Farewell Democrats?

Well today (30 June 2008) is the last day for Senate representation by the Australian Democrats in about 30 years. It's a momentous, and sad, day. It is the last day of federal parliamentary representation for four Australian Democrats senators, Andrew Bartlett, Natasha Stott Despoja, Lyn Allison, and Andrew Murray. It may well be the end of an era for Australian Politics, but if so it was an era that saw a party fight for fairness and responsibility in public policy and legislation. While the Democrats may not have had a monopoly on these values they certainly were the most consistent in living up to them. This, of course, made the number of inevitable falls from grace all the more difficult for the Australian public to accept. There is a lot of sorrow and regret at the loss of this representation and on reflection an acknowledgment that when they held the balance of power in the Senate, which they did in many years, they managed that task responsibly and Australians were the better for it. Too late now for such lamenting, however, we will look to see what political force might emerge to fill the gap, what will be the form of a movement that befits the 21st century that stands for equity, balance and sustainability in our political landscape. Surely the politics of self interest that hold the mainstream parties to ransom and the single issue blinkedness of minority parties are not all that we can hope for. Today we have seen the passing of an era, born of the 1970s optimism and utopianism, but tempered by pragmatism and a commitment to democratic inclusion. We look forward to a renewed Australian Democrats or, more likely, a new force to occupy the space their departure leaves bare.

"australian democrats"

Native Title Amendment Bill

The senate will soon consider changes to Native Title legislation. The new Bill amends the Native Title Act 1993 to implement reforms to a number of aspects of the native title system. However, the Australian democrats have major concerns that the proposed amendments not only have the potential to further limit the ability of Indigenous people to have their native title rights recognised but will also create greater uncertainty, conflict and confusion by threatening the independence of native title representative bodies, compromising the mediation process and reducing Ministerial accountability. Senator Bartlett will be moving amendments and says that these amednments must be passed for the Democrats to support the Bill.

Call for Senate enquiry into water

Australian Democrat's Senator for Queensland, Andrew Bartlett, has called for a Senate Inquiry into water management in Australia. The federal and state governments are in discussions about water management arrangements in a last minute panic instigated by a crisis that consecutive Australian governments have precipitated by their environmental negligence. This situation, according to Senator Bartlett, is potentially a recipe for rash and ill-considered solutions.

"There was a serious lack of consultation during the development phase, with stakeholders such as the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and experts in the field left on the sidelines, and this is continuing to happen. The Murray-Darling Basin Commission has been forced to write letters to the Prime Minister outlining concerns because he refuses to consult properly."

"I will push to refer the federal government's water plan to a Senate Inquiry for thorough examination if the states give the deal the go ahead."

The Senate can play a constructive role in consulting widely and recommending sensible suggestions into the water management debate. The current sidelining of the Senate by the Government is missing opportunities to make parliament work effectively for the country on important matters, such as water management. particularly when the politicians with the most experience in environmental issues, The Greens and the Australian Democrats, can fully participate if the Senate is involved through an inquiry.

Technorati Tags: Australian politics, Australian Democrats, Water, Environment

Queensland plebiscite on water recycling

In March 2007 the Queensland state government will hold a referendum to get support for plans for increased water recycling initiatives. These initatives will be an important step in the process of achieving a more sustainable lifestyle in the increasingly drought-ridden Australian landscape. Democrat's Senator for Queensland, Andrew Bartlett, says in a recent post:

Together with the Queensland Democrats I will be campaigning hard for a yes vote for the March 2007 referendum on water recycling Water recycling is a key alternative to destructive and expensive measures such as dams.

Senator Bartlett has an online petition which you can sign to show your support for more water recycling measures.

Technorati Tags: Australian politics, Australian Democrats

Water wise

Australia, perhaps more than many nations, has a limited water supply that is under increased pressure from population expansion and drought possibly exasibated by global warming. In Queensland the state government has proposed to build new dams to help ensure a consistent water supply. While it is a good idea to sure up water supplies one of the dam sites, at Mary River near Gympie, seems to be an odd choice and has struck much local opposition. Senator Andrew Bartlet recently toured the area and concludes in his blog that flooding this area is not a sound plan environmentally, socially or financially. While the local governments in South East Queensland have taken significant measures to reduce water consumption there are still many measures that can be used to make more efficient use of water, such as household water tanks and reusing grey water. If the state government is spend money on water infrastructure then it maybe better spent on water recycling and treatment facilities, repairing and improving water pipes and water ways. While some dams are necessary they are expensive undertakings, and it seems that too often governments look for silver bullet solutions, such as dams, without taking the trouble to find creative, efficient and imaginative solutions. There are some exceptions such as the federal governments community water grants scheme and there are other members of the Queensland parliament that have an e-petition to save the Mary River area from being dammed.

Technorati Tags: politics, Australian Democrats