MEDIA RELEASE: Monday, 19 July 2010: Labor/Greens preference deal shows the bias

19/07/2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 19 July 2010

Labor/Greens preference deal shows the bias

The Australian Democrats say the Greens/Labor preference deal is a message to voters that if they want a genuine balance of power party in the Senate they won’t get it if they vote for the Greens.

ACT Senate candidate, Darren Churchill, said that The Greens have shown this bias for many years, but it is time the spotlight was really shone it.

“Voters must know that if they vote 1 for The Greens their preferences will go to Labor whether they like it or not.

“It reveals that The Greens are fundamentally a left-based party.

“The Australian Democrats have always encouraged voters to make up their own minds and we intend to maintain that approach in this election.

“We have almost always registered a split ticket with the Electoral Commission, and our how to vote cards clearly advise voters that they can make their own choices.

“This grubby deal shows that if voters want a party that will consider legislation on its merits to represent them in the Senate then the Australian Democrats, as the progressive centre of Australian politics, should be their choice,” Mr Churchill said.

Further comment: Darren Churchill ph. 0412 196 473

Media Release: 15th July 2010 ACT Democrats announce 2010 No. 1 Senate candidate

15/07/2010

ACT Democrats 2010

Media Release: 15th July 2010

ACT Democrats announce 2010 No. 1 Senate candidate

The Australian Democrats in the ACT today announced their No. 1 Senate candidate for the 2010 Federal election.

The No. 1 Senate candidate is Darren Churchill.  Darren is President of the ACT Democrats and stood as a candidate in the 2008 ACT Legislative Assembly elections and for the seat of Fraser in the 2007 federal election. He has lived most of his life in the Canberra region. He has worked as a secondary teacher, in the music industry and is now a casual relief teacher and occasional fitness instructor. Darren’s main policy interests are sensible Economic policy, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, and policies that give ordinary people a “fair go.”

Darren was endorsed late last year by a party ballot, in the biggest voter turnout for some time. Darren Churchill (ACT) joins Roger Howe (Victoria) as the first two endorsed Australian Democrats Senate candidates.

The ACT Democrats are currently pre-selecting their No. 2 Senate candidate and other Divisions are expected to announce their candidates shortly.

“The Australian Democrats are ready for the challenge and believe voters are also ready for a change away from the unworkable obstructionism that currently exists in the Federal Parliament, and want to restore the ‘balance of reason’(1) in the Senate!” declared Darren Churchill

“We want to work with whoever is in government to ensure good legislative outcomes and fair legislation.” said Darren. “The Australian Democrats have 31 years of federal parliamentary experience to draw on. We are the natural party of the crossbenches, the negotiators – we are a party of the possible, not the party of “No!””

The Australian Democrats Senate candidates have at time performed quite well in the ACT. Norm Sanders (1990) and Rick Farley (1998) were both strong candidates. Before that, John Gorton was an independent candidate in 1975 backed by both the Australian Democrats predecessor parties, the Australia Party and the Liberal Movement.(2)

“It is a great honour and privilege to follow in the footsteps of some great Australian Democrats and my hero Sir John Gorton. These were people of the progressive centre, who were looking to the future – a better, fairer future. If elected as an Australian Democrats Senator for the ACT, I will continue the Party’s process of working for good legislative outcomes, specifically in policy areas that benefit Canberra and Canberrans and the Jervis Bay Territory.” Darren concluded.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats Senate Candidate for the ACT

darren.churchill@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

(1) The ‘balance of reason’ was a term coined by Australian Democrats founder, Don Chipp to show that holding the ‘balance’ in the Senate is more than just about exercising a ‘balance of power.’

(2) In 1977, the Australia Party and the remnants of the Liberal Movement (the New LM) merged to become the Australian Democrats. They had approached John Gorton in 1974 to lead them, eventually finding Don Chipp in May 1977.


Candidate for the Senate

Darren Churchill

Darren Churchill, 45, has lived most of his life in the Canberra region. Originally from Goulburn, he now lives in Kaleen. Darren has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Newcastle and a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Wollongong. He has taught in secondary schools in both NSW and the ACT and is a registered relief teacher.

Darren has also worked in the music industry doing sound and lighting, and in the early 1990s was a band manager. Currently, Darren also works casually as a group fitness instructor and fitness consultant. As a Christian (Anglo-Catholic), he has strong views on human rights, equality, social justice and inclusiveness. In the long tradition of the Australian Democrats, he stands with the voiceless the marginalised and the oppressed in the fight for justice and equality.

Darren is a vegetarian and is greatly concerned about animal welfare and food labelling. He was active as a volunteer in the campaign to reinstate South Sydney Rabbitohs to the NRL, and was active in the Canberra Cosmos and Belconnen Blue Devils Supporters Groups. He supports the proposal for an A-League team for Canberra.

Darren has been outspoken on matters of privacy, civil liberties and drug law reform.

Darren stands for getting the balance right in legislative decisions. The result needs to be the right mix for the environment, the economy and social justice. He is a straight talker who represents the core Australian Democrats values of honesty, tolerance and compassion. If elected, Darren will would give: support for the construction of a Very Fast Train system to link Canberra to Sydney and Melbourne; support for low carbon energy sources to give us a clean reliable sustainable energy future, and support for increased investment in high tech export products from the ANU, the CSIRO and local manufacturers, to help give Australia an alternative to agriculture and mining exports.

Darren will bring the Australian Democrats’ 31 years of legislative experience back to the Senate, continue the same process of working for good legislative outcomes and offer practical, balanced solutions from the progressive centre.

Darren Churchill

darren.churchill@democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

MEDIA RELEASE: 7th July, 2010: Statement on asylum seekers

07/07/2010

MEDIA RELEASE

7th July, 2010

Statement on asylum seekers

The National Executive of the Australian Democrats has voted to strongly oppose the offshore processing and demonising of asylum seekers and calls on the Gillard Labor Government to:

· Acknowledge that seeking asylum from violence, war, famine, torture and persecution is legal under international law;

· Stand up against the misinformation that the Abbott Liberal opposition is peddling about asylum seekers and not to bow to political pressure to reverse the ALP’s commitment to our human rights obligations;

· Ensure that Australia lives up to its obligations under United Nations Conventions on Human Rights and Refugees;

· Provide an assurance that no asylum seeker will be sent back to an environment that will endanger their lives or result in persecution, torture or other harm;

· Ensure that the process of assessing claims for asylum is open to public scrutiny, including temporary detention of asylum seekers on the mainland for health and security assessment purposes and opening up the detention centres to NGO scrutiny and monitoring of the standards of living and compliance with human rights;

· Ensure the efficient and expedient processing of claims and limiting of detention to a short period whilst health and security assessments are made. Once it is determined that there is no health or security risk, move asylum seekers to community based accommodation whilst their claim is finalised providing financial and case work assistance until an outcome has be reached;

· Ensure a transparent appeals mechanism to ensure procedural fairness to those asylum seekers appealing against the refusal of their claim for refugee status;

· Ensure that those who are found to be legitimate refugees are given adequate financial and resettlement support including but not limited to Medicare and Centrelink benefits, Job seeker assistance and Education and Training support.

Further comment: National President, Julia Melland ph. 0431357585 or Australian Democrats Human Rights Spokesperson, Sandra Kanck, ph 08 8336 4114 or 0417 882 143

Media Release: 30th June 2010: Random Drug testing law is costly and flawed, say Democrats

30/06/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 30th June 2010:

Random Drug testing law is costly and flawed, say Democrats

“The Legislative Assembly has failed Canberrans by passing a costly and flawed Random Drug Testing law.” says ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill

The Oppositions’ Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) (Random Drug Testing) Amendment Bill 2009 was rushed through the Legislative Assembly today with support from the Liberals and the Greens, despite the ACT Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Watchirs warning that the law would fail a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

“Dr Watchirs has repeated her concerns of two years ago that the legislation will breach the Human Rights Act. But the Assembly has gone ahead and passed this intrusive law anyway. “

“Not even so much as a statement of intent about “road safety” and simply ignoring the concerns of the Human Rights Commissioner. This clearly shows that the Liberals and the Greens are more concerned about increasing police powers than they are about human rights. And the Labor government is weak for not being able to negotiate a better outcome.” declared Mr Churchill

“Mr Stanhope was right to raise Dr Watchirs concerns. But it’s not enough. It is essential that all ACT legislation conform to our Human Rights Act 2004, which both the Labor government and the Australian Democrats have championed as being a good model for similar national legislation.”

“On top of this there is the added problem of stretching already insufficient police resources in order to implement the scheme. There will be no increases in police resources and training despite the time taken to test people and the cost involved, diverting police resources from solving real crime.”

“The law will make 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. Surely, it would be better to utilise police resources in improving the overall enforcement of traffic laws and other laws?” Mr Churchill continued.

“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 Blood Alcohol Concentration scientifically established.”

“The law must also be written to conform with our excellent Human Rights Act 2004.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Media Release: 30th June 2010: Proposed drug testing law raises human rights and effectiveness concerns, say Democrats

29/06/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 30th June 2010:

Proposed drug testing law raises human rights and effectiveness concerns, say Democrats

“The proposed Random Roadside Drug Testing legislation must be based on driver impairment levels and take account of the requirements of the Human Rights Act,” says ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill

The Oppositions’ Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) (Random Drug Testing) Amendment Bill 2009 is expected to be debated by the ACT Assembly this week. The government has already referred the Bill to the Police Chief and the Human Rights Commissioner for comment.

“We await with anticipation the report of the Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Watchirs,’ Mr Churchill said. “In a speech in 2008, Dr Watchirs outlined the need for human rights to be at the centre of the discussion and raised concerns about Random Drug Testing being compatible with the Human Rights Act 2004, particularly in relation to ‘arbitrary detention/arrest of the individual, subjecting people to have medical treatment without free consent, an arbitrary interference with their privacy, arguably creating problems of an unfair trial; negatively impacting on children’s rights.’

“No wonder Mr Stanhope has referred the proposed legislation to Dr Watchirs again! Our Human Rights Act is landmark legislation and has been widely championed by both the government and the Australian Democrats as being a good model for similar national legislation.”

“If it does meet the human rights test, other things the ACT Democrats would expect to see in the legislation are:

· An “intent” clause to ensure that the Bill is for “road safety” and not for any other purpose. This would allow protection of 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;

· Is there balanced and reasonable science from other Australian jurisdictions that Random Drug Testing is effective in contributing to improved road safety? Perhaps we need a “sunset clause” after which time the effectiveness of the legislation in it’s intent can be evaluated and reviewed, and if not effective that it be discontinued;

· an impairment provision to determine what level of a drug in the body is proven to impair driving to the equivalent of a 0.05% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Something such as the Standardised Field Sobriety Test (SFST) currently used in some form in US, NZ and Europe. This could be replaced by other more scientific tests as the research becomes available and enable testing for impairment by licit as well as illicit drugs;

· the removal or modification of Clause 12A (2) which could allow a pedestrian, a passenger or anyone at all to be tested and prosecuted. It should be deleted from the bill or clarified as to whom it refers;

· The increases in police resources and training that would be needed to implement such a costly and questionable scheme would perhaps be better utilised by improving the overall enforcement of traffic laws.”

“I made a submission (on behalf of the ACT Democrats), to Territory and Municipal Services just over two years ago where I raised many of the above points. It seems that more than two years down the track, we are still unable to determine an effective scientific or human rights basis for this legislation.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Media Release – Kevin Rudd Suffers Memory Loss – Forgets People With A Mental Illness Vote Too

23/06/2010

Media Release – Kevin Rudd Suffers Memory Loss – Forgets People With A Mental Illness Vote Too

The resignation of Prof. John Mendoza, the Rudd Government’s chief advisor on Mental Health, is a slap in the face to the one in four Australian voters whose lives are affected by mental illness, say the Australian Democrats.

“Prime Minister Rudd and health minister Roxon have shown contempt for mental health professionals and a total lack of interest in those with mental health problems.” Australian Democrats Victorian spokesperson for Mental Health David Scott Kane said today.

“Prof Mendoza – their appointment – and over 60 mental health organisations have tried to present a letter to Kevin Rudd with a suggested plan of action for mental health. The Prime Minister and his health minister have declined to receive it, a clear message the federal government isn’t listening on mental health.

“Psychiatrists have advised for decades that a key element in treating mental illness is acknowledging there is a problem.

“The Rudd government isn’t even prepared to take this basic step. They are in complete denial and have tried to play hide and seek with the advisor they appointed.”

Successive governments – federal and state – have failed the mentally ill, their families, their carers and the medical practitioners that support them. They’ve failed in funding, in infrastructure and failed again by refusing to look at industry-suggested solutions to the daily problems the mentally ill face.

“The system is pale, sick, lost and in dire need of urgent assistance. The cure is for this government to face the crises.

Mental health is now the leading disability in Australia. It is the foremost killer of those under 44. Yet the Rudd Government ignores it, and now chooses to ignore the man they appointed to deliver the message to them.

“Kevin Rudd seems to think if he states something it will magically resolve itself. Restating his commitment ‘to do more on mental health’ and that it’s ‘next cab off the rank’ seems to be about as committed as he was on supermarket pricing and climate change. We should be grateful he didn’t use it as an opportunity to demonstrate his powerful command of expletives.

Professor Mendoza and the mental health organizations are offering possible solutions to the problems faced by the mentally ill. Solutions to save lives. Solutions to save families pain and reduce the soul-destroying frustrations of thousands of people treating and caring for the mentally ill.

“The mentally ill, their families and the mental health field are justifiably angry at the Rudd Government for continuing the cycle of systemic failure imposed on them by the current mental health policy – or lack thereof. They should vote accordingly.

“Rather than save lives and advance this neglected field, the Rudd Government concerns itself with internal leadership navel gazing and bickering. They have forgotten the reasons they were elected,” Mr. Kane concluded.

Media contact – David Scott Kane 040 434 1025

Media Release: 14th June, 2010: Rudd government scared of everyone and everything.

14/06/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 14th June, 2010:

Rudd government scared of everyone and everything.

“First there was the seriously flawed internet filter, that expected ISPs to block web sites on a secret, arbitrary government list. Now there is the equally flawed proposal by the Attorney-General, which expects ISPs to record every web site you visit and keep copies of all your emails”, said ACT Democrats President and Privacy campaigner, Darren Churchill today.

The proposal is modelled on British legislation where telephone and Internet companies are forced to log details of communications for up to two years. But, only details about the date and time of each phone call, or each time a user connects to the Internet, are collected. The content of each communication is not stored.

“The Australian version is much more draconian. It contains no need for an interception warrant, as is required under current law. As far back as 2004, the Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) executive director Irene Graham said the that the then Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill “would remove all protection on users’ privacy and private e-mails and SMS messages would be easily accessible by government agencies”. And now the government wants to take us either further down this totally illiberal path.” stated Mr Churchill.

“Another major concern is the elimination of restrictions on how long the collected information will be kept by the government agency and to what extent it will be used.”

“Like the Internet filter, the Internet interception won’t work – for the same reasons. The real criminals will use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and encryption to avoid being caught.”

“So, what will the Bill achieve? It will place a massive storage burden on ISPs. It will significantly slow the Internet – on top of the slowing caused by the Internet filter. It will create a vast security problem – every ISP will have to keep these records secure and private, and there will be many copies at many ISPs for hackers to attack. It is a gross invasion of civil liberties and of personal privacy!” declared Mr Churchill.

“The government must explain why they regard this sort of legislation as necessary. If they claim it’s for our protection – then protection from whom? From what? And how do they believe the existing laws don’t do this already?”

Mr Churchill said, “The Democrats call on the Rudd government to stop being Big-Brother – stop treating ordinary, everyday people as if they are criminals. Don’t introduce draconian legislation that won’t even achieve the stated goals. Do the hard yards and find a solution that works without the flaws. And, the Democrats believe that existing legislation can achieve what is required.”

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

End the Gaza blockade now!

03/06/2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 3 June 2010

 

If there is one lesson to be learnt after the tragic deaths of innocent people in the “Free Gaza” peace flotilla, it is that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted immediately, say the Australian Democrats.

Spokesperson, Sandra Kanck, says that the world condemnation now needs to be directed to a positive outcome.

“There would have been no need for the peace flotilla in the first instance if Israel did not have Gaza cut off.

“As the disaster unfolded, Israel’s Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, said there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a claim which is damned by the facts.

“The United Nations, which has an ongoing presence in Gaza, is quite clear that the three year long blockade has had a seriously detrimental humanitarian impact.

“Livelihoods have been destroyed, with unemployment at more than 40%; the fishing fleet is prevented from going out to sea; daily electricity blackouts of between 4-8 hours occur because of the limited amount of fuel oil allowed across the border by Israel, which is counterproductive for the economy.

“The lack of material to maintain the water infrastructure in combination with the power blackouts sees 80 megalitres of raw and treated sewage released each day to the sea or leaking into aquifers. The consequence is that only 5-10% of water in aquifers meets WHO standards.

“Again, according to the UN, between 70 and 80% of the population of Gaza is now living in poverty, with many of them experiencing what is termed food insecurity, a new word for hunger.

“Israel now demands that aid in containers must be delivered on palettes, resulting in $1.5m of aid money having to be diverted to repackaging.

“UN staff advise that they are spending thousands of hours merely negotiating with the IDF to get permission to send material into Gaza.

“The facts speak for themselves, and the Australian Democrats call on the Australian Government to actively work for a lifting of the blockade,” said Ms Kanck.

Further comment: Sandra Kanck 08 8336 4114 (or 0417882143)

Media Release: 26th February, 2010: Proposed police powers laws labelled “Draconian” by Democrats

26/02/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 26th February, 2010:

Proposed police powers laws labelled “Draconian” by Democrats

ACT Democrats President and civil libertarian, Darren Churchill has urged Assembly members to avoid legislating draconian laws when they consider the government’s Crimes (Surveillance Devices) Bill and Serious and Organised Crimes Bill, introduced into the Legislative Assembly yesterday.

News reports yesterday stated that the government had introduced new ACT legislation to give police increased powers in fighting organised crime.

“We don’t want to see a local version of the draconian laws introduced in other States!” Mr Churchill declared.

“There need to be strong safeguards to protect against the misuse of electronic surveillance. Can we be assured that the forms of surveillance mentioned in the legislation will only ever be used with a warrant? And only ever when there is reasonable suspicion of the commission of a crime?”

“What guarantees are there that the “Emergency authorisation” provisions under Section 25 of the Crimes (Surveillance Devices) Bill will only ever be used in an emergency – and not just as an excuse to inappropriately assume extra surveillance powers?” questioned Mr Churchill

“Section 35A of the Serious and Organised Crimes Bill creates a new offence of “Affray.” This makes it an offence to threaten someone with unlawful violence or make them fear for their safety.”

“Doesn’t this already exist under the offence of “Assault”? We need to see clarification as to how the interpretation of these offences differs. Or is the government just trying to sound tough?” continued Mr Churchill.

“And surely penalties should be prescribed by the courts, not by legislation.”

“We are also concerned about the ACT Government’s plan to make it illegal to participate in a group which may or may not be labelled as illegal. Under Section 652 of the Serious and Organised Crimes Bill, it says that:

“A person commits an offence if the person—

(c) knows, or ought to have known, that the person’s participation

in the criminal group contributes to criminal activity.”

“I don’t think it is wise to concentrate heavily on membership of groups and the Australian Crime Commission has already said so in a submission to the Federal Government. Focusing on group activity is not an effective way to fight organised crime.”

“Alleged criminals should be charged for an offence they commit as individuals, but it is not right nor appropriate to charge someone for the group they may belong to and the people they associate with.”

“There are serious freedom of association issues at stake here, which echo the anti-bikie laws in other jurisdictions.” warned Mr Churchill

“A properly resourced and increasingly visible police presence would surely be more effective in combating all types of criminal activity, rather than invasive surveillance technology and draconian increases to police powers. The well-intentioned efforts to fight organised crime should not be at a cost of personal freedom. We don’t want to see organised crime legislation become the anti-terror legislation of the new decade.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Media Release: 22nd January 2010: ACT Democrats join Great Australian Internet Blackout.

22/01/2010

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 22nd January 2010:

ACT Democrats join Great Australian Internet Blackout.

The ACT Democrats call on Canberrans to join them in the Great Australian Internet Blackout from the 25th to the 29th January (including Australia Day) as part of a unified protest against the Government’s plan to censor the Internet.

ACT Democrats president, Darren Churchill said: “We will be blacking out our websites and social networking profile pictures as part of the protest to draw attention to our opposition to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s plan for a mandatory Internet filer. We ask all Canberrans who oppose mandatory Internet censorship to join us in this campaign.

The Great Australian Internet Blackout is part of an online and offline demonstration allowing all online users to blackout either their websites or social networking profiles from the 25th to the 29th January, or participate in events to be held on Australia Day.

National President of the Australian Democrats, Julia Melland, recently described the proposed mandatory filter as “a tool for tyranny” and said, “we must not allow the technology to be put in place and be potentially misused by this or any other Government.”

Mr Churchill continued; “Censorship is evil and is totally abhorrent to anybody who believes in basic freedoms. It is far too easy for censorship to become a tool of control by totalitarian governments. Once the technology is in place it will be extremely hard to get rid of it.”

”We know that Kate Lundy, for all her talk of opposing Conroy’s plan, will not cross the floor to vote it down when it is presented to the parliament next month. Nor will anyone else in the ALP government. They’re not allowed to!”

“But the ACT Democrats and I will continue to oppose this threat to our freedoms. Only individuals, especially parents and schools should have the right to determine for themselves and their families and students what is acceptable. Governments should not determine it.

“Mandatory censorship is the first step in totalitarianism. It will lead us to restricting all sorts of information. Governments which may seem okay, change when they sense an ability to gain greater power and control. This is the road that leads to total control and “Big Brother” regimes like China, Soviet Russia, Burma or Iran” continued Mr Churchill.

We ask all Canberrans to join us in sending a message to Mr Conroy. We don’t want this restriction on our Internet freedom! We will act now in this protest. And if our candidates are elected at this year’s federal election, we will act in parliament too!” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

President, Australian Democrats (ACT Division)

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473