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Media Release: 27th July, 2011: Remove “Big Brother” clause from Privacy Laws, say Democrats

27/07/2011
DARREN CHURCHILL
Australian Democrats National President

Remove “Big Brother” clause from Privacy Laws, say Democrats

The existing blanket exclusion for political parties from privacy laws covering databases and the storage of personal information exposes citizens to intrusion, mistreatment and abuse, say the Australian Democrats.

“It’s time for all political parties to be brought into line by the removal of the undemocratic Section 7c of the Privacy Amendment Act 2000,” declared Australian Democrats National President and long-term privacy campaigner, Darren Churchill.

“The Democrats opposed the legislation when it was introduced and Natasha Stott Despoja subsequently introduced a Private Members Bill which was defeated by Liberal and Labor.

“The singular focus of the major parties is on marginal voters in marginal seats – a handful of people. While this is a logical campaign tactic, it makes a mockery of the high democratic principles we hold so dear.

“Exempting political parties and, by default, their allied political activity and organizations from universal privacy principles is a licence to create extensive and intrusive databases with no higher purpose than to sway democracy.

“Section 7c exempts Members of Parliament, contractors, subcontractors and volunteers of political parties from laws covering the collection, storage and use of personal information for political purposes” explained Mr Churchill.

“This is not democracy in action, it is manipulation – it places political parties above other private organisations and is a total invasion of privacy. Our laws have not kept abreast of developments in computer technology”

“When people from the big parties come door-knocking, they know exactly the issues which can change your vote. Not only have they been profiling you, they can add in any privately commissioned poll you may have answered.

“The bloke at the door is not your friendly candidate; he is Big Brother Labor or Big Brother Liberal.”

“Further, these databases risk abuse by anyone the party may choose to give access. This state of affairs erases voter sovereignty.

“No sales representative has the right to a detailed collection of private personal information of potential customers, and nor should political parties.”

“The Australian Democrats have a long history of standing up for privacy issues. We opposed Hawke’s “Australia Card,” Howard’s “Access Card,” and more recently raised privacy concerns (which were echoed by the Privacy Commissioner) on the implementation of Unique Health-Care Identifiers. We opposed Section 7c when in the Senate in 2000, and we’re calling for its removal now.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

National President, Australian Democrats

darren.churchill@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Privacy, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

MEDIA RELEASE: Monday, 11th July, 2011: GILLARD’S CARBON TAX FAILS LOW INCOME FAMILIES

11/07/2011

National President
Darren Churchill

 MEDIA RELEASE :   Monday, 11th July, 2011

GILLARD’S CARBON TAX FAILS LOW INCOME FAMILIES

The Gillard government’s tax changes in the carbon price scheme do little for low- income families while imposing real and permanent costs on the vulnerable, Australian Democrats National President Mr Darren Churchill said today.

“Low income families lack the financial capacity to re-engineer energy use with new low-energy appliances and altered consumption patterns.

“Many of these marginal households are already struggling to raise children in hardship conditions. They must watch every cent they spend, every day of the year. They are caught by poverty traps in the interplay between the social security system and low paid or casual work.

“The greatest incentive to work and employment any government can confer is to allow low-income earners to keep the fruits of their labour.

“We campaigned loud and long in the last federal election to lift the tax-free threshold to at least $25,000. That $25,000 tax-free figure must be the starting line before offsets for the carbon tax begin to be calculated – and it’s not too late to amend the legislation.

“The Howard government’s three sweeping tax cuts for high income earners and the constant erosion of 2.5 to 3 per cent inflation over recent decades shrank the progressive nature of income tax. Progressive personal income tax rates are a key tool for government in fulfilling the national objective of poverty reduction.

“PM Gillard should have seized the opportunity presented in putting a price on carbon to completely remake personal income taxes. Instead, she has dribbled out ‘offsets’ and pretends they avoid disadvantage.

“Old age pensioners will suffer too. Deaths among the elderly always peak with the hottest and coldest days each year. The elderly poor will now be ‘incentivised’ through higher costs to cut their energy consumption at these extremes.

“If death rates spike in this group after energy is re-priced, we will know why.

“The Democrats actively support a carbon price to slow anthropogenic climate change and reduce atmospheric pollution,” Mr Churchill concluded. “But as usual, government has fallen short of the mark”.

Media comment: Darren Churchill ph. 0412196473

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Ginninderra electoral “count-back.”

29/05/2011

Ginninderra electoral “count-back.”

And so, I (briefly) find myself a candidate for Ginninderra again…

The resignation of former Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope from the ACT Legislative Assembly on 16th May, 2011 has created a casual vacancy in the electorate of Ginninderra.  Under the ACT’s Hare-Clark electoral system, casual vacancies are filled by a “count-back” of the remaining unsuccessful candidates from the last election.  Of course, those candidates must still meet the eligibility requirements and submit an application form if they wish to be considered for the “count-back.”

On the 19th May, I received an invitation from Elections ACT to apply to be part of the “count-back” process; and announcing the subsequent publication of the casual vacancy in the Canberra Times.  I am pleased to say that I do meet the eligibility requirements and on Friday, 27th May, I successfully lodged my application form for the “count-back.”

Once again, a member of the Australian Democrats is seeking election to public office.

The process is thus:

  • the person must have been a candidate for that seat in the last ACT Election;
  • the person must have not been elected;
  • the person must meet the eligibility requirements under the Electoral Act 1992;
  • the appropriate form must be correctly lodged with Elections ACT by midday, 10 days after the publication of the vacancy in the Canberra Times (so, 30th May, 2011);
  • if he/she is the only candidate who applies; he/she is declared elected;
  • if more than one candidate applies; the “count-back” is conducted by Elections ACT;
  • during the “count-back” the ballot papers of the vacating MLA are redistributed to those candidates who have applied to contest the vacancy;
  • votes are distributed until the preferences exhaust. If there is still no winner, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated until a candidate achieves 50% + 1 (ie. an absolute majority) and is declared elected;
  • the electoral commissioner, Phil Green, tells me the “count-back” is all done by computer and takes about 30 seconds (so, as I have said above – I am briefly a candidate again);
  • if no-one applies to contest the casual vacancy, it is filled by a nomination from the same party as the vacating MLA.  This point does not apply in this instance because I have applied, and there may be others.

I stand by the promises I made during the 2008 Election (subject to any that may have been superseded by events).

The “count-back” will take place on Monday, 30th May at approximately 12.30pm.  The Declaration of the Poll will occur on Wednesday afternoon, 1st June at 3.00pm.

I am grateful for this opportunity.  I will do my best to be an effective Member for Ginninderra, if the “count-back” should determine me elected.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats endorsed, “Ungrouped” candidate for Ginninderra (2008) in the Ginninderra “count-back” 2011.

0412 196 473

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

As the elected Senator for the ACT I will:

20/08/2010

As the elected Senator for the ACT I will:

· balance economic policy with social and environmental considerations. Good economic management is about getting the balance right. It’s a “triple bottom line;”

· return a “balance of reason” to the Senate;

· vote with my conscience on all issues;

· support human rights, civil liberties and privacy;

· fairly represent the interests of all people in the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory, regardless of race, gender, religion or place of origin;

· maintain the traditional Australian Democrats principle of supporting legislation that is fair and equitable and seek to amend and make fairer that which is not (sensible negotiation);

· ensure that whichever party forms the government, they are held accountable for their actions;

· support industries that create jobs and are kind to the environment, and not those that will make problems for future generations. NO uranium mining and NO nuclear reactors;

· encourage investment in sustainable agricultural practices and sensible rural water management.

· encourage sensible use and management of urban water;

· encourage and support environmentally sustainable practices in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Posted in Darren Churchill, Federal Election 2010, Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Elect a true liberal to the Senate

20/08/2010

Tired of Labor?

Worried the Liberals are too conservative?

Don’t trust the Greens?

There IS an alternative:

Vote DEMOCRATS!

The Australian Democrats are not beholden to big business or the unions or chained to any extreme ideology or religion. We are a party that makes judgements based on what is fair and just and moral. We are the only party that simply fights for what is right.

For honesty, tolerance and compassion.

You can Depend on us!

AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS!!!

You CAN change the world!

VOTE DEMOCRATS!!!

Give a Damn!

Posted in Darren Churchill, Federal Election 2010, Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Spot the difference between Greens rhetoric and action

18/08/2010

MEDIA RELEASE: Election 2010: Thursday, 19th August, 2010

Spot the difference between Greens rhetoric and action

The Australian Democrats’ Senate candidate for the ACT, Darren Churchill, is encouraging voters to spot the difference between the rhetoric and action of The Greens when it comes to campaign donations.

Greens campaigning material

“The Greens are not funded by big corporate donors and special interests.”

Fairfax media 18th August

“The Greens have received their largest-ever political donation with a disaffected Victorian blue-collar union giving $325,000 to help the party win the seat of Melbourne and its first Victorian Senate spot.”

Mr Churchill argues that The Greens have obviously got a different understanding of the English language than the rest of the population.

“They have tried to paint themselves as whiter than white, but their own campaigning material shows the truth of the matter: they have accepted a very large donation, and it has come from a very big ‘special interest’ group.

“In their self justification they have shown themselves to be little different to other political parties.

“In accepting money from what is a powerful interest group, The Greens are trying to portray themselves as just a little bit pregnant.

“Hypocrisy just doesn’t wash,” said Mr Churchill

Further comment:

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT

Tel: 0412 196 473

Note: The Australian Democrats have actively sought corporate funding, albeit selectively by avoiding businesses involved in, for example, nuclear and “defence” industries, and have always been very upfront about those donations.

Posted in Accountability, Electoral Reform, Federal Election 2010, Political Donations, Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

NBN is essential for small business but filter will ruin efficiency

18/08/2010

ANTHONY DAVID

Australian Democrats Senate candidate

Media Release: 18th August, 2010

NBN is essential for small business but filter will ruin efficiency

The Australian Democrats support the National Broadband Network (NBN) project and will support its ongoing rollout.

“We are disappointed that the Federal Government has done such a poor job in selling the idea to the public” said Anthony David, ACT Senate Candidate and Information Technology spokesman.

“Vague references to productivity, Smartgrid and universal access are not compelling arguments”

“The Coalition’s broadband plan would have been welcome if they had released it a decade ago. It will not provide for Australia’s future needs”

“The NBN is good for consumers, good for communities and good for business. It will reshape digital communications and how we interact as a nation”

“The Labor party need to drop the mandatory ISP filter as it runs counter to the efficacy of the NBN.” continued Mr David. “We also need assurances that the current broadband arrangement where the wholesaler of services competes directly with retailers has no chance of being entrenched in the new system”

“Remote communities and farmers need access to national and international information and services as much as those in urban communities”

“For over two decades, small and medium sized businesses in particular have been hampered by overpriced and under-performing wide-area digital communications. The Australian Democrats want to see reasonable prices for business plans with good upload bandwidth. This will enable efficient communications between businesses and their customers, their suppliers and their remote offices”.

In conclusion, Mr David said “Hand-in-hand with these new business opportunities is the need for capital markets in Australia to help fund innovative business ideas, including social enterpreneurs, enabled by this new technology”

Anthony David

Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT

anthony.david@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0414 581 385

Anthony NBN

Posted in Censorship, Federal Election 2010, Information Technology, National Broadband Network (NBN), Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Media bias towards big parties denies the voters a true choice.

16/08/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

Australian Democrats Senate candidate

Media Release: 16th August, 2010

Media bias towards big parties denies the voters a true choice.

The Australian Democrats are calling on the media to end their biased approach of presenting only Labor, Liberal and Green candidates on the ABC in particular, and on television and radio in general.

Four political parties and an independent are contesting the Senate election in the ACT for two Senate seats but some sections of the media are doing their best to ignore the existence of the Australian Democrats and the other candidate, independent John Glynn. Australian Democrats preferences are likely to decide the result in an expected close contest.

“Almost all the focus has been on Labor, Liberal and Green. My party, the Australian Democrats, seems to be overlooked yet again,” said Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT, Darren Churchill. “The exception was for minor coverage about our preference arrangements – and even then it was from the perspective of the ever-whinging Greens, and our perspective was not given.”

“People say to me, ‘So, you are still around. Why aren’t you mentioned on the radio/TV? Aren’t you doing any media?’ The decision of the ABC in particular, to either ignore or omit us is nothing short of blatant political censorship!” declared Mr Churchill.

“Despite repeated requests to be included on Stateline and other programs, Stateline still went to air last Friday without us and my phonecalls to the ABC on other programs are responded to with ‘we’ll call you back if we have time,’ even when one of the other parties declines to take part.”

“Who gives the ABC the right to decide who the voters are informed about or not?” queried Mr Churchill. “It’s not their place to decide who is in the election or not. The voters of the ACT have a right to be informed about all their choices, not just the big parties.”

“The ABC’s ‘Code of Practice’ 2008, states that in regard to news and current affairs content: ‘Content will be impartial. Editorial judgements will be based on news values. One perspective will not be favoured over others’.” continued Mr Churchill “Why is the ABC determining who is to be heard? It prides itself on being a community broadcaster but the accusation of bias directed at it appears to be right. Is it our ABC or does it belong to the big political parties? All of the candidates have a right to be heard. It’s not democratic! Clearly the ABC has not adhered to it’s own ‘Code of Practice.’”

“Things might be different in other states and territories but Canberra has biased reporting, and the public needs to be informed, particularly for this election, because people are confused about the policies of Labor and Liberal, and the Greens are coming out with some very strange remarks.”

“The Australian Democrats are here. We are a part of this election. And the good people of Canberra are being short-changed!” Mr Churchill concluded.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT

darren.churchill@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Accountability, Censorship, Federal Election 2010, Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Greens lies make them unworthy of voters trust

16/08/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

Australian Democrats Senate candidate

Media Release: 16th August, 2010

Greens lies make them unworthy of voters trust

The Australian Democrats have refuted the lies being spread by the ACT Greens about preferences and the willingness to be negotiators, accusing the Greens of being unworthy of voters’ trust.

Interjecting at a GetUp! Senate forum yesterday, at which he was deliberately excluded by the organisers, Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT, Darren Churchill waved a list of environmental outcomes in the air, calling out to the Greens candidate: “Here’s a list of the things for the environment we negotiated with the previous government – all of which you opposed!”

And when the Greens accused Mr Churchill of reneging on a preference deal his response was “That’s a lie!”

Explaining his version of events, Mr Churchill said: “One thing we learned from Chipp was the importance of not allowing anything untrue or inaccurate said or published about oneself, on the public record, to go un-refuted.”

“There was no deal on preferences with the Greens. The Australian Democrats decide where our preferences go, not the Greens. And voters always have the option of voting below the line.”

“But it’s all about who is prepared to act in the interest of the ACT. Being prepared to cross the floor against your party line in the interest of your constituents is what ‘keeping the bastards honest’ is all about. Kate Lundy is bound by her party rules and would be expelled for crossing the floor. The Greens can’t be trusted. Over two decades we have found that the Greens have misrepresented the Democrats again and again.

“That leaves small ‘l’ Liberal Gary Humphries, who has crossed the floor for the ACT in the past. If I am unsuccessful in being elected, then Gary Humphries is the least worst alternative for Canberra.” continued Mr Churchill

“As for the claim that the Greens want immediate action on the environment there must have been some latter day conversion. But I doubt it – although the Rudd Government’s ETS was flawed, it would have been a start, it would have been better than nothing, but the Greens voted it down.

“By contrast a list provided to me by our former parliamentary leader shows where the Australian Democrats achieved environmental outcomes in negotiations with the previous government,” said Mr Churchill.

“It reads: ‘We also negotiated hundreds of amendments to the new (in 1999) Federal environment laws, strengthening them very substantially. Before that the Commonwealth had very few powers over development impacting on the environment. (We started this reform by initiating and chairing an inquiry reporting in 1997 on the need for Commonwealth environment law.)

Thanks to our negotiation, Australia had for the first time, standards governing fuel emissions and eventually matched Europe’s standards

We negotiated renewable energy for thousands of off-grid, remote communities that previously relied on diesel for power generation.

And two extensions of the rooftop PV grants.

We negotiated $400 million to leverage large scale energy efficiency in big industry.

The Greens opposed all the above.’

“This clearly shows where the Australian Democrats have negotiated good things for the environment, while the Greens have just huffed and puffed and talked and told lies.”

“If I am elected, I will continue the good work of the Australian Democrats. We need action, not just talk on the environment. I will deliver, because you deserve better!” Mr Churchill concluded.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT

darren.churchill@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Accountability, Climate Change, Environment, Federal Election 2010, Media Releases, Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized, Values | Leave a Comment »

Climate change – Nuclear power still not a solution

14/08/2010

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

Climate change – Nuclear power still not a solution

Nuclear power still costs the earth and is not a solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions say the Australian Democrats.

The Australian Democrats’ lead candidate in the ACT, Darren Churchill, who will be attending the Walk for Warming rally at Parliament House tomorrow, says that only genuine ecologically sustainable energy sources can make the difference.

“Those advocating nuclear power do not take all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle into account, such as the damage caused by uranium mining. The expansion of the Roxby Downs mine in South Australia on its own will account for a one percent increase in Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

“With less than a week to go before the Federal election, today will be an opportunity for candidates to pin their colours to the mast, and in my team there is 100% agreement that climate changes is human induced and that we need urgent action.

“Voters need assurance that they are electing candidates who base their views on science and not economic greed or religious faith.

“Tony Abbott’s latter day conversion to belief in climate change is electoral pragmatism, and comments last week by the Liberal member for Bradfield in NSW that potential for low-carbon technologies was rhetoric should give voters pause for thought.

“The Labor Party pandered too much to business in their ETS, and The Greens were useless by voting it down completely. Had the Democrats been in the parliament we would have negotiated with the Government to improve the package and get something through.

“With the Liberal Party wanting to slowly greenhouse gas us to death, the Labor Party wanting another talkfest and the Greens just blocking, Australians certainly deserve better than what they have offered. With the Democrats back in the parliament Australians can be sure that actions to deal with climate change will supported and always improved,” said Mr Churchill.

Further comment:

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats Senate candidate for the ACT

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Federal Election 2010, Senate Campaign 2010, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

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