Media Release: 30th July, 2009: Democrats say the young can make a difference by enrolling to vote

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 30th July, 2009:

Democrats say the young can make a difference by enrolling to vote

ACT Democrats president, Darren Churchill has urged eligible 17 and 18 year old people to respond to the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) “National Enrol to Vote Week 2009” and take the opportunity to register to vote and put their name on the Electoral Roll.

“It’s great that in Australia we can choose our representatives. We can also vote out those we do not believe represent our interests. This is a right we often take for granted in Australia. In some other countries people fight and die for this right.” Mr Churchill said.

”If young people want politicians to take an interest in the issues that matter, it is necessary to make them accountable at the ballot box.”

“It’s wonderful that the AEC is taking this initiative to get young people interested in the democratic process by going out to the schools. Enrol to Vote week is a great way of raising awareness amongst young people.”

“The Democrats would like to see them go the next step in encouraging voter education. We’d like to see the introduction of voluntary voting for 16 to 18 year olds, so the democratic culture is strengthened and learned from an earlier age.”

Governments make decisions that affect young people. So it’s only right that young people are given the option of having a say in who makes those decisions. “ Mr Churchill concluded.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Media Release: 23 October, 2008: Democrats to fight on. Rebuild, re-register and reorganise!

DARREN CHURCHILL
ACT Democrats President

Democrats to fight on. Rebuild, re-register and reorganise!

The ACT Democrats are vowing to keep fighting the good fight after last Saturday’s election. Despite a poor showing at the ballot-box the party has committed to continue to work toward 2012.

Democrats president, Darren Churchill said “As of midnight last Saturday, we can re-register as the Australian Democrats.”

“The lack of a party column in this year’s election is what, I think, hurt us badly. We were ungrouped, so our vote reflected a typical ungrouped party’s vote. It’s now time to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Under Section 99 of the ACT Electoral Act which states that:
“(1) If the registration of a registered party (the cancelled party) is
cancelled-
(a) the cancelled party; or
(b) another political party that has a name that so nearly resembles
the name of the cancelled party that it is likely to be confused
with or mistaken for the cancelled party;
is ineligible for registration until after the next general election after
the cancellation.
(2) In this section:
name includes an abbreviation of the name”
the ACT Democrats were prevented from re-registering under their own name after losing registration in September last year.

“Now we are in a new Electoral cycle and it’s time to prepare for re-registration.” Mr Churchill announced.

“We still think there are some serious flaws in the Electoral Act which need to be addressed to make elections fairer for minor parties and independents. We hope that the new Assembly will look address these matters. I am happy to consult with any of the new MLA’s on what needs to be done to make future elections more democratic.”

The counting to determine the final composition of the new assembly is still being finalised.

“We do know that it will be some combination of Labor, Liberal and Green. None of them will have a majority – and to that end we should be glad of the result, even though there will be no Democrats in this Assembly” said Mr Churchill. “As always, the Democrats will be keeping a close eye on the new Assembly to make sure that election promises are not broken and that new, unproven Assembly acts as a true representative of all Canberrans.”

“The ACT Democrats campaigned strongly on issues of sustainable planning, transport, affordable housing, community consultation, and government accountability (keeping the bastards honest). These issues must not be abandoned now that the election is over. We will continue to push for action on the things we have campaigned for.”

“The Democrats will also now focus on continuing to build our membership base, forging strong links with the new Assembly, and networking with community groups. The Democratic process doesn’t stop just because the election is over. We continue our fight to keep the new bastards honest!” Mr Churchill concluded.

Mr Churchill is available for comment (details below):

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
Candidate for Ginninderra
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au
Tel: 0412 196 473

Media Release: 04 September 2008: Minor parties disadvantaged by Electoral Law!

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Candidate for Ginninderra

Minor parties disadvantaged by Electoral Law!

“Candidates are being denied access to the Electoral Roll. The ACT Electoral Act is seriously flawed and must be changed!’ insisted ACT Democrats President and candidate for Ginninderra, Darren Churchill

Mr Churchill picked up the Democrats team’s nomination forms from Elections ACT this afternoon. But Mr Churchill was denied a copy of the ACT Electoral Roll, being told it was only available to registered parties.

“The Electoral Act will only allow registered tickets to have a copy of the Electoral Roll. So, the independents who pretend to be a political party, like Mulcahy and Pangallo, can have the Electoral Roll. But the federally registered Australian Democrats and the true independents who’ll share the Ungrouped column with us can’t” Mr Churchill said. “This clearly disadvantages some candidates and disadvantages others. It’s discrimatory! It’s undemocratic!”

Sections 61, 62 and 63 set out who is entitled to be provided with a copy of the Electoral Roll. It includes MLA’s and registered officers of registered political parties. But there seems to be no provision for candidates for office, unless they fall into one of those two categories.

“The benefits from having party status should be extended to all candidates – grouped or ungrouped.” claimed Mr Churchill “access should not be denied to a candidate for office to have a copy of the Electoral Roll”

“The Hare-Clark system with Robson Rotation has some extremely democratic aspects to it. But there are aspects of democracy being turned on its head because of the Electoral Act doesn’t allow for equal access to information.”

“The ACT Democrats will continue to fight for fair and democratic electoral laws!” We have long advocated fair and democratic electoral laws. If I am elected, I will introduce legislation to make ACT elections fair” Mr Churchill.concluded.

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President

Candidate for Ginninderra

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

KEEP THE BASTARDS HONEST!

Media Release: ACT Democrats – ACT Electoral Act: 16 July 2008

Darren Churchill – ACT Democrats

Democrats Highlight Flaws in ACT Electoral Act 16 July 2008

ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill has questioned flaws in the ACT Electoral Act.

The Democrats are expected to make an announcement on how they will participate in the October ACT election during the forthcoming week. But the federally registered party faces some unusual obstacles.

“We were deregistered when our membership declined last year” said Mr Churchill. “But now, even if we had 500 members, we can’t reregister until after the election unless we are prepared to change our name”

Section 99 of the ACT Electoral Act states that:
“(1) If the registration of a registered party (the cancelled party) is
cancelled-
(a) the cancelled party; or
(b) another political party that has a name that so nearly resembles
the name of the cancelled party that it is likely to be confused
with or mistaken for the cancelled party;
is ineligible for registration until after the next general election after
the cancellation.
(2) In this section:
name includes an abbreviation of the name”

“It’s a very strange law that prevents us from using our own name!” declared Mr Churchill

“There is also the interesting situation where Section 115 of the Electoral Act was amended in May this year to prevent like minded candidates grouping together in a column. So, independents have to form themselves into a party to get a column. And a hotchpotch of conflicting vested interest groups can call themselves a party and get a column. But the federally registered Australian Democrats can’t re-register without making our name different from our national organisation. The Electoral Act is seriously flawed!” Mr Churchill pointed out. “It’s farcical!”

“The benefits from having party status should be extended to all candidates – grouped or ungrouped.” claimed Mr Churchill

“The Democrats believe that a party which is registered nationally should automatically be registered for ACT elections.” Mr Churchill stated. “And the prohibition of like-minded candidates being able to be grouped together to achieve their democratic objectives is nothing short of an electoral gerrymander weighting the entire electoral system in favour of Liberal and Labor.”

“The Hare-Clark system with Robson Rotation has some extremely democratic aspects to it. But the ACT version turns this democracy on its head because of the other aspects of the Electoral Act I’ve just mentioned”. “The ACT Democrats will continue to fight for fair and democratic electoral laws!” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill
ACT Democrats President
0412 196 473
darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

MEDIA RELEASE 9 May 2008: ACT Democrats denounce undemocratic Electoral Act Amendments

MEDIA RELEASE 9 May 2008

ACT Democrats denounce undemocratic Electoral Act Amendments

ACT Democrats acting President, Darren Churchill has denounced the ACT Government’s alteration of the Electoral Act.

The Electoral Act was last night changed to prevent non-party candidates from grouping together to contest the election.

“This is totally undemocratic and an attempt to create a two-party dictatorship!” Mr Churchill declared. “Where is the equal footing when like-minded candidates can’t be grouped together to try to gain election? It makes it extremely hard for ungrouped candidates to promote their policies, ideas and objectives.”

“When added to the inability of a party which has been deregistered being able to re-register in the same electoral cycle, the laws make a farce of the democratic process.”

The ACT Democrats were deregistered for the 2008 ACT election last years. The party does however remain registered nationally.

“A party which is registered nationally should automatically be registered for ACT elections.” Mr Churchill stated. “And the prohibition of like-minded candidates being able to be grouped together to achieve their democratic objectives is nothing short of an electoral gerrymander weighting the entire electoral system in favour of the old parties.”

All non-government members of the assembly voted against the changes. But the Stanhope government used its majority to force them through.

“The Hare-Clark system is potentially the most democratic system in the country. But when it becomes altered to prohibit democratic groupings, the ACT version turns democracy on its head.”

“The ACT Democrats have long advocated fair and democratic electoral laws. Given the opportunity we would make ACT elections fair” said Mr Churchill.

“I suppose it is hard to expect democratic behaviour from Labor, when they won’t even allow their members a conscience vote!” Mr Churchill concluded.

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President (acting)

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473