated by attack rather than ideas, and the revolving door between politics and vested interests risks putting public interest second.   

Only 13% of Australians think our political system is working well. Democracy Counts is arriving at a critical moment, campaigning on practical commonsense reforms that can rebuild trust and renew our democracy.  

No. Democracy Counts is independent and non-partisan. 

The campaign is not about supporting one political party over another. It is about strengthening the rules, institutions and information systems that allow democracy to work for everyone. 

Democracy Counts is focused on six reform priorities: civics education and media literacy, electoral reform, lobbying reform, public service independence, public interest journalism, and social media and digital reform. 

You can read more about these reforms, and the research that informed this campaign here.

Democracy Counts is supported by a growing alliance of partner organisations, including the Centre for Public Integrity, Digital Rights Watch, the Local and Independent News Association, Sentiment and the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom. 

A full list of campaign partners is included on this page. 

Democracy Counts is powered by McKinnon, an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. 

McKinnon convenes and supports the campaign, helping bring partners together around shared priorities for democratic reform. 

Further information is available by visiting the McKinnon website here.

You can add your name to the campaign through the Count Me In section at the bottom of this page to hear more about our campaigning activities, events, and ways to get involved.

Democracy Counts is a growing alliance, and we welcome interest from organisations that share our commitment to practical, non-partisan democratic reform. 

Organisations interested in supporting the campaign can get in touch through the contact details provided on this website.