Media Release: 19th August, 2009: Policy Resolutions from the ACT Democrats Annual Conference 2009

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release: 19th August, 2009:

Policy Resolutions from the ACT Democrats Annual Conference 2009

“As part of the Australian Democrats national Rebuilding Strategy, the ACT Democrats 2009 Annual Conference was used as a “Setting Directions” forum,” said newly re-elected ACT Democrats President, Darren Churchill.

“We reviewed many party principles and policy directions and members moved and passed the following motions, among others, as a renewal of policy position,” Mr Churchill announced.

The following selection indicates the breadth and depth of the issues covered;

Health

The ACT Democrats believe the ACT government has a responsibility to ensure the availability of suburban GP practices and should provide assistance for small, local suburban clinics.

Education

The ACT Democrats support the concept of local access to primary schools and in particular supports the reopening of the Hall and Tharwa primary schools.

Environment

The ACT Democrats support the ACT Government proposal for solar electric generation facilities in the ACT. It is imperative that we take a strategic approach to significantly and sustainably reducing the ACT’s carbon footprint.

Planning

The ACT Democrats believe that the new Molonglo residential area must have health, education and public transport facilities equitably developed as the town grows, not years afterwards as happened in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin.

Electoral reform

The ACT Democrats support proportional representation, accountability and diversity in politics. We propose having 5 ACT electorates of 5 members each. We want to reduce the required membership for party registration from 100 to 50. We support the introduction of legislation to prevent the use of public money on government political advertising. We support the introduction of voluntary voting for those aged 16 and 17 years old.

Population policy

The ACT Democrats believe the ACT region does not have the resources, such as water, to grow indefinitely. We propose setting up a consultative body to collect scientific and community views so that future governments can plan to stay within our sustainable environmental limits.

Anti-Gangs legislation

The ACT Democrats oppose the introduction of anti-bikie laws. Instead we support the use of existing laws to fight organised crime, a greater community police presence and the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption & Crime.

Internet filtering

The ACT Democrats oppose any moves to introduce mandatory Internet Censorship. We advocate voluntary parental or school filter and greater community education.

Supporting the community sector

The ACT Democrats believe that a vibrant, well-resourced community service sector is an essential part of supporting the most vulnerable people in our community, and that the government should actively increase funding and capability to ensure that the sector is not only viable, but increasingly effective and integrated.

“These policy positions reaffirm the principles of accountability, sensible economic management, social justice and environmental sustainability we took into last years ACT Election. The very same principles which continue to guide the ACT Democrats” Mr Churchill continued.

As the Australian Democrats continue to rebuild both nationally and in the ACT, the ACT Democrats have again shown we are prepared to continue to strive for political freedom, social justice and democracy, Mr Churchill concluded.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Media Release 1 July 2009: Democrats raise privacy concerns over national e-health ID

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Media Release 1 July 2009:

Democrats raise privacy concerns over national e-health ID

The Australian Democrats have raised privacy concerns over the Unique Healthcare Identifier (UHI) programme being developed by the National E-Health Transition Authority. ACT Australian Democrats president and privacy campaigner, Darren Churchill has called on the federal government to release details of the Privacy Impact Assessments on the scheme.

The Democrats claim the UHI sounds reminiscent of the previous governments attempts to replace the Medicare Card with an Access Card (a defacto national ID card) and want to know details of the privacy issues involved.

“We’re already getting conflicting reports between the Human Services Minister and the health Minister over whether or not the Medicare Card will turn into a smart card or not. And the Privacy Impact Assessments remain a secret. This raises a number of concerns!” declared Mr Churchill

“The concerns the Australian Democrats have are:

· What guarantees are there that the individual has control over who sees their information?

· What guarantees are there that only the medical information a person authorises will be stored?

· What protections are there that only medical information will ever be stored?

· What rights to challenge personal information held in medical databases (accuracy and whether the person wants that information held at all) are put in place?

· How open, accountable transparent and available is a person’s right to know the information held about them?

· And is there a limit on how long information can be held?”

“It’s important that there is means for facilitating access to medical records and there needs to be a guarantee that it won’t become mandatory to present all medical details in order to access health care services or Medicare benefits.” Mr Churchill said.

“Even the best intended privacy legislation will not prevent future governments from increasing the coverage and uses of the card (function creep). It has the potential to become a defacto ID card and could enable peoples’ every movement to be tracked.” Mr Churchill said.

“People also need the right to see their own records, to have access to them and correct them. But we need to be cautious that we don’t allow a situation where anyone with a smart-card scanner can access personal records. So, storing information in a chip on a card is one thing. But a centralised database (or even local and regional systems) is quite another – and with considerable risks, including the possibility of identity theft” Mr Churchill cautioned.

“What is the government trying to hide? The details of the first two Privacy Impact Assessments reports should be made available for public comment. As should the third report which has already been commissioned.” Mr Churchill concluded.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

ACT Democrats President

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

Tel: 0412 196 473

Big Australian Democrats Get Together – Canberra and surrounds

Big Australian Democrats Get Together – Canberra and surrounds

Just some fun and an excuse to get together with other Australian Democrats in our area, as well as those interested in the party, just to get to know each other and celebrate the start of the rebuilding process.

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009

Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Location: Pot Belly Bar

Street: Weedon Close

City/Town: Belconnen, Australia

RSVP: Good, but not essential. Contact Darren for more information -

0412196473 or darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114621126001

ACT DEMOCRATS

MEDIA RELEASE: 24 June 2009: Big Australian Democrats Canberra Get Together

DARREN CHURCHILL

ACT Democrats President

Big Australian Democrats “Canberra and Surrounds” Get Together to be held on Saturday June 27

The ACT Democrats will be hosting a “Canberra and Surrounds” get together event as part of the Australian Democrats rebuilding efforts.

On Saturday June 27 the ACT Democrats will be having drinks and a pub lunch at the Pot Belly Bar in Belconnen.

“It’s just an opportunity to have some fun and an excuse to get together with other Australian Democrats in our area, as well as those interested in the party, just to get to know each other and socialise.” said ACT Australian Democrats president, Darren Churchill.

“Being one year since the last Australian Democrats left the Senate, our gathering is the Canberra and district part of a weekend when Australian Democrats will be gathering all over the country to have some fun and celebrate the start of the rebuilding process.”

“This weekend there will be an Australian Democrats event in every capital city and in many other locations, as new members, old members and returning members get together with friends and supporters all over Australia.” said Mr Churchill.

Membership of the Australian Democrats has grown since the national rebuilding process began in February. New members have joined, old members returned and various organisations and donors expressed interest in the centre-line party’s revival.

”We made some mistakes in the past, nationally, and the electorate rightly punished us for it” said Mr Churchill, who last year led the team in the ACT Election (as candidate for Ginninderra) under very difficult circumstances for the Party. “What I did find though, is that it is clear there is still a lot of love for the Australian Democrats in the community.”

“There is still room for a party of the progressive centre in Australian politics. A home for those who are not conservatives, not socialists, not greens. But people who are “social liberals,” or progressives and who want to work for a better Australia, following the Australian Democrats principles of honesty, tolerance and compassion.”

The party is encouraging Canberra and district people who are interested in or curious about the Australian Democrats to go along to the event in Belconnen to meet some Australian Democrats members and find out what it is all about.

”The events that are being held as part of the Big Australian Democrats Get-Together aren’t serious meetings, they are just a bit of fun and a good excuse for party members and supporters to catch up. It just an informal get together in a pub and a good opportunity for those interested to ask questions and meet other party members.”

”On Saturday, we get together to have fun. From there we move forward to and change the nation.” Mr Churchill concluded.

The event is: Big Australian Democrats Get Together – Canberra and surrounds: Drinks and Pub Lunch

• The type of event: Drinks and pub lunch

• The location: Pot Belly Bar, Weedon Close, Belconnen

• Time and Date: Saturday 27th June, 12-2pm

• Host’s name: Darren Churchill, darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

• RSVP: Good but not essential. Anyone can show up

• Other details: Just some fun and an excuse to get together with other Australian Democrats in our area, as well as those interested in the party, just to get to know each other and celebrate the start of the rebuilding process.

CONTACT:

Darren Churchill

President

Australian Democrats (ACT Division)

darren.churchill@act.democrats.org.au

0412 196 473

Bastard Watch Campaign

www.bastardwatch.com.au

The Australian Democrats “Bastard Watch” campaign was launched last week.  Throw a bastard on the barbie and grill them.

In this campaign, its application seemed a perfect fit of an old slogan to a new circumstance. We don’t use the term lightly, but felt that there’s only one word to describe a man who puts big business and the logging and coal unions before the sustainability of the planet – bastard!

The award winning advertising company EURO RSCG Australia designed a witty, poignant, educational but fun campaign to cut through and apply some real pressure on Canberra. The proposed ‘Bastardwatch’ blog, interactive ‘grill a bastard’ flash game, and a roll out of online banner advertising on Climate Change in particular all fit together with the theme of ‘turning up the heat’ on those responsible for selling out Australia.

Background: Australian Democrats first federal parliamentary leader Don Chipp coined the phrase ‘keep the bastards honest’ to explain one of the party’s roles as a public watchdog in the Senate, and the phrase was used by Cheryl Kernot as the Democrats campaign slogan in the 1996 federal election.  It was also used last year by the ACT Democrats in our ACT Election campaign.

The Bastardwatch concept, blog, game and logo have been designed with award winning advertising agency EURO RSCG Australia, which also created the winning ABC Gruen Transfer advertisement promoting the Australian Democrats.

www.bastardwatch.com.au

Media Release: Democrats Condemn Gaza Invasion: 4 January 2009

_

DARREN CHURCHILL
ACT Democrats President

Democrats Condemn Gaza Invasion

ACT Australian Democrats president, Darren Churchill says he is appalled by the Federal government’s lack of leadership over Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

Last week, Israel launched attacks on civilian targets in Gaza killing more than 300 Palestinians, including women and children and injuring 1000 others. Today, Israeli tanks and infantry rolled into Gaza as a full scale offensive began.

Mr Churchill has called on acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard to show some leadership. “How far does this obscenity of war have to go before the Australian government speaks out and condemns it?” queried Mr Churchill

“The targets have not been military ones. They have been police, hospitals, mosques and universities. These are innocent people!” said Mr Churchill. “It’s a violation of International Law to attack police when they are not involved in military activities”

“The beginning of the current problems is that Gaza has been strangled for some time by an Israeli blockade.” Mr Churchill continued. “Israel’s blockade of Gaza for the last two years means that injured Palestinians will die because of lack of medical supplies.”

“These are blatant abuses of human rights. Australia must condemn the attacks. We must condemn the invasion.”

“Australia must stand up for humanity, justice and truth. War is the ultimate obscenity. The action taken by Israel is obscene! It is time for the Rudd-Gillard government to show some leadership on this important issue of international human rights.” Mr Churchill concluded.

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

Middle-East Madness

An opinion piece:

The Federal Government must strongly condemn Israel’s attack on Gaza.

It seems unusual that all acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard has done is call on both Israel and Hamas to reinstate their truce.  Israel’s attack on Gaza is a blatant act of aggression and shows incredible disregard for human rights.

South Australian Democrats MP,  Sandra Kanck, has stated ““Shelling mosques, hospitals and universities is simply not kosher and Australia should be firmly stating that to Israel.”  I agree totally.

Surely, some leadership can be shown from our Federal government on this issue.  Australia must stand up for human rights.  We must stand up for humanity, justice and truth.

The targets have been civilian targets, including police.  I realise that Israel has issues with Hamas and feels they have a right to defend themselves.  But this is not defence of Israel.  It is an offensive and an attack on civilians in Gaza.

Palestinians are just as much a part of humanity as Israelis.  Surely, there are people on both sides who are prepared to say “Enough is enough – STOP!”

The late Don Chipp, who had visited the region on a number of occasions, referred to being able to “smell and taste the hatred that exists between Jew and Arab.”  Are these people really so unable to recognise the humanity of the other side?

Chipp had also described war as “the ultimate obscenity.”  I totally agree

We need leaders who can strive for peace.  Israel, Palestine and America must find a way to sit down together as Egypt, Israel and America once did.

Australia too must show some leadership on this issue.

Darren Churchill

Rallies Against Internet Censorship – 13 December 2008

Just over two and a half weeks ago, I attended the “Sydney Town Hall Protest to Stop Internet Censorship & Filtering.”  It was good to hear speakers such as the Eros Association’s Fiona Patten and people from the Digital Liberty Coalition.  The event was interesting and drew quite a bit of media attention.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t be in two places at once.  So, I was unable to physically attend the “Stop the Clean Feed – Canberra Rally” being held for the same purpose, in City Walk.

I requested to the organisers that a brief statement from me be read at the Canberra rally.  It was read by Nathanael Boehm.  My thanks to him.

( Photo and further information can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyeska/3103800739/ )

My statement read as follows:

“I believe censorship is evil. The idea of censorship is abhorrent to anybody who believes in basic freedoms. It is far too easy for censorship to become a tool of control by totalitarian governments.

There is only one exception and that is the protection of children from excessive violence, child pornography and things that incite racial hatred and violence.

You cannot legislate morality. It is the right of every adult to decide for themselves what they can and cannot view.

Parents and schools should have access to a system of filtering to protect children at their discretion. But there should be no mandatory censorship.

It is the right and responsibility of all individuals, especially parents, to determine for themselves and their families what is acceptable. It is not appropriate for governments to adopt the role of “Big Brother” in protecting the community from some known or unknown danger as determined by those governments.”

Darren Churchill

President, Australian Democrats (ACT Division)

Comments from members of the ACT Democrats attending the rally said it went well.

Australian Democrats Make Bastards History

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