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

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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

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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

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Media Release: 29th May, 2011 Flawed and Unscientific Drug-driving Law Should be Repealed, say Democrats.

29/05/2011
DARREN CHURCHILL
ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 29th May, 2011

Flawed and Unscientific Drug-driving Law Should be Repealed, say Democrats.

The Legislative Assembly should repeal its draconian Drug Driving legislation says ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill.

Amendments which were passed by the Assembly on 1st December 2010 and 13th May 2011, have been rolled out in indecent haste in a matter of days.

Laws continuing to allow a prescribed concentration of alcohol, 0.05 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) will be in complete contrast to the zero tolerance approach in relation to drugs.

“This law should be repealed and should not be re-introduced until there is a proven scientific method of measuring the relationship between different quantities and types of drugs and the level of impairment to driving associated with them for a legislated drug induced impairment equivalent to 0.05 BAC scientifically established.”

“The law makes a mockery of the rules of evidence by disregarding the level of a drug required for impairment. This is just a facade of trying to appear tough on drugs with no real intention of improving road safety or public safety. Police resources would be better utilised in improving the overall enforcement of traffic laws and other laws” Mr Churchill continued.

“The legislation still does not contain even so much as a statement of intent about ‘road safety’ despite Democrat calls for it last year. And it still doesn’t appear to have addressed the concerns raised by the Human Rights Commissioner, nor the disregard of the rules of evidence. Yet, now it’s the law! What protections are there for persons randomly tested to ensure the results of any specimens collected under the legislation will not be able to be used to establish any offence that is not related to road safety?”

“Traffic Operations Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Jeff Knight has claimed that police will conduct random roadside drug testing in similar ways to drink driving operations. However, how can this be the case when Attorney-General Simon Corbell has admitted that drivers can expect to be detained on the roadside for up to ten minutes?” questioned Mr Churchill.

“Drivers will be detained without even the suspicion of the commission of a crime? It makes every driver or driving instructor into a suspected criminal!” Mr Churchill declared.

“In my submission (on behalf of the ACT Democrats), to Territory and Municipal Services just over three years ago, I recommended a BAC equivalent of impairment for drugs be scientifically established, before implementing such legislation.

“Our legislators are clearly more concerned about increasing police powers than they are about human rights and road safety. The law is unfair, unjust unsatisfactory and completely unimpressive. It must be repealed!” Mr Churchill concluded.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

President, Australian Democrats (ACT Division)

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Posted in Drugs and Alcohol | Leave a Comment »

A speech by Darren Churchill, 2010 Australian Democrats Senate Candidate for the ACT, at the Declaration of the Poll, Old Parliament House, 14 September 2010.

13/09/2010

A speech by Darren Churchill, 2010 Australian Democrats Senate Candidate for the ACT, at the Declaration of the Senate Poll, Old Parliament House, 14 September 2010.

Thanks Dr McRae.  I apologise for my lateness and for my voice (I’ve got a bit of the lurgy).

Firstly, congratulations to Senator Lundy and Senator Humphries on their re-election. Well done!

It was certainly an interesting campaign.

I’d like to thank the Australian Electoral Commission for their professionalism, advice and assistance before, during (and after) the election period. And for their professional and proper conduct of the election. I thank them for the respect and courtesy shown to our candidates. It is much appreciated, as is the AEC’s commitment to the electoral process.

It’s very difficult being the fourth horse in what some sectors portrayed as a three horse race. I’d like to thank the Canberra Times and The Chronicle (as well as the independent street papers) for their professionalism and acknowledgement of all candidates.

It is little wonder that one of my senior South Australian colleagues describes the Canberra Times as a “wonderful newspaper.”

2CC also deserve acknowledgement for their recognition of our part in the election.

I am incredibly impressed at how good those media were (on the whole) to us. Minor parties often have trouble getting coverage. But they acknowledged us and enabled the public to be informed.

WIN News, ABC Radio and SBS also gave us coverage in the last week of the campaign. And that has to be a first for the Australian Democrats. Although, I wish I could say the same for the first four weeks.

I must express my sincere disappointment at our ABC’s television coverage, which was not only biased, but their Stateline programme also seemed to see fit to engage in what can only be described as blatant political censorship. A change from three years ago when everyone was covered.

I thank the forum organisers, (especially) Tuggeranong Community Council, Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre, ACTCOSS and Family and Friends for Drug Law Reform for their inclusive and interesting fora. And I thank Michael Moore and John Warhurst for allowing us a say even when the organisers of other fora saw fit to exclude us.

Questions must also be raised over the participation of a pseudo-political party in the campaign. If organisations want to promote a particular agenda; and I believe it was a Labor-Greens agenda, they should declare their hand and be honest about who they are and what they want to achieve.

Despite many things being stacked against us, we did run good a campaign. We covered a lot of ground with a small and dedicated band of members and volunteers, a shoestring budget and a Senate-only campaign. I  thank the members and especially Anthony David (my running mate).  I could not have done any of this without him. Through all this, we held our ground from 2007, with only a minor decline of about 84 votes.

We raised good issues, pushed the Australian Democrats message, as a party of the progressive centre and were a part of the whole campaign. Even if some media and forum organisers deliberately chose to ignore this fact.

We now know which parties it will be who form the government. The message from the voters is very clear – you are all on notice. No party will have a secure majority – and to that end we should be glad of the result, even though the Australian Democrats were not returned in this election. The independents and minor parties will be under scrutiny like never before. And the spotlight will also be on the 24 hour media to make sure you are all held accountable.

The true test will be in whether or not members and Senators will have the guts to support legislation on it’s merits. Yes, a truly workable hung parliament relies on people crossing the floor. That’s how the Senate operated from 1981 to 2005. Now, both houses have the opportunity to see which “bastards” will stay honest to their constituents and which will toe the party line.

The Australian Democrats will continue to regrow. Liberalism is already showing a resurgence in other parts of the world (such as in the UK) and it’s time will come again in Australia. That time will see those of us who are not socialists, not conservatives and not greens – but who are true liberals, social liberals, returned as the progressive centre of Australian politics.

My sincere thanks once again to everyone. And congratulations to the newly re-elected Senators.

Thank you.

Posted in Declaration of the Senate Poll 2010, Federal Election 2010, Senate Campaign 2010, Speeches | Leave a Comment »

Post Election Thanks:

13/09/2010

Many thanks to the people of the AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY who voted for me and to those who wished me well.

Many thanks also to my supporters and helpers, both members of the Australian Democrats and others.

We held our ground from the last election,  winning roughly the same percentage of the vote.  And that’s not easy to do when much of the media and most forum organisers have largely decided that the focus will only be on the three big parties.

Our result was the  best Senate vote for an Australian Democrats team,  in this election.  I finished fourth out of nine on first preferences.

We fought a good campaign but lacked much media interest until the final week.   But getting attention in the final week is rare for the Australian Democrats,  so that was an achievement in itself.

I thank the Australian Democrats for allowing me the honour of representing them at the highest level of candidacy.

And to everyone, thanks again for your effort and support and the faith of those who voted for me.

Darren Churchill

Posted in Federal Election 2010, Senate Campaign 2010 | 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 »

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