Darren Churchill: Australian Democrats Campaigns

http://www.bastardwatch.com.au

The Australian Democrats “Bastard Watch” campaign was launched last week.  Throw a bastard on the barbie and grill them.

In this campaign, its application seemed a perfect fit of an old slogan to a new circumstance. We don’t use the term lightly, but felt that there’s only one word to describe a man who puts big business and the logging and coal unions before the sustainability of the planet – bastard!

The award winning advertising company EURO RSCG Australia designed a witty, poignant, educational but fun campaign to cut through and apply some real pressure on Canberra. The proposed ‘Bastardwatch’ blog, interactive ‘grill a bastard’ flash game, and a roll out of online banner advertising on Climate Change in particular all fit together with the theme of ‘turning up the heat’ on those responsible for selling out Australia.

Background: Australian Democrats first federal parliamentary leader Don Chipp coined the phrase ‘keep the bastards honest’ to explain one of the party’s roles as a public watchdog in the Senate, and the phrase was used by Cheryl Kernot as the Democrats campaign slogan in the 1996 federal election.  It was also used last year by the ACT Democrats in our ACT Election campaign.

The Bastardwatch concept, blog, game and logo have been designed with award winning advertising agency EURO RSCG Australia, which also created the winning ABC Gruen Transfer advertisement promoting the Australian Democrats.

http://www.bastardwatch.com.au

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DARREN CHURCHILL
ACT Democrats President

Democrats Condemn Gaza Invasion

ACT Australian Democrats president, Darren Churchill says he is appalled by the Federal government’s lack of leadership over Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

Last week, Israel launched attacks on civilian targets in Gaza killing more than 300 Palestinians, including women and children and injuring 1000 others. Today, Israeli tanks and infantry rolled into Gaza as a full scale offensive began.

Mr Churchill has called on acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard to show some leadership. “How far does this obscenity of war have to go before the Australian government speaks out and condemns it?” queried Mr Churchill

“The targets have not been military ones. They have been police, hospitals, mosques and universities. These are innocent people!” said Mr Churchill. “It’s a violation of International Law to attack police when they are not involved in military activities”

“The beginning of the current problems is that Gaza has been strangled for some time by an Israeli blockade.” Mr Churchill continued. “Israel’s blockade of Gaza for the last two years means that injured Palestinians will die because of lack of medical supplies.”

“These are blatant abuses of human rights. Australia must condemn the attacks. We must condemn the invasion.”

“Australia must stand up for humanity, justice and truth. War is the ultimate obscenity. The action taken by Israel is obscene! It is time for the Rudd-Gillard government to show some leadership on this important issue of international human rights.” Mr Churchill concluded.

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