AUSTRALIAN Democrats ™ KEEP THE BASTARDS HONEST! Policy snapshops (an election leaflet published by Australian Democrats)

AUSTRALIAN Democrats ™ KEEP THE BASTARDS HONEST! Policy snapshops

Delivered in Adelaide on Wednesday, 4 September, 2013 (approximate), during the Australian Federal Election 2013.

Uploaded on Wednesday, 4 September, 2013 at 12:12.

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australian-democrats.org.au

Valuing the Arts

Societies that have contributed the most in rights and
freedoms to the world are those where the arts have
flourished. A 'whole of life' approach is crucial to the
arts, strengthening artists' legal rights, ensuring they
receive royalties for the use of their work over time and
broadening funding and employment opportunities.

Sexuality

All Australians have a right to equality and should be
protected from discrimination and vilification. All relationships should be treated equally. The former Liberal
Government's "Civil Unions Act" must be repealed.

Peace, Security and Defence

Too often Australians have been sent to battlefronts
that have no relevance to Australia, such as Iraq and
Afghanistan: Our defence forces must be defensive
and not offensive. Australia must support the United
Nations as the key forum for international cooperation
in its role of promoting peace and security.

Murray-Darling Basin

The River Murray is South Australia's lifeline. Australia
now has a flawed national plan which will not be
activated until 2019. If we are have to have a viable river
system the pressures of population increase and climate
change must be taken into account. The environment
must have a scientifically based share of the water -
without it the whole river system will collapse.

Population and Immigration

Australia's population numbers must be in keeping with
the capacity of the environment (water, soil, temperature
etc) to sustain them. We should stabilise our population
at present numbers of 23 million, but at the same time
we must fulfil our international and moral obligations to
asylum seekers. We support the curtailment of 457 visas
to ensure that locals get first go at the jobs.

Looking after the welfare of animals

Animals are sentient beings, deserving of respect and
protection from inhumane treatment. They have a worth
beyond their usefulness to humans. We should not allow
base instincts or material gain to dictate our treatment of
them. Live animal exports must be halted. We support
a UN Declaration on animal welfare.

Progressive, sustainable tax reform

Taxation should be shifted from ordinary workers to
polluters and commercial land holders. We need to share
our 'common wealth': Australia's mineral resources do
not belong to the mining companies but to all of us. The
Australian Democrats therefore support the Minerals
Resource Rent Tax.

Asylum seekers

It is legal for those fleeing persecution to seek asylum
in our country. The Australian Democrats condemn the
Liberal/Labor race to the bottom to be the toughest on
asylum-seekers. Unless there are compelling reasons of
security or public health, asylum seekers should not be
subject to detention. All minors must be released from
detention.

Aboriginal equality

We affirm the special significance of Australia's natural
heritage to first nation peoples, their native title rights
and their ancient role in land and sea management.
We strongly support their recognition in Australia's
Constitution and the planned referendum. The
paternalistic "Stronger Futures" laws should be repealed -
we need to work with Aboriginal people, not punish them.

Foreign Aid

Australia's foreign aid should be increased to 0.7% of
GDP, yet our government has just reduced the foreign
aid budget. Worse, much of our aid budget is used for
non-aid purposes such as boosting livestock export and
persecuting asylum seekers. Money promised for family
planning in developing nations must be preserved.
Protecting our Environment
Australia holds the dubious title of the worst mammal
extinction rate in the world. We should work with
indigenous people in the sustainable conservation
management of their traditional lands and waters. Action
is needed to expand environmental protection and restrengthen
the EPBC Act.

Transport

We must reduce oil use and decrease pollution so more
road-building is not the answer. More and better public
transport is needed to the outer metro areas. In the cities
we need more pedestrian pathways and bicycle lanes.

Progressive, sustainable tax reform

Taxation should be shifted from ordinary workers to
polluters and commercial land holders. We need to share
our 'common wealth': Australia's mineral resources do
not belong to the mining companies but to all of us. The
Australian Democrats therefore support the Minerals
Resource Rent Tax.

Asylum seekers

It is legal for those fleeing persecution to seek asylum
in our country. The Australian Democrats condemn the
Liberal/Labor race to the bottom to be the toughest on
asylum-seekers. Unless there are compelling reasons of
security or public health, asylum seekers should not be
subject to detention. All minors must be released from
detention.

Aboriginal equality

We affirm the special significance of Australia's natural
heritage to first nation peoples, their native title rights
and their ancient role in land and sea management. We
strongly support their recognition in Australia's Constitution and the planned referendum. The paternalistic
"Stronger Futures" laws should be repealed - we need to
work with Aboriginal people and not punish them.

Foreign Aid

Australia's foreign aid should be increased to 0.7% of
GDP, yet our government has just reduced the foreign
aid budget. Worse, much of our aid budget is used for
non-aid purposes such as boosting livestock export and
persecuting asylum seekers. Money promised for family
planning in developing nations must be preserved.

Protecting our Environment

Australia holds the dubious title of the worst mammal
extinction rate in the world. We should work with
indigenous people in the sustainable conservation
management of their traditional lands and waters.
Action is needed to expand environmental protection
and re-strengthen the EPBC Act.

Transport

We must reduce oil use and decrease pollution so more
road-building is riot the answer. More and better public
transport is needed to the outer metro areas. In the cities
we need more pedestrian pathways and bicycle lanes.

Drug Law Reform

The 'tough on drugs' approach has long been counter-
productive, causing greater public health risks because
accurate information about safety and risks of assorted
illicit drugs is denied. We call for the decriminalisation
of the possession and use of non-hydroponically grown
cannabis. Our drug laws must be based on the best
available science and not moralising or fear-mongering.

Energy

We strongly support transforming the fossil-fuelled Port
Augusta power stations to clean, state-of-the-art, solar
thermal power. We must significantly reduce levels of
fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions
from all sources. A national feed-in tariff for electricity
rom certified renewable sources is needed.

Voluntary euthanasia

We support the right of adults who are incurably ill or
intolerably suffering to choose to die with dignity. This
include the option of administration of drugs by the
patient or doctor.

Urban planning

Agricultural land and biodiversity must be protected
from creeping urban encroachment. But containing
urban sprawl requires infill with problems such as
reduction of precious open space, and the destruction of
heritage buildings and urban character. Only by resisting
the pressure for continued population growth will this
be contained.

Please see our website
www.australian-democrats.org.au
for more of our policies

Authorised by Sandra Kanck
25 Meadowvale Rd, Athelstone 5076

Printed by B.Hodgson.Print
41 Orange Grove Ct, Dernancourt 5075

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Australian Democrats (SA) Inc, PO Box 573, Goodwood SA 5034

OUR CANDIDATES

This election our them is SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY

We can all prosper if we respect the limits of
the land that sustains us. Whether it be by
birth or immigration, each new person in
Australia requires $200,000 for infrastructure.
Depending on whether it's a child or an adult
arriving here, they are likely to need more
schools and teachers, hospitals and nurses,
provision of water and electricity, building of
extra roads, more public transport - it's the
reason that our electricity,
gas and water charges
keep going up.
With a $300bn
infrastructure
backlog, increasing
the number of
people can only
decrease
prosperity.

Jeailie Walker, a mother of three, is an
Aboriginal Family Violence Case Manager
and has also worked as an Aboriginal Youth
Support Worker. She is passionate about
equality and opportunities for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander youth. Jeanie is a
qualified chef and has operated her
own business, catering for up
to 300 people at a time. With
a strong community focus,
over many years Jeanie has
enthusiastically engaged with
people from other cultures,
accommodating long term
exchange students and,
more recently, asylum
seekers. Jeanie is
also well-known
or her advocacy
for animal rights.

Jeanie Walker has the attributes we need in an
elected member of parliament. She cares, she
consults, she is passionate and articulate, and
is concerned about sustainability and justice.
Her boundless energy sees her walking the talk.
And, she has a sense of humour. She is owned
by two cats, two dogs and two birds.

Andrew Castrique is a laboratory technician
having worked in mineral assay, hospital
biochemistry and agricultural/soil analysis,
but now fills that role in a Senior High School
in Adelaide. He has previously stood as a
candidate for the party in the seat of Mayo,
is a Deputy National President of the party,
and State Secretary of the Democrats in SA.
For Andrew the issues of population, energy
and environment are integrally linked and are
crucial for Australia's future. Andrew is the
father of two adult children, and his hobbies
include astronomy and bushwalking.

AUSTRALIAN Democrats™ VOTE FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS
in the Senate 2013

TAKE THIS TO THE POLLING BOOTH

Put a 1 in the group C Box C 1 Australian Democrats

WALKER Jeanie
CASTRIQUE Andrew

Authorised by Sandra Kanck, 25 Meadowvale Rd, Athelstone 5076

Printed by B.Hodgson.Print, 41 Orange Grove Ct, Dernancourt 5075