Archive for the ‘Australian Democrats’ Category

MEDIA RELEASE: 13th August, 2013: Democrats campaign slogan: Sustainable Prosperity

16/08/2013

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MEDIA RELEASE: 13th August, 2013:

Democrats campaign slogan: Sustainable Prosperity

The Australian Democrats have launched their campaign slogan for the September 7 federal election: Sustainable Prosperity.

Australian Democrats National President, Darren Churchill, says that Sustainable Prosperity must be the vision for Australia’s future.

“Some preach that economic growth is the holy grail, some small government and some environment over humanity. The Australian Democrats believe that Sustainable Prosperity encourages economic development, wealth creation, environment protection, humane justice and social advancement.

“With Australia’s economy linked to the world there are no simple solutions, and the challenge for government is in negotiating the Sustainable Prosperity path.

“Australia already welcomes investment in solar and wind power, but must more actively encourage it, and if this means coal-fired power stations will be little used or retired early, it will be a plus in dealing with climate change.

“Our manufacturing industries, tortured by the recent high dollar, can and must be revived to lead the world in innovation and excellence. We are also a trusted source of quality food exports.

“Prosperity will not however come as a result of increasing population. Every new person requires $200,000 worth of infrastructure and Infrastructure Australia estimates the nation already has an infrastructure backlog of up to $300 billion.

“Economic sustainability, properly managed and definitely shared to reduce the gap between rich and poor, promises to lift more people out of poverty – an objective we should all embrace.

“A vote for the Australian Democrats is a vote for Sustainable Prosperity for all Australians,” Mr Churchill said.

Media contact: Darren Churchill

National President

Australian Democrats

Phone 0412 196473

Posted in Australian Democrats, Environment, Federal Election 2013, Population, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

MEDIA RELEASE: 6th August, 2013: Democrats ready and willing to give new ideas for ‘new ways’ to either Labor or Liberal

16/08/2013

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MEDIA RELEASE: 6th August, 2013:

Democrats ready and willing to give new ideas for ‘new ways’ to either Labor or Liberal

With both Liberal and Labor having made it clear they will not be entering into any alliances with small parties and independents to form government, the Australian Democrats say this puts the spotlight on the Senate.

“Given that only half the Senate is up for re-election, there will be greater stability in that chamber, and it’s where a lot of the hard decisions will be made” says Jeanie Walker, the party’s joint National Campaign Leader and lead Senate candidate for the Democrats in SA.

“That’s where the Democrats come in. For thirty years we exercised a responsible balance of power role in territory, state and federal parliaments.

“For thirty years we delivered stability, negotiating to improve legislation in the process.

“With the knowledge that the real power after the election will reside in the Senate, we are calling on voters to ensure that they return the Democrats to the Senate.

“Kevin Rudd wants a new way: well the Democrats have the runs on the board in giving government new ideas for new ways, and we’re ready.

“We’ll be fighting this election to re-establish a beach-head in the Senate so that we can continue to provide those new ideas,” said Ms Walker.

 

Media contact: Jeanie Walker

Joint National Campaign Leader

Australian Democrats

Phone: 0427 076336

Ms Walker will be available by phone 0427 076336 after 6.30am

Posted in Australian Democrats, Federal Election 2013, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

MEDIA RELEASE: 30th May 2013: AEC Decision Resolves National Executive Dispute

11/06/2013

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MEDIA RELEASE: 30th May 2013

AEC Decision Resolves National Executive Dispute

The Australian Electoral Commission today resolved a 10-month dispute within the national governing body of the Australian Democrats, determining those currently entitled to occupy key electoral positions.

The AEC decision reaffirms the membership rights and executive positions of two key office holders who were claimed by rivals to have either resigned from the Party or to have been expelled.

The AEC found that the rival group did not have the rights or powers to declare that National President Darren Churchill or Acting National Secretary Roger Howe had either resigned or been expelled.

Since last year, the dispute has led to the situation of two groups each claiming to be National Executive, producing rival National Journals. The decision effectively means that the faction which tried to take control of the Party has no legal standing as a “National Executive”.

The AEC inquiry examined the constitution and standing orders of the party and its National Executive and took submissions from contestants. It determined in favour of those who were already and had for some time, been registered with them.

Former Federal Parliamentary Leader, Lyn Allison, said that, with the umpire having ruled, the dispute is now over.

“This is an important and very clear decision by the AEC,” Ms Allison said.

“With less than four months until the Federal election, the party can now be rejuvenated and move forward with confidence in nominating candidates and organising its election campaign without the distraction of internal wrangling and legal challenges.”

“I encourage all members to put aside past differences and unite. This dispute was not about policy or direction so our vision for Australia is intact.

“We have a great party history to live up to and a good deal of work to do in giving Australians the chance to again be represented in the Federal Parliament by the Australian Democrats”.

Further information:

Bruce Hogben 0419 199 666 bhogben@internode.on.net

Australian Democrats (SA Division) Inc. Vice-President (Administration)

 

Lyn Allison 0407 691 512 lynallison4@gmail.com

Australian Democrats Senator for Victoria 1996-2008 and former Parliamentary Leader

 

AEC decision:

http://www.australian-democrats.org.au/downloads/letters/Reg5000PDF-Statement-of-Reasons.pdf

Posted in Accountability, Australian Democrats, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Media Release: 3rd January, 2013: Democrats Announce New National President

09/01/2013

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Media Release: 3rd January, 2013

Democrats Announce New National President

The Australian Democrats have concluded their ballot for a National President.

2011/12 National President, Darren Churchill, was re-elected to fill the vacancy created by the surprise resignation of Brian Greig shortly after his election. Mr Churchill, elected as Senior Deputy National President in July, had been the locum tenens in the absence of a President, following Greig’s resignation.

The new Senior Deputy National President (elected on a countback) is Roger Howe, who is also the Acting National Secretary.

The National President chairs the National Executive; sets the general agenda and direction of the organisation; is responsible for the overall supervision of the activities of the Party organisation; and is the party’s main spokesperson in the absence of a Parliamentary Leader, between election campaigns.

The National President is elected for a one-year term (coinciding with the financial year) by a national ballot of all members after members have had a chance to ask questions via the party’s official newsletter.

Acknowledging that the Democrats ground to a halt following factional infighting which arose as a result of Greig’s resignation, Mr Churchill says the party now has the task of consolidating and preparing for the forthcoming federal election.

“We have a big task ahead preparing for the federal election – fielding candidates, introducing them to the electorate and campaigning on our distinct policy agenda,” Mr Churchill said.

“I welcome the challenge. I’ve now got the endorsement of the membership, which is very important. I believe I have the right experience and the members have supported me because of this. I also know I have a good team of people working with me to get things back on track.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Media Contacts:

Darren Churchill

National President, Australian Democrats

0412 196 473

Roger Howe

Acting National Secretary, Australian Democrats

0431 527 845

Posted in Australian Democrats, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Media Release: Tuesday, 11th December: Backyard cricket rules

02/01/2013

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Media Release: Tuesday, 11th December

Backyard cricket rules

If Don Chipp was alive, the current group which has taken control of the Australian Democrats would expel him if he got in their way, says the most senior member of the party, the Senior Deputy National President, Darren Churchill.

Mr Churchill was responding to a statement from that group that they have expelled retired South Australian Democrats MP, Sandra Kanck.

“This group of just seven people is removing anyone who stands up to them and this includes former National Secretaries and Presidents.

“Like kids playing backyard cricket, they make up the rules along the way, and ignore the rules that do exist as it suits them.

The group targeted Ms Kanck because she belongs to environmental lobby group, Sustainable Population Australia.

When former Senator, Brian Greig, resigned as Democrats’ National President in August (only three weeks after being elected) a faction claiming loyalty to him, led by solicitor and migration agent, John Davey, proclaimed itself to be running the party and set about passing a series of unconstitutional motions to expel or suspend anyone who didn’t fit into their agenda.

“There are processes to be followed and this business will ultimately be sorted out constitutionally and democratically, and not by who controls the numbers” said Mr Churchill.

“Davey is not a spokesperson for the party – he has not been approved by our proper procedures and processes. The only constitutionally authorised person to speak to the media on National Executive matters is the National President. As that position is currently being decided, the locum tenens (or place-holder) is the Senior Deputy National President, which position I hold.

“Bullying is the only word to describe the deliberate targeting of one of our longest-serving MPs and her husband. Other party members who are also members of Sustainable Population Australia have not had this action taken against them.

“The actions of this small faction are as abhorrent to me as any right-minded person. Sandra Kanck remains a party member and has wide respect amongst the broader membership.

“A ballot is in process to choose a new President, and by the end of this month sanity will be on the way to being restored” Mr Churchill concluded.

 

Party objective no.2. To accept the challenges of the predicament of humanity on the planet with its exponentially increasing population, disappearing finite resources and accelerating deterioration of the environment

 

DARREN CHURCHILL

Senior Deputy National President

darren.churchill@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Australian Democrats, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »