Darren Churchill: Australian Democrats Campaigns

A speech by ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill, to Australian Christian Lobby, ACT Election Event: 07 October, 2008

I thank ACL for the invitation to speak tonight and I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am Darren Churchill, president of the ACT Democrats and “Ungrouped” candidate for Ginninderra. You will find me in the “U2” column on the ballot paper.

The name of that column, “U2” isn’t lost on me. It reminds me of the Irish band called U2. And like the singer of that band, Bono, I find that faith informs my conscience and drives me in the things that I am passionate about.

Faith is important to me. I am a Christian, a practising Anglican (Anglo-Catholic). So, how does that faith fit with my politics?

I don’t think that as a person of faith, I could be more at home than I am in the Australian Democrats. My party was formed on the principles of honesty, tolerance and compassion, with policies based on common sense and fairness.

We are a party based on a commitment to human rights, justice, equity, and accountability. We championed the environment (long before it was ever fashionable to do so), have spoken up for the vulnerable in society, particularly children, for peace and harmony in Australia and abroad, for a prosperous economy, fair industrial relations, work and family balance, and good publicly-funded education, health and transport services.

We have always engaged with mainstream Christians – as individuals and as interest groups. We find ourselves like-minded on very many issues and we appreciate the advocacy and the advice offered by Christians.

The strength of a society can be seen by how it treats it’s least fortunate members, by how we deal with social inclusion. Jesus Christ taught that “whatever we neglect to do to the least important of these, so we neglect to do to Him.” The Australian Democrats have always taken a positive approach to Social Inclusion by recognising and responding to the diverse needs of all Australians, with particular emphasis on those in greatest need. We continue to do so.

Social inclusion is about social cohesion. It is about creating a framework, whereby the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed, are provided with the opportunities to share in society’s prosperity, to participate in society.

It is the role of government to ensure that there is a safety net to protect those who slip through the cracks of our economic and social structures.

For many Canberrans the real threats to their security come from poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity or poor access to services.

Among the ways the Government can act is by addressing the divides in our society. Government should target programmes to those parts of the Territory where there is greatest need.

Government can move to reduce local clubs relying so heavily on gambling revenue, given the social impact of gambling. The ACT Democrats oppose further expansion of the ACT’s poker machine industry. We advocate government assistance to problem gambling support services and believe that greater recognition can be shown to this very real issue and those who are affected by it.

The ACT Democrats will increase our stock of public and community housing, as well as providing increased funding and resources for homelessness shelters, halfway houses, and crisis accommodation. We acknowledge the increasing number of Canberrans put at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic violence and relationship break-up and will improve support services to help Canberrans transition safely from unsafe home environments into stable, affordable long-term housing.

Housing and support services must be remodelled to provide pathways out of homelessness. Affordable and accessible housing is an essential component of any policy aiming to address employment, family, community or welfare issues, yet it usually gets little attention from the other political parties.

Lack of transport is a barrier to participation for many Canberrans. The Democrats will act to reverse the decline of our bus networks and implement an attractive comprehensive public transport system. Buses that are accessible to all, where you want, when you want.

The Democrats will work to remove the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in the full range of economic, community, and recreational activities that Canberra offers. We want greater support for children with disabilities so they can achieve their potential and for every child to have the opportunity for inclusion into a mainstream school setting if
that is their parents wish. Greater classroom support is needed so children with disabilities receive the full benefit of their education.

The Democrats welcome the initiative taken by the Federal Government in establishing a Social Inclusion Board. We propose that a similar Social Inclusion Unit be set up in the Chief Minister’s Office here in the ACT and will take action to ensure that it is and that it’s work is consistent with the aims of it’s Charter.

The ACT Democrats support religious freedom absolutely. Religious freedom is a basic right of all Australians and the ACT Democrats support that freedom absolutely. We believe that no-one should be the subject of unfair discrimination.

Humans are given to be stewards of the environment. I believe the Earth is God’s Earth and we are to be it’s carers.

The ACT Democrats have a long history of fighting for an environmentally sustainable Canberra. We have a very extensive platform of action we will pursue on climate change. We will create an environmentally sustainable Canberra by reversing the decline of our bus networks and implementing an attractive comprehensive public transport system; ensuring that new developments, especially high-density housing, are built to robust environmental standards; initiating a sustainable plan for Canberra’s long-term water and energy needs; continuing to support the establishment emissions trading schemes.

Especially in an era of climate change we all have to do our best at conserving water and preserving environmental flows, but increasing population numbers will undoubtedly require an increased supply and increased storage.

The Democrats will support the Cotter Dam enlargement and the proposed Angle Crossing to Googong Dam pipeline and provide an adequate water allocation for Canberra’s urban residents.

The ACT Democrats are Canberra’s strongest advocates of open and accountable government. We believe absolutely in the right of Canberrans to engage directly in the political process and be consulted on issues of concern to them. The ACT Democrats will fight in all forums for public access to the procedures and decisions of government.

The Democrats stand by our principle that Governments should be held to honour their election promises. And recognise that a government has a mandate to govern and implement the platform it was elected to, but not to dictate or force through unfair legislation; it must be scrutinised and debated.

We are the negotiators, the natural party of the cross-benches, the people who know how to make otherwise bad legislation into better, fairer legislation for all. We work for good outcomes. If laws are to be honest and just, the Assembly and the public must be given ample time to discuss all proposed legislation

These are just some of the measures that will begin to address how we build and strengthen local communities, support and empower families, and reduce disadvantage, lack of access and poverty and improve representation and democracy.

Our policies conform to what we call triple-bottom-line accounting practices which achieve a balance between competing economic, environmental and social objectives.

In closing, I’d like to begin my closing remarks with a few words from my party’s first federal parliamentary leader, Don Chipp, from an interview he gave in 2005:

“I believe there is God. That all love comes from God. And love is the only answer to the world’s hate. The world will destroy itself through hate. Simple as that. And if you think I’m a nutter, or a religious maniac for that, so be it. but I’ve got an answer to it, you haven’t.”

In 1 Corinthians 13, Saint Paul tells his audience (the early Christians in Corinth) that they may have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but unless they first have love, these gifts mean nothing. Tolerance, kindness, unselfishness, taking no account of evil done to it, honesty, trusting, hoping, persevering, and triumphing, is how St Paul describes love. Yes faith, yes hope “but the greatest of these is love.”

Ladies and gentlemen, in love, the love given to us from God may we find the answers that lead us to honesty, tolerance and compassion.

Thank you.

(This is the complete text of the speech. An edited version was delivered to the ACL due to a reduced time allocation).

A speech by Darren Churchill, to Belconnen Community Council, Ginninderra Candidates’ Forum: 07 October, 2008

Good Evening.
Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Darren Churchill, president of the ACT Democrats and “Ungrouped” candidate for Ginninderra. You’ll find me in the “U2” column on the ballot paper.
I grew up in Goulburn, so my background is in the Canberra district. I was educated at the Universities of Newcastle and Wollongong. I also spent some time at CCAE. I have worked as a public servant, bank officer, shop assistant and in hospitality. I have also taught commerce and geography both in NSW and the ACT. In the 80s and 90s, I spent some time managing rock bands and working in the music industry. I am currently employed as a group fitness instructor (Boxfit).
I’m standing for election because I want to return the Australian Democrats’ 31 years of cross-bench expertise to the ACT Legislative Assembly. We need accountability and good negotiating skills when it comes to legislative decisions. As a Democrat, I’m offering to bring to the Assembly a “balance of responsibility.” We hear a lot about a “balance of power” but with power comes responsibility. It’s two-sides of the same equation.
I stand for getting the balance right in legislative decisions. The result needs to be the right mix for the environment, the economy and social justice. I represent the core Democrats values of honesty, tolerance and compassion. Being fair to all groups and speaking up for the marginalised and the oppressed.
A really big issue is climate change. We need to look at addressing transport, health, energy and planning in ways that will lead to a sustainable Canberra and a better future. Managing our schools is high on my agenda. Adequate resources for public education, and support for teachers. There is a need for reviewing how we manage public housing. Provision of medical services and keeping people in the medical professions (especially nursing) and including women’s and mental health. Reform of electoral laws and accountability in government.
I am a qualified teacher of Studies of Society and Environment (Economics and Geography), so I understand the importance of managing competing environmental, economic and societal issues. I have served on committees as a student, a teacher and band manager as well as with the Democrats. I can bring the ACT Democrats legislative ability to the Assembly and “Keep the Bastards Honest!”
This election is not just about who forms the next government. It is about who forms the next cross-bench. Legislation needs to be thoroughly scrutinised by the Assembly. Majority government hasn’t worked. The Stanhope government has been able to force through anything it chooses without proper consultation, review or thinking things through.

The Democrats are the “natural party of the crossbenches.” We respect the mandate of a government to govern. But we are the negotiators, the people who know how to make otherwise bad legislation into better, fairer legislation for all. We work for good outcomes.

As a Democrat, I will work to ensure that all legislation is fair and reasonable for Canberrans. I will not be silenced on the important matters of transport, planning, health, education, the environment & climate change. I will provide straight talking on tough issues for the people of Ginninderra (and for the wider Canberra community).

ACT Democrats policy is to increase community input into government decision making – in planning health education, carer services, youth services, aged services, etc.

There are already many (voluntary) community groups (including Belconnen Community Council) with expertise – we also want to reinstate a process like the LAPACS (Local Area Planning and Advisory Committees)

The ACT Democrats want to help these bodies to be more effective in representing their communities and influencing government.

The government already provides the Belconnen Community Centre – it should also provide the office management services that are required in the Centre. This could include free or subsidised phones, computers, filing cabinets, photocopiers and a salary for communal office management and secretarial services.

There should also be a Liaison Officer within the Chief Ministers Office to assist community groups to access government information and to respond to government requests for information and to make submissions to government committees and enquiries.

There should be a number of support facilities in a region the size of Belconnen – possibly also at Jamison and Kippax, possibly in closed schools?

Democrat politicians have an obligation to vote according to their consciences, and not according to vested interest groups, political opportunism or the dictates of a party Whip.

The Democrats are not beholden to interest groups. We are not controlled by the interests of big business, the union movement, the hard-core environmental lobby or any other group. We listen to everybody and act on what is right. A voice for all, especially the voiceless, the marginalised, the oppressed. We are the only truly effective and independent crossbench party.

If elected, I will “keep the bastards honest!”

Thank you.

(This is the complete text of the speech. An slightly edited version was delivered on the night due to time constraints).

A Speech by ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill, to Canberra ASH (Action on Smoking & Health), 02 October, 2008

Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll declare something here. I am an ex-smoker. So, we’ll see if that colours anything I have to say.

Firstly, I’d like to say to say the Australian Democrats are not in any way a socially conservative party. We’re social liberals, and we believe in the right of people to enjoy their lifestyle, in, the way they choose. The exception to that is where that lifestyle impinges on what we could perceive as the greater public good. A health issue like this, this is one of those issues when there is a role for the state to regulate when and where people can enjoy their right to smoke, so others can enjoy their right to clean air.

The Democrats have a long tradition of being innovators in tobacco law reform. In various jurisdictions we have worked cooperatively with governments, often pushing them a little further than they would like to go on tobacco law reform, and other public health measures. It was pointed out earlier that we supported the ban on indoor smoking.

When smoking was regulated in indoor areas, the doomsayers cried “it will ruin the hospitality industry!” That hasn’t been the case.
What’s been the case is that people largely support the ban on indoor smoking. Including, many smokers,

Canberra has a wonderful café culture with a large number of pavement dining areas. So, now we believe that it’s a natural progression to expand the protection of non-smokers and hospitality workers to those outdoor eating areas.

We shouldn’t allow some manipulation by the tobacco industry (political donations and the like) to clog our thinking about the need to legislate for decent, sensible public health policy. Current smoking laws have been well received. And it is time to take them further. It’s time to take action to protect families and give workers a safer workplace. Outdoor areas must come next.

We’d like to see an environment whereby hospitality workers can carry out their work in an environment that isn’t contaminated by people polluting the air with smoke and contaminating it with toxins. So the ACT Democrats support the creation of “clean air zones.’

The position of the Australian Democrats in relation to tobacco advertising even predates our existence as a party. In the early 1970s, the person who was to become our first federal parliamentary leader, Don Chipp, was a strong advocate of banning television and radio advertising of cigarettes and tobacco products. Such was the influence of the tobacco industry that the Chief Executive of one of the tobacco companies wrote to the then Prime Minister, Mr McMahon, saying that they would withdraw funding to the Liberal Party if Don Chipp didn’t stop his advoocacy of bannning tobacco advertising on television and radio. Of course, Chippy kept up his fight and as you probably know in the mid 1970s, the last Liberal government of which Don Chipp was a part took action to ban tobacco advertising on radio and television.

The Australian Democrats have continued this work, supporting the banning of tobacco sponsorship of sport by the Hawke government in the 80s and 90s. And also here in the ACT supporting the banning of smoking in indoor areas.

Whilst, I don’t advocate giving smoking a mischievous quality by making it be perceived as a banned or naughty product (nothing sells better than a banned product, I mean we can cite the example of records that have been banned by radio stations, they go to number one on the playlists, on the hit parade). So, I don’t advocate the total removal of tobacco products from display. I do support the discrete display of tobacco products with little or no advertising, away from the easy view of children.

It is very hard to enforce a ban on smoking in cars. Public education is also a fantastic thing, which I think should be encouraged.

Federally, three years ago, my party did attempt to ban smoking in cars in the belief that it would cut down on bushfires, littering, car accidents and cancer. And I agree, it would cut down on those things. I do think the idea has merit. However, I believe it is an incredibly difficult thing to enforce and that education rather than legislation is probably the way to go. We’ve already seen example in society where sensitive, aware parents don’t smoke in the house around their kids. Sensitive, aware parents don’t smoke in the car with their kids; and I think education to extend and encourage that is what we should be supporting. It should be the role of government as part of health promotion to provide such education.

However, public transport and planes have been smoke free for many years, so there possibly is a case for enforcing smoke free driving.

I think there should be Assembly inquiries into all things to determine best practice within Australia and overseas. Having said that, I think all legislation should be thoroughly examined and we should make better use of the Committee system in the assembly to determine good legislation, good outcomes on all legislation and that’s been common Democrat practice for a long time. And we support that.

Smokers do have a right to smoke. The majority of citizens also have a right to breathe clean air and to enjoy clean air. Medical evidence has shown that there are many bad effects from side-stream and environmental tobacco smoke on the health of non-smokers. And we as legislators must take action So to examine what is world’s best practice and Australian best practice before legislating in the ACT, I think that’s a good idea.

I don’t believe you can legislate respect. I think it’s like trying to legislate manners. It’s just impossible. They only thing you can do is try to teach respect. And respect is part of that old two-sided equation, rights and responsibilities. Yes, you have the right to smoke but you also have the responsibility to ensure that others are not affected by your smoking and that you respect the zone in which you are permitted to smoke. So, if it’s a “clean air zone” then you don’t light up in that zone. It’s a respect issue. We can’t legislate and enforce that sort of thing. I think that education campaigns are the right sort of way to go on this.

The ACT Democrats believe more should be put into education and awareness campaigns. We support increased funding for tobacco education in schools and the community with a focus on informed choice. We are talking about a legal product after all. We are committed to promoting additional methods of reducing the harm caused by tobacco and especially the use of it by children. We don’t believe that we can have tighter tobacco control without more generous tobacco cessation programmes. The two things need to go hand in hand. It is time that we took away the excuse for not stopping smoking. Which often are for instance, the gum or the patches are too expensive. And we need to recognise that tobacco is an addictive substance and to treat tobacco addiction as exactly what it is – an addiction. So, as such, we support more resources being given to Quit Smoking campaigns.
I think that a proposal for “no smoking’ clauses in residential tenancy agreements requires a thorough examination of the proposed legislation in relation to it. I have lived in student accommodation where smoking was banned in the enclosed area of the premises. However, it was permitted on the balcony area. So, there’s room for consideration of that. However, I don’t think it’s a simplistic solution and it’s something that needs to be examined thoroughly.

It is also important that we focus on the health and well-being of expectant mothers and babies. I think this can really be done as part of an overall awareness campaign. I think some of the messages are already getting through, particularly through the medical profession in relation to both alcohol and smoking during pregnancy. People are far more aware of the impact on the unborn child these days than they were 20, 30, 40 years ago. I mean, we’re aware now of the drug Thalidomide, we’re awre of the affect of alcohol on the unborn child, we’re aware of the affect of smoking. I think as the medical profession get this message through to people (and part of their role is to educate on current medical practice) that the message is getting through. And giving children a good start in life is one of the most important investments that a society can make in it’s future. But the only real protection that can be given to the unborn child is common sense on the part of the mother. And that can only come about through education.

Subliminal advertising in movies is a problem. The subliminal messages in movies are very strong. It does glamourise smoking and I think action needs to be take. But this is something that needs to be done, probably more at a federal level than what we can do at a territory level. We can’t say that a certain type of film has to have one requirement in the ACT but something else in the rest of Australia. It’s really a federal issue but we should lobby and put pressure on the federal government to pick up on that, as it has been when the Democrats Senators attempted to introduce this into the Senate back in 2004. I think it’s a good idea to pick up on it again. And, I think that maybe it’s time will come too.

Thank you.

(This shows Darren’s responses to Canberra ASH as a speech. To view it as a question and Answer format see http://www.act.democrats.org.au and click on “Speeches”)

A speech by ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill, to ACT Light Rail, Election Event: 30 September, 2008

I thank ACT Light Rail for the invitation to speak tonight and I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet.

I’m Darren Churchill. I’m the president of the ACT Democrats and Ungrouped candidate for Ginninderra. Ungrouped, because of the seriously flawed electoral laws we have.

Ladies and gentlemen, the ACT Democrats have been advocating light rail for over seven years now. In 2001, we took a serious proposal for light rail to the election. It’s good to see that now Light Rail is back on the agenda.

However, the ACT Democrats are not simply prepared to be a policy think tank for the old parties. The ACT Democrats support the idea but not the current execution of an integrated transport plan for Canberra. The recently released plan is “more of the same” from a tired government.

Its central thesis of a car-centred Canberra is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It has not been helped by a bus service that increasingly failed to meet the needs of the people, despite the individual efforts of those charged with delivering the service.

Canberra needs a light rail system for the current citizens of Canberra, the future development of Canberra and for visitors to Canberra. A light rail system is not a novel idea, nor is it a high-risk idea. Modern progressive cities around the world have adopted light rail successfully.

The current government gives lip-service to light rail, but has failed to allocate resources to support these words. The Democrats will support any measures to redress this.

The concept of light rail does not exist in a vacuum. The development of Canberra’s built environment, its Nature Parks and public spaces, its tourism infrastructure and its business centres will be affected by this project.

How is it to be funded? Where should the first line go? What style of light rail should be deployed? How should it be integrated into the existing city? How are future developments best designed to extend the network? Is it is to be privately, publicly, or jointly developed and operated?
In answer to these, the ACT Democrats believe that a light rail system should be a key element of Canberra’s public transport services.
We acknowledge that light rail is more environmentally sustainable, provides accessible transport to the majority of the population and is a viable complement to a well planned road system.
We believe, that there should be a light rail spine linking Gungahlin, Civic, Woden and Tugerranong. And eventually Queanbeyan too. There should also be a link between Belconnen and Civic
The first stage of this would be a link between Gungahlin and Civic. That should be planned for in conjunction with the upgrades to the Gungahiln Drive Extension and Caswell Drive.
And I know, that originally the ACT Democrats did oppose the Gungahlin Drive Extension. However, now that the thing’s done (and only half done) it should be done properly and that should include a light rail facility following that route.
Stage two would see the extension to Woden and Tuggeranong, and then from Civic to Belconnen.

We believe the light rail system should preferably be publicly owned and operated.

The Light Rail system needs to be integrated with other forms of transport and should be part of an overarching transport plan. We envisage such a plan operating in the following manner:

– with a full service bus system which would link the suburbs with the town centres;
– there should be a integrated ticketing system between the bus and the light rail system;
– light rail vehicles should also be able to carry bicycles and there should be bike facilities at light rail stops;
– parking, or park-and-ride facilities, should also be made available at light rail terminals;
– On the question that’s been raised on “right of way.” Light Rail would have right of way. Traffic lights would be triggered by the approach of the light rail vehicle, similar to that system that operates with the current Tram system in Melbourne;
– Light rail should be commenced along existing major transport corridors and should be planned for along future road corridor developments.

However, some of these questions are best decided and negotiated by the Assembly and the ACT Government. This includes budget allocations and negotiations with the Commonwealth for necessary infrastructure assistance.

We believe the majority of the consequences will be beneficial to Canberra. With all development, engagement with the community and negotiating tradeoffs is vital for its success. What is the best way to engage in a truly consultative manner?

One method of engagement would be the implementation of broad community consultative committees, similar to the planning advisory committees (or LAPAC). There needs to be a better method than the selective, collective consultation that frequently occurs with the current government. Hand-picking favoured groups for consultation is not the best model. Ignoring the hard work of such committees is also not the best model..

Effective community consultation is not always easy but we would not be the first city in the world to achieve it.

So, lthough generally supportive of light rail, the Democrats believe it is more important to invest in it’s development as a viable transport option, rather than simply as a system designed for tourism.

Your Light Rail advocates in the ACT Democrats are Greg Tannahill (in Molonglo) and myself, Darren Churchill (in Ginninderra). Look for us in the “ungrouped” column on the ballot paper.

Thank you.

A speech by ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill, to Christians for an Ethical Society, addressing Social Justice

I thank Heather and the CES for the invitation to speak tonight and I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it could be said that the Australian Democrats have done more than just a little bit of work on Social Justice.  Right from the beginning, my party was formed on the principles of honesty, tolerance and compassion, with policies based on common sense and fairness.

We are the true small “l” liberals, socially progressive, being a voice for Aboriginal reconciliation, human rights and refugees as well as championing the environment long before it was ever fashionable to do so.  In 2008, the ACT Democrats stand by those very same principles

The Australian Democrats have always taken a positive approach to Social Inclusion by recognising and responding to the diverse needs of all Australians, with particular emphasis on those in greatest need. We continue to do so.

Social inclusion is about social cohesion.  It is about creating a framework, whereby the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed, are provided with the opportunities to share in society’s prosperity, to participate in society.

It is the role of government to ensure that there is a safety net to protect those who slip through the cracks of our economic and social structures.

For many Canberrans the real threats to their security come from poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity or poor access to services.

Among the ways the Government can act is by addressing the divides in our society. It can recognise the importance of diversity in the community sector.  Government should target programmes to those parts of the Territory where there is greatest need.

Government can move to reduce local clubs relying so heavily on gambling revenue, given the social impact of gambling. The ACT Democrats oppose further expansion of the ACT’s poker machine industry.  We advocate government assistance to problem gambling support services and believe that greater recognition can be shown to this very real issue and those who are affected by it.

The ACT Democrats will increase our stock of public and community housing, as well as providing increased funding and resources for homelessness shelters, halfway houses, and crisis accommodation. We acknowledge the increasing number of Canberrans put at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic violence and relationship break-up and will improve support services to help Canberrans transition safely from unsafe home environments into stable, affordable long-term housing.

Lack of transport is a barrier to participation for many Canberrans.  The Democrats will act to reverse the decline of our bus networks and implement an attractive comprehensive public transport system.  Buses that are accessible to all, where you want, when you want.

The Democrats will work to remove the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in the full range of economic, community, and recreational activities that Canberra offers. We want greater support for children with disabilities so they can achieve their potential and for every child to have the opportunity for inclusion into a mainstream school setting if

that is their parents wish. Greater classroom support is needed so children with disabilities receive the full benefit of their education.

The Democrats strongly believe that the ACT Government should treat drug use and addiction as a health issue, base drugs policy on an evidence basis, and work to minimise the impact of drugs on the health and lives of users and their families. The Democrats support increased funding for alcohol, tobacco and other drug education in schools and the community with a focus on informed choice, the Democrats are committed to promoting additional methods of reducing the harm caused by tobacco and alcohol, and especially the use of these substances by children.

The Democrats welcome the initiative taken by the Federal Government in establishing a Social Inclusion Board.  We propose that a similar Social Inclusion Unit be set up in the Chief Minister’s Office here in the ACT and will take action to ensure that it is and that it’s work is consistent with the aims of it’s Charter.

The Democrats are pleased to see the Alexander Maconochie Centre ready to receive it’s first inmates.  It’s opening  will mean prisoners have greater access to their families and support networks, reducing the likelihood of recidivism by allowing prisoners to maintain the bonds that sustain human dignity.  It will allow the ACT to adopt world’s best practice in promoting rehabilitation within its prison system.  We welcome the operation of the prison on human rights principles.

The Democrats will act to ensure the prison maintains strong connections with community support agencies to ensure a smooth transition into the community and work after leaving the prison, as well as supporting the families of offenders.

We support and encourage programmes such as Alternatives to Violence and Restorative Justice.  We support efforts to tackle social disadvantage and inequality which are the social roots of offending.  Preventing crime by addressing the inequities that lead to crime is an important part of our justice, community safety and corrections platform.

The Democrats believe that ideally, drugs should be kept out of the new prison.  But recognising the fact that despite our best efforts, people do devise new and ingenious ways of getting drugs into prisons, we therefore support the adoption of harm minimisation approaches such as a needle exchange programme, believing the health of inmates and the safety of prison officers can be best protected in such a way.

We continue to be concerned about people with mental illnesses getting caught up in the court system, when the acts they were arrested for were done as a result of their illness.

We believe that the treatment of mentally ill people who come into contact with the police and judicial system can be considerably improved. The Democrats believe that police officers should be trained to work with people with mental illnesses, so they better deal with transporting or assisting people who are acutely ill.

The ACT Democrats recognise that demand for mental health services in

the ACT is increasing. We understand that good mental health is just as important for the ACT community as good physical health. We support increased resources for preventative programmes and early intervention to prevent chronic mental health problems developing.  Access to Mental Health support services is just as important inside a prison as in the wider community (in some ways even more important).  These services include access to mental health professionals, improving access to treatment (medication and counselling), and suicide prevention.

The Democrats have always aimed at achieving a balance between employer and employee.  The casualisation of much of the labour force has led to uncertainty of employment and little protection of income.  This has been highlighted recently by the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union in their campaign for a “fair deal for cleaners.”

The Democrats welcome the government’s agreement to implement reforms for contract cleaners.  But we question why it has taken so long and why has it only come about when an election looms large.

The Democrats support fairer pay and industry endorsed work rates.  We will implement contract clauses that allow continuity of employment, transportability of superannuation, sick and long-service leave provisions and ensure that casual workers are paid fairly and proportionately in comparison to their full-time colleagues.

The ACT Democrats support the protection and improvement of the urban and natural environment of our Bush Capital. We are committed to ensuring Canberra retains green space in the urban environment, improving residential and recreational amenity, and protecting remnant native vegetation.

The Democrats support measures to reduce emissions, including reducing energy use and reducing consumption of fossil fuels.

Water is an essential requirement for Canberra. The quality and quantity of water supplied is a major factor in the quality of life of Canberra residents. The

role of government is to develop a long term plan for the management of supply and demand at a reasonable cost to the community.

Especially in an era of climate change we all have to do our best at conserving water and preserving environmental flows, but increasing population numbers will undoubtedly require an increased supply and increased storage.

The Democrats will support the Cotter Dam enlargement and the proposed Angle Crossing to Googong Dam pipeline and provide an adequate water allocation for Canberra’s urban residents.

For better governance, the Democrats stand by our principle that Governments should be held to honour their election promises.  And recognise that a government has a mandate to govern and implement the platform it was elected to, but not to dictate or force through unfair legislation; it must be scrutinised and debated to “keep the bastards honest.”

We are the negotiators, the natural party of the cross-benches, the people who know how to make otherwise bad legislation into better, fairer legislation for all. We work for good outcomes. If laws are to be honest and just, the Assembly and the public must be given ample time to discuss all proposed legislation

These are just some of the measure that will begin to address how we build and strengthen local communities, support and empower families, and reduce disadvantage, lack of access and poverty and improve representation and democracy.

Our policies conform to what we call triple-bottom-line accounting practices which achieve a balance between competing economic, environmental and social objectives.

Thank you.

(This is the complete text of the speech.  An edited version was delivered to the CES due to a reduced time allocation).