Archive for May, 2008

Media Release 28 May 2008: Budget Mailout a Waste of Money say Democrats

29/05/2008

ACT DEMOCRATS MEDIA RELEASE 28 MAY 2008

Budget Mailout a Waste of Money say Democrats

“The Stanhope government has embarked on a massive self-publicity campaign!” claims ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill.

ABC News reported yesterday of a massive $35,000 of ACT ratepayers money being spent on a mail-out in an attempt to ‘sell its latest budget to Canberrans.’

“This letterbox campaign has a distinctly familiar feel to it” Mr Churchill said. “The Stanhope Labor government here in the ACT is using ratepayers money to promote it’s own polices, just like the former Howard government did with taxpayers money last year.”

“Isn’t it strange how one majority government behaves in exactly the same way as another did (also in an election year) when it knows that it is on the nose? Surely this money could have been better spent on services in Canberra?” queried Mr Churchill.

“We have schools being forced to close, a bus network that needs upgrading and a water supply system that come summer will be stretched to the limit again. And Mr Stanhope neglects all of that, preferring to spend our money on a publicity stunt. What a waste!

“The Democrats call for greater accountability. We’ll use our numbers, if elected in October, to ensure that the government of the day is accountable. We will make sure that whoever forms the government is kept honest!” declared Mr Churchill

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au
Tel: 0412 196 473

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MEDIA ALERT: CONTACT DETAILS FOR ACT DEMOCRATS

28/05/2008

MEDIA ALERT: CONTACT DETAILS FOR ACT DEMOCRATS

Please update your records. Media Inquiries for the ACT Democrats should be directed to:

Darren Churchill

President

Australian Democrats (ACT Division)

Postal: PO Box 4070, KINGSTON, ACT 2604

Email: darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Mr Churchill can be contacted on the above number at any time for interviews and comment.

Posted in ACT Democrats Contact Details | Leave a Comment »

MEDIA RELEASE 27 May 2008: ACT Democrats call for ACT Energy Review

28/05/2008

MEDIA RELEASE 27 May 2008

ACT Democrats call for ACT Energy Review

“The proposed gas-fired power station in Tuggeranong should be put on hold until a full review of the Territory’s energy needs is conducted.” According to ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill.

The plans for the proposed power station to be built by an ACTEWAGL-led consortium were today scaled down in response to opposition from Tuggeranong residents.

Mr Churchill said, “The government hasn’t really thought this through. Clearly there is a need to completely review the energy situation in the ACT. This includes a full Environmental Impact Assessment, consideration of green energy alternatives (especially photovoltaic cells), and location and type of proposed power generation plants.”

“The Democrats would like to see the government honour it’s previous commitment to move towards 100% green power for government use by 2012.  And to investigate ways to extend this to the wider community.”
“We would like to see an energy review include the possibility of photovoltaic cells being installed on all government buildings with the surplus energy generated being fed back into the electricity grid. This could also include consideration of the Private Members Bill currently tabled before the assembly, to allow people with photovoltaic cells on their house to sell surplus power back to the grid.”

The ACT Democrats have been calling for measures to reduce the environmental impacts of energy consumption in the ACT for many years, and proposed sustainable energy generation within the ACT in 2004.  Proposals have included the installation of photovoltaic cells and mini-hydroelectric generators built into the water network.

“The Democrats have been calling for a major rethink on ACT energy for a long time.  Canberra (indeed the whole country) is a lot more environmentally aware now than we were four years ago. It’s time to reconsider these things in the light of our current understandings and concerns.”

“Now is the time for a review of our energy needs, which should include how the Territory is meeting its greenhouse targets.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

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MEDIA RELEASE 9 May 2008: ACT Democrats denounce undemocratic Electoral Act Amendments

27/05/2008

MEDIA RELEASE 9 May 2008

ACT Democrats denounce undemocratic Electoral Act Amendments

ACT Democrats acting President, Darren Churchill has denounced the ACT Government’s alteration of the Electoral Act.

The Electoral Act was last night changed to prevent non-party candidates from grouping together to contest the election.

“This is totally undemocratic and an attempt to create a two-party dictatorship!” Mr Churchill declared. “Where is the equal footing when like-minded candidates can’t be grouped together to try to gain election? It makes it extremely hard for ungrouped candidates to promote their policies, ideas and objectives.”

“When added to the inability of a party which has been deregistered being able to re-register in the same electoral cycle, the laws make a farce of the democratic process.”

The ACT Democrats were deregistered for the 2008 ACT election last years. The party does however remain registered nationally.

“A party which is registered nationally should automatically be registered for ACT elections.” Mr Churchill stated. “And the prohibition of like-minded candidates being able to be grouped together to achieve their democratic objectives is nothing short of an electoral gerrymander weighting the entire electoral system in favour of the old parties.”

All non-government members of the assembly voted against the changes. But the Stanhope government used its majority to force them through.

“The Hare-Clark system is potentially the most democratic system in the country. But when it becomes altered to prohibit democratic groupings, the ACT version turns democracy on its head.”

“The ACT Democrats have long advocated fair and democratic electoral laws. Given the opportunity we would make ACT elections fair” said Mr Churchill.

“I suppose it is hard to expect democratic behaviour from Labor, when they won’t even allow their members a conscience vote!” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President (acting)

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Electoral Reform | Leave a Comment »