Many Queenslanders are members of
interest groups: as participants in a
church society; school association;
conservation group; trade union or
business organisation. Interest groups,
acting as pressure groups, have become
increasingly important as a means by
which individuals can attempt to influence
governments regarding their particular
requirements. Although individuals within
a representative democracy possess rights,
allowing them to lobby parliamentarians
and governments concerning pertinent
issues, a collective approach can often
exert more powerful pressure on decisionmakers, as well as consolidating a range of
similar ideas and opinions into a cohesive
format.
There are difficulties in defining the many
types of pressure groups. For example,
political parties are sometimes included.
However, a common definition excludes
political parties, concentrating on those
groups wishing to influence government
policies and activities, whilst remaining
apart from government. There are two
types of pressure groups:
1. sectional; and
2.promotional.
Sectional Lobby Groups
This includes self-interest groups such
as: trade unions; business and farming
associations; churches; ethnic associations;
pensioner groups; and returned service
personnel.
Promotional Lobby Groups
This category promotes particular causes,
beliefs or values such as: conservation;
women’s issues; Aboriginal; civil; or moral
rights.
Both types of lobby groups can overlap, since an
organisation established on a sectional basis can
also promote issues based on particular causes,
beliefs or values. For example, the Returned
Services League was established to sectionally
represent the repatriation interests of returned
service personnel, but it also promotes particular
value policies regarding Australia’s defence and
immigration needs.
Pressure groups vary in size and organisational
structure, which may not necessarily represent the
amount of influence exerted upon a government’s
policies. It is obvious that trade unions, business
organisations and professional associations can
exert considerable pressure upon governments.
On the other hand, a small ad hoc committee,
established because of a local issue, may rally
sufficient supporters for mass demonstrations or
marches, and thus, pressure a government into
quickly altering its policies. The anti-Vietnam War