New Politics for Australians
PROSPECTUS
March 2001
For
Democracy,
Choice, Competition, Participation
Contacts:
Stephen Mayne Vern
Hughes
PO Box 2095 GPO Box 5136AA
Templestowe Heights Melbourne
Vic
3107 Vic 3001
0412 106 241 0425 722 890
crikey@crikey.com.au vern@sub.net.au
Contents
People Power: A New Kind of
Political Party
2001: Five
Elections and a By-Election
Constituents:
Consumers, Taxpayers and Shareholders
Competitors:
Labor, Liberal, National, Democrats, Greens, One Nation
Strategic
Positioning: Neither Left nor Right
The People
Power Manifesto
Website:
Online Organising and Campaigning
Structure
Membership
AEC
Registration
Timeline
Appendices:
a.
Manifesto
b.
Website Sample Home Page
c.
Membership Application Form
People Power: A New Kind of Political Party
People Power is a new political party aiming to renew
Australias democracy. It is a response to the stagnation in our institutions
and the widening chasm between our parliamentary, business, and trade union
leaders, and those whom they represent.
On a massive scale, Australians have disengaged from
politics. The proportion of our citizens who are members of political parties
is amongst the lowest in the western world. All our political parties are in
decline as is community interest in civics. On some measures, we have more
politicians per head of population than anywhere else, yet they are drawn
almost entirely from the ranks of lawyers, trade union officials, and staffers
for other politicians. Our members of parliament are conspicuously
unrepresentative of the Australian community. Cash for preferences, branch
stacking and electoral rorting have flourished in this time of public
disengagement. Pressure groups, media giants and business interests have filled
the vacuum, and wield excessive power and influence.
In the business world, Australia has a weak culture of
shareholder pressure driving transparency, accountability and performance. Our
corporate leaders are as unfamiliar with genuine competition and grass-roots
pressure as our politicians. This hampers wealth creation and leads to greater
reliance on foreign capital.
Our trade unions, voluntary associations, welfare
organisations, and sporting clubs are affected by the same malaise. Many have
leaderships clinging to office in the face of rapidly declining memberships.
Many have lost their connection with ordinary people in real communities.
Australia was once known as a social laboratory, a pioneer
in democracy and social innovation. Unfortunately, too many of our institutions
have stagnated, and too many of our politicians, company directors and other
holders of power have grown lazy.
People Power aims to reinvigorate our parliaments, our
boardrooms, our shire halls, and our communities. We want to encourage more
people to contest elections in all spheres of life to keep politicians,
business leaders and community representatives on their toes and in check.
We want to empower ordinary people in their roles as
citizens, consumers, taxpayers and shareholders. We want to curtail the power
of elites, media moguls and vested interest pressure groups.
Our purpose is to bring more scrutiny of and competition for
contested positions in public, corporate, trade union, community and even
sporting life.
People Power will be a registered political party, but we
will be a party of a new kind. We will be the only political party in Australia
that participates in elections in trade unions, football clubs, mutuals and
public companies, as well as elections for local, state and federal
governments.
We invite Australians from all walks of life to exercise
People Power to renew our democracy, to reinvigorate our best traditions, and
to give the abusers of power, the moguls, the vested interests, and the rorters
the fright of their lives.
2001: Five Elections and a By-Election
2001 will see a run of parliamentary elections across
Australia, culminating in a federal poll
likely to be held in November. This is the busiest election year ever in
Australian politics.
In addition, electoral contests will take place throughout
the year in local government, trade unions, voluntary associations and public
companies.
The parliamentary elections include:
1.
A by-election in the federal seat of Ryan in Queensland
following the resignation of Defence Minister John Moore (a by-election brought
about by Liberal Party hubris.)
2. A state
election in Western Australian in February.
3.
A state election in Queensland in February.
4.
An ACT Assembly election on 20 October (a fixed date
election with proportion representation, with independents currently holding
the balance of power).
5.
An election in South Australia in 2001/02 (with proportional
representation in the Upper House, in which independents currently hold the
balance of power).
6.
An election in the Northern Territory by the end of the
year.
In addition, a NSW state election will be held in March 2003
and the first direct election for the Lord Mayor of Melbourne will be held on
July 20 this year.
These elections will take place in a context of
unprecedented electoral volatility, major and minor party abuse of power, and
extensive rorting of taxpayers' funds.
As the year unfolds, People Power will participate in a
variety of elections to develop its profile and build momentum in the lead up
to the federal election in November. Our aim is win a Senate position in each
state in November at the expense of the Democrats and to ensure neither the
Greens nor One Nation hold the balance of power.
People Power is directed to all Australians in their
capacity as citizens and participants in their various communities.
It will however have three specific or niche
constituencies:
1. Consumers
People Power will stand for
consumer interests and consumer choice in both public and private sectors. It
will act as a consumer watchdog and champion of the little guy in relation to
big banks, big retailers, big media, big utility companies, and big
bureaucracy. It will stand for empowering consumers rather than providers and
bureaucrats in education, health, welfare and the arts.
No existing political party is
able to consistently act for consumers. In education and the arts, Labor
represents the providers. In heath, the Liberals represent the providers. In
health insurance, both want to subsidise the insurers. In agriculture, the
Nationals want to subsidise producers at the expense of consumers.
2. Taxpayers
People Power will stand for
taxpayer interests. The existing parties are locked into a culture of using
taxpayer funds for vote-buying purposes. People Power will cap public
expenditure at 30% of GDP, reducing tax and imposing greater discipline in the
use of taxpayers money. Australia has more politicians per head than any other
country in the world: People Power will reduce their numbers, and demand from
them better value for money.
No existing party is able to
consistently act for taxpayers. Both major parties are into corporate welfare.
Both support giving away valuable spectrum licences to media moguls. Both want
to subsidise the bush. In the next federal election, People Power will be the
only party standing for the interests of taxpayers in the cities against
pork-barrelling in the country.
3. Shareholders
Australias 7.6 million direct
and indirect shareholders are a natural constituency of People Power, and we
will pursue policies that add to their wealth and protect them from losses and
charlatans. We believe the ASX and ASIC should be forced to provide more free
information to investors and to be more aggressive as regulators in protecting
and promoting the interests of investors as opposed to companies and directors.
As Australias shareholding
population increases, People Power will act as the party of shareholders by
directly influencing shareholder voting patterns to secure shareholder interests.
No other political party will perform this function in pushing for legislative
reform and simultaneously pushing for change in specific corporate situations.
Australia desperately lacks a culture of shareholder pressure and creating a
"shareholders' party" will go
some way to redressing this.
With the exception of the Greens, all our competitors are in
decline. All are losing membership and experiencing deep philosophical and policy
divisions.
1. Labor
The ALP is enmeshed in factional
brawling and electoral rorting scandals in most states. It is ideologically
paralysed by divisions about globalisation, union dominance, welfare reform,
and conflict between its working class electoral base and its new class
activist base.
2. Liberal
The Liberal Party is beset with
an ageing and rapidly declining membership. It has a structural inability to
sell party membership to young people and baby boomers. In NSW and Queensland,
its party membership figures are parlous. For the first time since its
creation, the Liberal Party faces the prospect of not being in government
anywhere after the Federal and South Australian elections.
3. National
The National Party has an
unmanageable identity crisis in simultaneously trying to maintain rural
protectionism and embrace economic globalism. Its vote has collapsed in
Victoria and Queensland, and it is non-existent in the smaller states.
4. Democrats
The Democrats
have never been able to fulfil the Chipp vision of a small-business based
centre party, and have not recovered from their capture by the left and the
greens in the 1980s. They have survived by filling an electoral vacuum and are
now contemplating a major shift back to the left. Membership has fallen by 20
per cent since the GST deal and they will struggle to retain any of their five
Senate seats at the next election.
5. Greens
The Greens and Democrats are
engaged in bitter warfare, both chasing the same limited pool of environmental
voters. While there is a sensitivity and goodwill amongst most Australians for
environmental concerns, the Greens are hamstrung by an ideological
fundamentalism, a deep hostility towards business, and a reluctance to engage
constructively with others.
6. One Nation
Pauline Hansons party proved
incapable of becoming a significant political force by self-destructing in
spectacular fashion in 1998. It nevertheless captured a substantial protest
vote, despite almost everything
about it being breathtakingly loopy.
The terms Left and Right have outlived their usefulness.
They no longer serve as meaningful signposts to political or ideological
stances.
The old polarity between capital and labour has collapsed
with the growth in worker shareholding. The perceived dichotomy between market
and state has fallen down with the discrediting of non-market systems in
Eastern Europe: the question now is how the state can enable markets to work
well. In social policy, challenges in health, education and welfare require new
relationships between governments, individuals and the institutions of civil
society: traditional notions of Left and Right have failed to get these
relationships right.
On social and cultural issues such as illegal drugs,
immigration, reconciliation, IVF technology and family structure, traditional
notions of Left and Right have become irrelevant to the framing of public
debate.
People Power aims to break up concentrations of power and
disperse economic, social and political power amongst the people. It is opposed
to economic and cultural elites. It aims to empower individuals and
communities, and tackle powerlessness and welfare dependency. It aims to
strengthen civil society and revive our traditions of voluntarism and
community. It stands for a renewed sense of ethical community, without
paternalism or politically correct zealotry.
In contrast, both the Left and the Right have been wedded to
concentrations of power and rule by elites. Both have been paternalistic. Both
have sought to impose values on the rest of society and both have been captured
by the financiers of their campaigns.
Being neither Left nor Right, People Power is neither
pro-Coalition nor pro-Labor. In electoral matters, it will not permanently
favour one side or the other in the allocation of preferences. It will make
preference allocation decisions strategically with the aim of advancing its
objectives.
1. Accountability in institutions
Greater competition for elected positions in federal and
state parliaments, municipalities, public companies, trade unions,
associations, mutuals, sporting clubs and business organisations. Greater
transparency and accountability in institutions. An acceptance of the principle
that poor performers should be replaced.
2. Ethics in public life
The highest standards of ethical conduct in public life. A
crackdown on rorting and snouts in the trough. Reduced government dependence on
gaming revenue. Restoration of an ethic of service amongst those holding public
office.
3. Political reform
Revival of parliament as a legislative body rather than a
rubber-stamp for executive decisions. Fewer MPs with fixed four years terms and
better remuneration upfront offset by reduced superannuation benefits, all of
which will reduce the cost of democracy. Opposition to pork-barrelling and
vote-buying. An end to the adversarial party system aligned with sectional
interests. Opposition to the public funding of interest groups and political
parties and greater disclosure of campaign finance.
4. Media reform
Fearless opposition to the concentration of media ownership
and abuse of media power. Opposition to the protection of established players
and encouragement of new entrants. More stringent ethical standards on radio
and television licence holders. Constitutional enshrinement of free speech in
line with the American first amendment and support of a well-resourced and
independent ABC supplemented by modest private advertising.
5. Peoples capitalism
A wide distribution of property and economic ownership.
Encouragement of small shareholders and responsible for fund managers. Stronger
competition policy to weaken the market power of big corporations and encourage
new entrants. An end to corporate welfare. A check on excessive trade union
power.
6. Power to consumers
Greater consumer choice in public and private provision.
More power to consumers rather than providers and bureaucrats in education,
health, welfare and the arts. Support of free and fair trade to maximise
competition and choice for consumers.
7. An ethic of self-help
An ethic of self-help and personal responsibility as the
basis of social policy. Encouragement of self-help organisations to address
regional disadvantage and welfare dependency. Encouragement of social
entrepreneurship and partnerships between community organisations, business and
governments.
8. Strong civil society
Encouragement of voluntary associations, volunteering,
philanthropy and mutual aid. Wage, tax and productivity trade-offs to enable voluntary
service leave. Community justice panels to oversee effective responses to crime
including personal restitution to victims, offender-victim conferencing, and
juvenile mentoring.
9. Limited government
Lower tax. Government expenditures to not exceed the
benchmark figure of 30% of GDP.
10. Confident and independent Australia
Support for an Australian republic with a head of state
selected by an electoral college chosen by lot from the citizenry. An active
immigration policy. Defence self-reliance. A more active role in the region to
promote co-operation, free trade, human rights, and government and business
transparency.
The internet fundamentally changes modern politics and
People Power will be launched in April 2001 with the launch of a website. The
website will outline the philosophy and objectives of the party, and will also
serve as the principle organising and campaign tool. It will invite membership
applications and expressions of interest in contesting elected positions in
federal and state parliaments, local government, public companies, and
associations.
In political campaigns, the website will serve as the
principle organising and promotional instrument of People Power, inviting
participation, ideas, volunteers and financial donations.
People Power will use online communications to bypass the
otherwise prohibitive costs of electoral campaigning and to avoid unnecessary
media dalliances.
People Power is an association incorporated in Victoria
under the Associations Incorporation Act (1981).
It is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board will
develop and maintain the website, receive and consider applications for
membership, make an application to the AEC for federal registration and such
other registrations as are appropriate, select candidates for elected office,
formulate policy, and receive and administer funds.
Expressions of interest in joining the Board of Trustees are
invited.
The Board will establish appropriate state/territory assemblies
of members to deal with state/territory
matters.
The first National Convention of People Power will take
place on 1-2 December 2001 once the dust has settled after the Federal
election.
Membership
Membership of People Power is by application to the Board of
Trustees. The Board of Trustees may accept or reject an application.
There will be no initial membership fee.
People Power is seeking the necessary 500 signatures/members
to be registered by the AEC as soon as possible. It may also consider being
sponsored by an existing member of Parliament.
Once an application is made and accepted, donations to
People Power will be tax deductible.
1.
Public Launch April 2001
2.
AEC Registration June 2001
3.
Melbourne City Council Election July 2001
4.
ACT Assembly Election October 2001
5.
Federal Election November 2001
6.
National Convention December 2001
March Distribution of Prospectus
Appointment of Board of Trustees
April Public Launch of Website
April Application for AEC Registration
June AEC Registration (including tax
deductibility for donations)
June Engage a Fundraising Director and
Campaign Director
July Melbourne City Council Election
August Selection of Federal candidates
October ACT Election
November Federal Election
December 1-2 First National Convention
1.
Accountability in institutions
Greater
competition for elected positions in federal and state parliaments,
municipalities, public companies, trade unions, associations, mutuals, sporting
clubs and business organisations. Greater transparency and accountability in
institutions. An acceptance of the principle that poor performers should be
replaced.
2.
Ethics in public life
The highest
standards of ethical conduct in public life. A crackdown on rorting and snouts
in the trough. Reduced government dependence on gaming revenue. Restoration of
an ethic of service amongst those holding public office.
3.
Political reform
Revival of
parliament as a legislative body rather than a rubber-stamp for executive
decisions. Fewer MPs with fixed four years terms and better remuneration
upfront offset by reduced superannuation benefits, all of which will reduce the
cost of democracy. Opposition to pork-barrelling and vote-buying. An end to the
adversarial party system aligned with sectional interests. Opposition to the
public funding of interest groups and political parties and greater disclosure
of campaign finance.
4.
Media reform
Fearless
opposition to the concentration of media ownership and abuse of media power.
Opposition to the protection of established players and encouragement of new
entrants. More stringent ethical standards on radio and television licence
holders. Constitutional enshrinement of free speech in line with the American
first amendment and support of a well-resourced and independent ABC
supplemented by modest private advertising.
5.
Peoples capitalism
A wide
distribution of property and economic ownership. Encouragement of small
shareholders and responsible for fund managers. Stronger competition policy to
weaken the market power of big corporations and encourage new entrants. An end
to corporate welfare. A check on excessive trade union power.
6.
Power to consumers
Greater
consumer choice in public and private provision. More power to consumers rather
than providers and bureaucrats in education, health, welfare and the arts.
Support of free and fair trade to maximise competition and choice for
consumers.
7.
An ethic of self-help
An ethic of
self-help and personal responsibility as the basis of social policy.
Encouragement of self-help organisations to address regional disadvantage and
welfare dependency. Encouragement of social entrepreneurship and partnerships
between community organisations, business and governments.
8. Strong civil
society
Encouragement
of voluntary associations, volunteering, philanthropy and mutual aid. Wage, tax
and productivity trade-offs to enable voluntary service leave. Community justice
panels to oversee effective responses to crime including personal restitution
to victims, offender-victim conferencing, and juvenile mentoring.
9. Limited
government
Lower tax.
Government expenditures to not exceed the benchmark figure of 30% of GDP.
10.
Confident and independent Australia
Support for an
Australian republic with a head of state selected by an electoral college
chosen by lot from the citizenry. An active immigration policy. Defence
self-reliance. A more active role in the region to promote co-operation, free
trade, human rights, and government and business transparency.
b.
Website Sample Home Page
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c. Membership Application Form
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become a member of People Power Inc.
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member of any other political party.
I am eligible
to enrol for Federal elections.
(You are eligible to enrol for Federal elections if you are 17 years of age or older, and you are an Australian citizen, and you have lived at your present address for at least the last month. British subjects who are not Australian citizens are eligible to enrol for Federal elections if they were on a Commonwealth of Australia electoral roll on 25 January 1984.)
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(Strike out if not applicable.)
I declare that all the information I have given on this form is true and complete.
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Please note:
This form may be forwarded to the Australian Electoral Commission to confirm that the party meets the party registration requirements. The AEC conducts random surveys to verify membership and it is possible that they may contact you asking you to confirm that you have signed this form. The form will be treated by the AEC in strictest confidence. It will only be used to verify the partys entitlement to registration and for no other purpose. The form will then be returned to the party. No copy of information contained in the form will be kept by the AEC.
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