Is Australia over governed?

An interesting discussion popped up on Twitter earlier about whether Australia is over governed/represented. After doing a few searches and some back of an envelope calculations We (myself (@australiavotes), @banditcountry and @The_kennel)  came up with some interesting numbers. Australia has (by my count) around 7,380 elected officials which going by the ABS population clock is 1 for every 3003 people.

EDIT: Canada was brought up as it's similar in population and size to Australia. My figure (which could be way off) is based on results I could find and includes Federal and State MPs plus regional Mayors, Councillors and schhol boards. I work it out 4100 which is 1 for every 8048 people.

Australia
1 for every 3003 people
Canada 
1 for every 8048 people
U.K
1 for every 2,745  people

In 1992, The U.S had 1 for every 501 people. They elected judges, school baords, and plenty of other things though.


EDIT: Have been told by Anonymous in comments that the U.K figure is 1 for every 2,745 people.

A sad day for the Australian Democrats

The WA branch has be de-registered after they declined to the WA Electoral Commission's determination that it had less than the minimum 500 members needed to be registered as a party.

Official Democrats Videos

Lyn To Win
One of the comments on the Youtube page for this video is quite funny

Ooooh hotties at number 3 and 9!
They can have my Democrat babies anyday!

You've got my vote Lyn! (if I lived in Victoria)

Euthanasia - our right to choose the time to die


Bring Back Balance - VOTE 1 Australian Democrats
This video features the daughter of Don Chipp.


We've been a little busy
Minor parties attacking other minor parties? wtf?