Darren Churchill: Australian Democrats Campaigns

MEDIA RELEASE: 21 January, 2014:

Expunging sodomy convictions: the other parties start to catch up

More than 18 months after the Australian Democrats began calling for the expunging of sodomy convictions, other political parties are starting to catch up, say the Australian Democrats.

National President of the Australian Democrats, Darren Churchill, says it was always a no-brainer that justice was being denied to these men, some of whom are now quite elderly but who have continued to carry this unwarranted criminal record, but asks why it has taken so long for any action to occur.

“Both the Victorian Opposition and Government have promised to do something to make it happen, while the South Australian Government is ahead of them, having quietly passed legislation, albeit somewhat flawed, just last month.

“Although Victoria is behind SA, hopefully they will improve on what has been passed there.

“Of course, we congratulate the South Australian Government for its initiative, but the Spent Convictions (Decriminalised Offences) Amendment Act 2013 falls short because
a) the expungement is not automatic and the person with the criminal record has to apply to the courts for it to be removed, and
b) where there were associated convictions, as for example loitering, the new laws do not envisage the removal of those records.

“Despite the flaws, it is still a positive move, but it is unclear why there has been so little fanfare from the South Australian Government about the passage of these new laws.

“The Victorian legislation should be able to improve on this and make it easier still for these men who essentially became victims of a system of entrenched bigotry.

“There’s talk of legislation in NSW and the ACT, but more than talking is needed.

“We now call on the other states and territories to get on with the job and catch up with the forward thinking of the Australian Democrats,” said Mr Churchill.

Further information:
Darren Churchill
National President
darren.churchill@australian-democrats.org.au
0412  196 473

MEDIA RELEASE: Election 2010: Saturday, 14th August 2010

Opposition to gay marriage – same old pathetic excuses

Bigoted comments by right-wing Christians simply add credibility to the campaign being waged for same-sex marriage say the Australian Democrats.

The Australian Democrats’ lead candidate in the ACT, Darren Churchill, says that he will be proud to be attending the Same Sex Marriage protest rally in Petrie Plaza today and making a stand against their zealotry.

“It seems that every day we hear the shrill statements of one or another of these fundamentalists. Earlier in the week the lead Family First candidate in Queensland immortalised herself by claiming that legitimising gay marriage is like legalising child abuse.

“By Thursday we heard the blatant arrogance of the Australian Family Association saying that the Federal Government should provide cash bonuses to people who get married, but that should never apply to same sex couples.

“Contrary to what these scared people believe, the world would not fall apart if the Marriage Act allowed for legal same-sex marriage. It has happened without calamity in various places around the world and the Democrats have previously introduced legislation to this end.

“Unfortunately the leaders of these fundamentalist groups excel in the politics of hatred and fear.

“But examine the claims they make such as homosexuality being a lifestyle choice and it becomes very clear that they are misleading.

“Why would someone choose to be vilified, abused, insulted and assaulted as a lifestyle choice?

“Same sex attracted people are fully-fledged human beings, and not a sub-class. They deserve the same rights and respect as every other human being, and to be judged on their merits, such as their human-kindness, just as the Christian bigots should be,” said Mr Churchill.

Further comment:

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT

Tel: 0412 196 473