Archive for November 18th, 2007

Media Release: 18-11-2007: Democrats Defend Gay Rights

18/11/2007

Bring Back Balance

ACT Democrats 2007

Media Release 18 November 2007

Democrats Defend Gay Rights

“Discriminatory laws against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (GLBTI) people must be changed” says Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

In August, the Australian Democrats introduced a Same-Sex Entitlement Bill into the Senate. The Bill aimed to amend the 58 discriminatory laws identified by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in their report of May 2007, Same-Sex: Same Entitlements, as being discriminatory against same-sex couples.

“A truly liberal democratic society would have ended these intolerant, discriminatory laws long ago” Mr Churchill said. “They are laws that encourage and entrench bigotry and homophobia and this cannot be allowed to continue.”

“The Liberal/National coalition and the Labor party have a bad record on issues aimed at ending discrimination against GLBTI people. Only the Democrats have consistently supported equality on sexuality and gender identity issues.”

“We’ve made a number of attempts at getting anti-discrimination laws passed to protect the rights of GLBTI people. Our Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill and our Sexuality Anti-Vilification Bill are just two examples.

“Democrats initiatives have managed to get property rights extended to same-sex in relation to private superannuation funds. We will keep the pressure up to get the same entitlements extended to same-sex couples under public superannuation schemes.”

“I call on the coalition and the ALP to commit to redressing the laws which discriminate against same-sex couples, and to recognise that all Australians are equal.”

“It doesn’t matter whether a person is gay, straight or whatever. We are all human beings. And in sharing a common humanity, in the name of love, all people have a right to be treated with dignity, respect and equality under the law.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release: 18-11-2007: Nuclear Madness

18/11/2007

Bring Back Balance

ACT Democrats 2007

Media Release 18 November 2007

Only the Democrats can stop the nuclear madness

“Only the Australian Democrats can stop a nuclear reactor being built in the Jervis Bay Territory”, says Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

The Jervis Bay Territory has long been considered as a site for Australia’s first Nuclear Power Station. And with the government committed to a nuclear future, the Territory is likely to be pushed as one of their 25 proposed sites.

“The Liberals want to commit Australia to a nuclear future. Labor tries to have it both ways, saying they oppose reactors but intending to expand uranium mining. And the Greens can’t be trusted because they have done a preference deal with the Labor party who they know are pro-uranium, and because some so-called environmentalists are pro-nuclear’ Mr Churchill said.

“The Australian Democrats position has always been that we want a clean Australia, with no uranium mines, no nuclear reactors and no radioactive waste. We don’t do deals with pro-nuclear parties. And we support the Non Proliferation Treaty on nuclear weapons. Nuclear power and proliferation of weapons are two sides of the same coin. It is a dangerous path to go down.”

Mr Churchill, who visited the Jervis bay Territory (which includes Booderee National Park) two weeks ago said, “It is an absolutely beautiful area. I will not allow Jervis Bay (or any other part of my electorate) to be destroyed by a horrible, dangerous nuclear reactor.”

“The only way the people of Fraser (and Australians generally) can guarantee that we will not proceed down the path of nuclear stupidity is to elect the Australian Democrats to the Senate and the House of Representatives. We will ensure that the money they intend to spend on this lunacy will be put to better investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.” concluded Mr Churchill.

 

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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About the Australian Democrats

18/11/2007

The Australian Democrats are not beholden to big business or the unions or chained to any extreme ideology or religion. We are a party that makes judgments based on what is fair and just and moral. We are the only party that simply fights for what is right.

For honesty, tolerance and compassion.

Choose Common Sense

AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS!!!

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