Posts Tagged ‘Media Releases’

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Media Release: 18-11-2007: Democrats Defend Gay Rights

18/11/2007

Bring Back Balance

ACT Democrats 2007

Media Release 18 November 2007

Democrats Defend Gay Rights

“Discriminatory laws against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (GLBTI) people must be changed” says Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

In August, the Australian Democrats introduced a Same-Sex Entitlement Bill into the Senate. The Bill aimed to amend the 58 discriminatory laws identified by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in their report of May 2007, Same-Sex: Same Entitlements, as being discriminatory against same-sex couples.

“A truly liberal democratic society would have ended these intolerant, discriminatory laws long ago” Mr Churchill said. “They are laws that encourage and entrench bigotry and homophobia and this cannot be allowed to continue.”

“The Liberal/National coalition and the Labor party have a bad record on issues aimed at ending discrimination against GLBTI people. Only the Democrats have consistently supported equality on sexuality and gender identity issues.”

“We’ve made a number of attempts at getting anti-discrimination laws passed to protect the rights of GLBTI people. Our Sexuality and Gender Identity Discrimination Bill and our Sexuality Anti-Vilification Bill are just two examples.

“Democrats initiatives have managed to get property rights extended to same-sex in relation to private superannuation funds. We will keep the pressure up to get the same entitlements extended to same-sex couples under public superannuation schemes.”

“I call on the coalition and the ALP to commit to redressing the laws which discriminate against same-sex couples, and to recognise that all Australians are equal.”

“It doesn’t matter whether a person is gay, straight or whatever. We are all human beings. And in sharing a common humanity, in the name of love, all people have a right to be treated with dignity, respect and equality under the law.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release: 18-11-2007: Nuclear Madness

18/11/2007

Bring Back Balance

ACT Democrats 2007

Media Release 18 November 2007

Only the Democrats can stop the nuclear madness

“Only the Australian Democrats can stop a nuclear reactor being built in the Jervis Bay Territory”, says Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

The Jervis Bay Territory has long been considered as a site for Australia’s first Nuclear Power Station. And with the government committed to a nuclear future, the Territory is likely to be pushed as one of their 25 proposed sites.

“The Liberals want to commit Australia to a nuclear future. Labor tries to have it both ways, saying they oppose reactors but intending to expand uranium mining. And the Greens can’t be trusted because they have done a preference deal with the Labor party who they know are pro-uranium, and because some so-called environmentalists are pro-nuclear’ Mr Churchill said.

“The Australian Democrats position has always been that we want a clean Australia, with no uranium mines, no nuclear reactors and no radioactive waste. We don’t do deals with pro-nuclear parties. And we support the Non Proliferation Treaty on nuclear weapons. Nuclear power and proliferation of weapons are two sides of the same coin. It is a dangerous path to go down.”

Mr Churchill, who visited the Jervis bay Territory (which includes Booderee National Park) two weeks ago said, “It is an absolutely beautiful area. I will not allow Jervis Bay (or any other part of my electorate) to be destroyed by a horrible, dangerous nuclear reactor.”

“The only way the people of Fraser (and Australians generally) can guarantee that we will not proceed down the path of nuclear stupidity is to elect the Australian Democrats to the Senate and the House of Representatives. We will ensure that the money they intend to spend on this lunacy will be put to better investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.” concluded Mr Churchill.

 

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release: 16-11-2007: Democrats demand full Inquiry into anti-terror laws

16/11/2007

Bring Back Balance

ACT Democrats 2007

Media Release 16 November 2007

Democrats demand full Inquiry into anti-terror laws

“A full and wide ranging inquiry is needed into Australia’s anti-terror laws!” insists Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

Inquiries have been announced by both the Inspector-General of Intelligence & Security, Ian Carnell and the Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Keelty.

Mr Churchill said, “That’s not enough. It’s far too simplistic to assume that public confidence can be restored in our Federal police and Intelligence agencies by internal watchdog inquiries”

“There’s far too much power been given to our enforcement agencies under the government’s anti-terror laws. The courts have recognised the risk to basic human rights under the laws. At the very least, we need a Senate Select Inquiry to investigate the matter and redress the balance. The Ul-Haque and Haneef cases clearly show there are major problems”

“These intrusive and unfair laws were passed by the collusion of both Liberal and Labor. Only the Democrats have consistently questioned the lack of accountability under the laws.”

“I’ve often stated that our Parliament, courts and security agencies need to be accountable. That our freedoms are precious and need to be protected, not given away through legislation that seeks to control the very people it is supposed to protect. It is society at it’s worst when poor decisions in relation to our laws fail to uphold the very freedoms they claim to protect” stated a deeply concerned Mr Churchill

As recently as Tuesday, Mr Churchill had called for a review of the anti-terror laws, in the light of the Ul-Haque decision by Judge Michael Adams.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release: 15 November 2007: Paid Maternity Leave is an issue for the whole family

15/11/2007
Media Release 15 November 2007

Paid Maternity Leave is an issue for the whole family

“If the government and opposition were serious about helping familles, a system of government funded National Paid Maternity leave would have been in their list of promises” claims Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill

Both Liberal and Labor launched their official election platforms this week. But neither of them would commit to introducing national Paid Maternity Leave. There are currently some provisions for Paid Maternity Leave in the public sector, but most women are left to negotiate for Paid Maternity Leave arrangements at the workplace level or use other leave instead.

“This is a family issue, not simply a women’s issue” Mr Churchill said. “When a family is used to having two incomes (as many are these days) and one partner has to take unpaid time off work to care for a new baby, the other partner has the added pressure of meeting the shortfall in income by having to work longer hours or find a second job. This puts added pressure on families at a time when they can least afford it.”

“A national Paid Maternity Leave scheme would enable women to easily return to work, prevent their loss of skills from the workforce, keep superannuation entitlements intact and reduce the burden on families with a new child.”

“It is a better, fairer, and economically cheaper system than the Baby Bonus. It would bring Australia into line with all OECD countries, except the United States. And it should be available to all women immediately on the birth or adoption of a child.”

“Legislation for Paid Maternity Leave was introduced into the Senate by the Democrats just before the last Parliament rose. And it’s high time the old parties got on board with this common sense idea.” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release: 14-11-2007: Time for Action on Refugee Rights

14/11/2007

 

Media Release 14 November 2007
Time for Action on Refugee Rights

“Mandatory detention is cruel, heartless and totally lacking in common sense and compassion!” declared Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

The last two nights, the ABC programme Lateline has reported at length the wrongful detention of Vietnamese man, Tony Tran. Mr Tran’s physical and mental health has suffered as a result of being wrongfully imprisoned in a detention centre in 1999, despite having a visa.

“It’s time to close the barbaric and inhumane detention centres and remove mandatory detention from the Migration Act.”

“Cases like Mr Tran and Cornelia Rau are clearly not isolated incidents. It is offensive to any concept of human decency, that in a society claiming to be civilised we continue to gaol people who are totally innocent. Human beings (including children) are being locked up, under the Migration Act, for nothing short of political expediency”, said Mr Churchill

Mr Churchill called for an end to the practice and a return to the values of compassion and tolerance.

“We urgently need legislation which protects the rights of all who live in Australia and all who seek a better life in Australia”

“It is cruel, heartless, and totally lacking in any concept of intelligence and compassion that basic human rights are ignored by the Migration Act. It’s time to pay proper attention to human rights” concluded Mr Churchill.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release 13-11-07: Anti-Terror Laws Need Urgent Overhaul

13/11/2007
Media Release 13 November 2007

Anti-Terror Laws Need Urgent Overhaul

 

Basic rights are being eroded under anti-terror laws claims Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

National Nine and ABC News tonight detailed a report of a case in Sydney, where Judge Michael Adams had rule that ASIO officers had falsely imprisoned and used “oppressive conduct” in interrogating a medical student Izhar Ul-Haque

Mr Churchill, who last week addressed The Justice Project “Human Rights Forum” at Dickson College on the topic of accountability and human rights in the face of increased anti-terror laws, tonight echoed the Australian Council for Civil Liberties belief that “the judge’s findings indicated serious problems with the way ASIO operated.”

The court has shown the ridiculous “power creep” that has happened under the anti-terror laws introduced by the government and supported by the opposition.

It’s a question of accountability. And the court has shown that our enforcement agencies are becoming ‘overenthusiastic’ and indeed are overstepping the mark.

The fact that agencies such as ASIO and the police are there to protect us should not exclude them from scrutiny and accountability” Mr Churchill said.

“The treatment of Mr Ul-Haque is abhorrent and totally outside the principles of a civilized society. I welcome the court’s decision in upholding the principle of a person’s basic legal rights as a citizen. We need accountability and need to make sure our laws uphold the freedoms they set out to protect.” stated Mr Churchill.

Mr Churchill called for a complete review of anti-terror laws to include safeguards to protect the privacy and legal rights of citizens, as a matter of urgency.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

(Link to Australian Democrats “Human Rights Policy”: http://natashastottdespoja.com/cms_resources/Human%20Rights%20Policy%20Election%2007.pdf)

(Link to Senator Stott Despoja’s “Human Rights Media Release”: http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=6339&display=1 )

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Australia’s First Environment Party

12/11/2007

darrenwaw.jpgBring Back Balance

Australian Democrats

Media Release 11 November 2007

Australia’s First Environment Party

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill, used today’s Walk Against Warming rally in Civic to remind voters of the Democrats role as Australia’s first environment party.

Mr Churchill was handed a microphone as he joined protestors in leaving Ainslie Avenue, along London Circuit.

“The Australian Democrats were Australia’s first environment party. For thirty years, we’ve been speaking up on environmental issues and introducing environmentally supportive legislation!” stated an emphatic Mr Churchill. “The only way to ensure that continues is to vote 1 Churchill for Fraser, and for Norvan Vogt and Anthony David in the Senate.”

Significant environment victories for the Democrats have included the World Heritage Properties Protection Bill 1982, protection for Australia’s rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, removing tax deductions for destroying native trees, protection of environment and heritage sites, excise cuts for clean fuels, greenhouse abatement and vehicle conversion packages for alternative fuels. There have been many others.

A vegetarian, Mr Churchill today gave support to the Vegetarian Society’s call for “Diet Change for Climate Change.” “It’s important to think about how the way we live impacts on Global Warming. Looking at all aspects of our lifestyle, including diet, are part of that.” Mr Churchill said after the rally.

Immediately following the Walk against Warming, Mr Churchill made himself available at the Australian Democrats stall to meet voters and discuss the Democrats environment policies.

“The Democrats have always regarded environmental protection and sustainability as being an extremely important economic, moral and social issue. It’s all about getting the balance right between the environment, the economy and social justice”, declared Mr Churchill.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Media Release – 6 November 2007- Return Senate preferences to the voters

08/11/2007
preference_deals.pngMedia Release 6 November 2007

Return Senate preferences to the voters

“Senate preference deals have taken the election of the Senate away from the people and given it to political parties!” claims Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

Much attention has been focused in the last week on who has done deals with whom in preference tickets lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission for “Above-the-Line” Senate voting.

“Above-the-Line voting commits voters to their preferences going the way the party whose box they number directs them. It takes the power of preference allocation away from the voter,” said Mr Churchill

“Only Below-the-Line voting allows voters to allocate preferences to the parties/candidates of their own choice. It is far more democratic and makes it harder for party organisers to predict the outcomes. This gives more power to the voter. It should rightly be the only option for Senate voting.”

“The Senate is meant to be elected by proportional representation. As such it is meant to be the most democratic form of election. What actually happens is it ends up being predominantly elected along party lines at the dictate of party preference deals. These undemocratic preference swaps have led to a reduction of democracy in Senate elections.”

“When the people control where their preferences go, it reflects their will. When the political parties control the preferences, the process becomes bastardised. It’s time to return to electoral honesty,” Mr Churchill said.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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2018 World Cup plans highlight need for junior player development pathways

01/11/2007
ACT Democrats
Media Release 30 October 2007

2018 World Cup plans highlight need for junior player development pathways

“Canberra should have a top grade football (soccer) team in both men’s and women’s competitions”, says Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill.

Local ABC TV tonight announced Australia is likely to bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The ACT has more junior footballers than anywhere else in Australia. In football, as in other sports, we have to give our young players something to aspire to.

Democrat policy aims to promote junior sport and participation in sport at all ages. Canberra football is a prime example of the need for government support for player development pathways.

“We have a stadium that has hosted Olympic football, and World Cup Rugby, but we haven’t had a team in the national football competition since the Cosmos was axed from the old NSL competition in 2001.

Last week former Canberra Cosmos coach (current Matilda’s coach), Tom Sermanni was nominated as a likely Asia Coach of the Year, after the Matilda’s strong performance in the Women’s World Cup.

It was great when we had the Cosmos and the Eclipse (women’s team) in the national competitions. The Belconnen Blue Devils made the NSW Premier League finals almost every year they played in that competition. Canberra Deakin (now Canberra FC) won their final year in the National Youth League. We have lots of talent, but need a pathway to keep young football talent in Canberra and to give us representation in the national football competitions.

A start would be to be to get a team back in the NSW Premier League. Playing out of the McKellar Soccer Centre, and also get a Canberra team in a new national women’s competition, with a view to eventually putting in a successful A-League bid.

“Federal backing and funding to develop a pathway for top grade football participation would help get World Cup football in Canberra and assist young Canberrans to achieve excellence in the sport” Mr Churchill said.

Darren Churchill

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

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Democrats candidate wants Bill of Rights: 25-10-07

31/10/2007

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ACT Democrats Media Release 25 October 2007

Democrats candidate wants Bill of Rights

Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser, Darren Churchill said today,”It’s time for action on National Human Rights legislation (a Bill of Rights).

This afternoon, Kurt Esser from The Justice Project was interviewed on ABC Local Radio urging local politicians to act on Human Rights.

The Justice Project is a national project that includes noted human rights advocates Julian Burnside QC and former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (who today also again advocated a Bill of Rights).

“Both the ACT and Victoria have Human Rights legislation. But we really need national legislation on this issue,” Mr Churchill said.

The Democrats have long campaigned for an Australian Bill of Rights and will introduce new legislation to that effect after the election.

“Australia’s law enforcement agencies have had their powers increased in the name of protecting our freedoms from terrorists. But these increased powers have no accountability to the courts. Nor do they guarantee protection from torture or privacy violations for Australians at home or abroad.

Introducing a Human Rights Act would be the first step towards setting down clear guidelines for the treatment of our citizens and residents and it will be my first act if elected. Ultimately, the idea would be to have the legislation enshrined in the Constitution.” said Mr Churchill

Darren Churchill
Australian Democrats candidate for Fraser

Darren.Churchill@act.democrats.org.au
0412 196 473

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