October 5, 2007

Fix the system - fix parliamentary terms!

I think people are a bit over not knowing when the election will be. The Democrats think we should have fixed parliamentary terms - to provide certainty for business and voters. Letting the Prime Minister choose when an election will be gives the Government an unfair advantage. Here's a video Democrats leader Lyn Allison posted yesterday explaining why:



The Democrats will start its TV ad campaign soon. Here's a sneak preview. It features Don Chipp's daughter Laura and Democrats leader Lyn Allison:



And lastly, I was heading home on the tram last night and I came across this photo in MX. It's me dressed as a koala! It seems the Democrats are the only ones who have vocally opposed this new citizenship test.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Tim,

what a star you are!! congrats about being in MX, makes all the sweat worth it! Yay! see you Tuesday!

Anonymous said...

Dear Tim,
I am especially interested in your travels to Africa to make a difference by getting countries to ratify the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. Would you kindly tell me which African countries have yet to ratify it and why they are holding out.
Gratefully,
Paul Magnarella
Director of Peace and Justice Studies

Anonymous said...

Hi Tim,

You seem like a great candidate.

Just a question, what will you do if the Democrats preference Family First again?

Will you actually campaign to have an anti gay Senator elected?

Lyn allison has refused to say that Democrats wont preference the DLP or Family First.

Tim Wright said...

Hi Paul

The most up-to-date list of states parties to the Treaty of Pelindaba, available on the web, is the Wikipedia page!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Pelindaba

The list on the African Union site is old.

Many countries simply haven't got around to ratifying the treaty. It's a low priority.

Others don't have the systems in place to ratify any treaties!

And one or two won't ratify until other things happen. For example, Egypt won't ratify so long as Israel maintains its nuclear arsenal.

Regards
Tim

Anonymous said...

Dear Tim,
I am especially interested in your travels to Africa to make a difference by getting countries to ratify the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. Would you kindly tell me which African countries have yet to ratify it and why they are holding out.
Gratefully,
Paul Magnarella
Director of Peace and Justice Studies
please respond to me at: pmagnarella@warren-wilson.edu

Tim Wright said...

Regarding preferences, it's necessary to preference all parties. The question is how high or how low on the list.

Tim Wright said...

I can't really confirm at this stage where Family First and DLP will be, but given that our parties don't have much at all in common, they'll probably be at the bottom or at least near the bottom.

Anonymous said...

But aren't you concerned that Democrat preferences went to Family First ahead of the Greens last time?

Are you aware that Lyn Allison has refused to rule out preferencing Family First or the DLP ahead of the Greens this time?

How would you feel if your campaign was aiding the right wing get a foothold in Australian politics.

Unknown said...

Hey Tim! How've you been? Was checking out the Dems candidates and saw your familiar face looking back at me. Also saw POA's name on the back of the Helen Caldicott book -- nice. And bumped into my good old friend the 100m peace flag at the anti-nukes rally earlier this year, which was surprising and thrilling. So your presence has been felt! Anyway, good luck with the election and anything else you're working on.

x Lia

Unknown said...

And, re anonymous here:

I agree that the Democrats preferencing Family First and the DLP is a problem. Although Steven Fielding would have been elected in 2004 anyway, on ALP preferences alone, I think the Democrats need to realise that what small gains they may make through such preference exchanges is negated by the supporters they alienate. It's perceived as unprincipled pragmatism, and suggests that the Democrats are too open to compromise (reminding voters of weaknesses/controversies like the GST deal).

However, you can always vote below the line -- it's a bit of a chore, but also sort of an adventure in its own way. That way you can learn about some very obscure candidates; ensure Family First, Australia First and the DLP are way down the bottom; preference all your favourite left-leaning minor parties with small numbers; and refocus your rage towards both the major parties, where it belongs.