National Conference Report now online
NATIONAL CONFERENCE REPORT
2005 National Conference in Canberra provided a message of hope for the future
of the Democrats and what we stand for. The conference was the Democrats opportunity
to acknowledge the difficulties of the past and where we announced ourselves as
renewed, revitalised and with a positive vision for the future. It was an important
public step in the implementation of the Democrats Future Directions plan. We
left on Sunday having acknowledge an open and honest appraisal of the past, and
embraced our future and left with ideas to give members, supporters and all Australians
hope for the future.
A highlight of the conference was the announcement and signing of a concise statement
of what the Democrats stand for - and then everyone signed up either with a pen,
or by spontaneously reading out the final conference resolution in unison!
"The Australian Democrats stand for a fair society that values justice, democracy,
individual freedom and diversity.
We work for a prosperous, environmentally sustainable and equitable economy;
good, accountable governance and responsible, peaceful engagement in the global
community.
We are honest, compassionate, beholden to no interest group and we provide a
voice for the voiceless."
The Way Forward
The four continuing Senators provided their strategy for the Democrats in the
Senate from July. The federal party room outlined four general campaign themes:
Public Good (Senator Allison), Sustainable Australia (Senator Bartlett), Social
Justice and Freedom (Senator Stott Despoja) and Accountability and Truth in Government
(Senator Murray) and announced new portfolio arrangements. Each Senator spoke
passionately to 'their' theme and explained what it meant to them. The Senators
will spend less time going through every piece of legislation and more time on
engagement with community issues.
Senator Allison delivered her first Leader's speech and reflected on the Democrats history.
She told us "The future is in our hands - it's do or die. … It calls for an all
out effort for the common good; a tight ship with integrity, teamwork, maturity,
stability, professionalism and some rat cunning." She told us that the party would
become, again, a party of ideas and vision and released a discussion paper that
sets out a long term vision for Australia.
James Dunn AM, former diplomat and long-term campaigner for the East Timorese delivered the
keynote speech and gave many of us food for thought when he told us that "if human
rights are not being upheld, then the state is not a fully functioning democracy."
He reminded us of our own relevance and said "Today the Democrats and the Greens
remain the strongest supports of human rights issues in the Federal Parliament"
and he implored us to remain strong and to keep trying to make a difference.
The Panel
Professor John Warhurst, journalist Matt Price and our own Jack Evans sat on
a controversial panel that provided a view of the Senate after July 2005. The
views presented were not shared by many in the room - but most agreed it gave
us food for thought and was useful to hear to hear the candid opinions from 'the
outside'.
Chorus of Women
Sunday morning had us all sitting in the parliament house theatre unsure of what
was about to unfold. The Chorus of Women hit the headlines in 2003 on the day
that the Prime Minister announced that Australia had declared war. 150 women spontaneously
assembled in the marble hall of parliament house and sang a lament. The Chorus
of Women developed a very moving performance especially for the Democrats that
reflected our journey and ended with a strong message of hope for the future.
Speed Dating
This year we tried a new approach to the parliamentarians Q&A speech - and
it worked well! Instead of putting MPs on the stage, in front of the whole meeting,
we sat everybody down around 8 tables and moved the parliamentarians on every
10 minutes to the next table. Everyone got a chance to get up close and personal
on the same level.
Logo
In the Party's history, Party Leader's have adopted their own signature colour
scheme. As part of the Future Directions package, the Leader unveiled a bold,
refreshed representation of the Democrats name and colours during the Conference.
Comments and feedback are welcome.
Members’ Verdicts
"There weren’t many Democrats with dry eyes when the Chorus of Women told their
personal stories and sang... These ‘ordinary women’ as they like to be known,
gave us hope and inspiration to keep working for a better world."
"Excellent speakers."
"The Senators move-around Q&A session was better than previous formats."
"Having the new vision statement launched plus new info about how the Senators
are going to work after 1/7/05 was good."
"It was good to hear the four continuing Senators commitment & enthusiasm."
"… the extraordinary mix of opportunities to meet and listen to the Leader of
the Democrats Lyn Allison, Senators and Members."
"The way our MP’s interacted and the sense of working together."
"The conference had a really positive atmosphere."
"I also enjoyed the speakers even if some of what they said was controversial,
and innovative events like the women’s chorus."
"I can honestly say that I went to the conference to decide after all these years
whether I would remain a party member. After the first day of the conference,
I decided I would become more active in the future."
"The women’s group on Sunday morning was a good "spiritual" input into the Conference."
Conference Program
Speeches will be uploaded into the program if available.
FRIDAY
13 May |
SATURDAY
14 May |
SUNDAY
15 May |
|
Australian Institute of Sport
Leverrier Crescent, Bruce
Corporate Cocktails – Friday, 13 May
This event will include a one hour tour of the AIS at 4.30 pm followed by cocktails
in the interactive sports room from 5.30 to 7.30 pm.
CORPORATE COCKTAILS SOLD OUT |
CSIRO Discovery Centre
Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain
0800 Registration
0900 Welcome to Country
0905 Introduction - National President
0945 Housekeeping - National President
0950 Keynote Speaker
James Dunn - “Safeguarding Democracy and Human Rights”
James Dunn is a former diplomat, defence analyst, senior foreign affairs advisor to Federal
Parliament, persistent East Timor activist and recently U.N. investigator of crimes
against humanity, author of the definitive book on East Timor’s history in the
mid-80’s "Timor: A People Betrayed"
James is also a member, and former leader of The Human Rights Council of Australia,. He is a recipient of the Human Rights Award from the Australian Council for
Overseas Aid for his work in pursuing justice in East Timor.
1030 Morning Tea
10.50 Panel discussion - The Democrats in the Senate 1 July 2005
Professor John Warhurst
Professor of Political Science, ANU and Chair of the Australian Republican Movement
Matt Price
political journalist
Jack Evans
former Australian Democrats Senator
1150 Dialogue with Members on Future Directions
National President chair
1230 Lunch
1330 The Way Forward
All ongoing Parliamentarians and National Executive (including affirmation)
1430 Concurrent Forums:
Things that Matter
1. Child Migrants&Child Abuse, Kate Reynolds MLC & Senator Andrew Murray
Standing up for Democracy and Diversity
2. Indigenous and multicultural, Senator Aden Ridgeway
Gender, sexuality and disability, Senator Brian Greig
1530 Afternoon Tea
1600 Parliamentarians Q & A Session, All Senators & State MPs. National President to chair
1700 Close of Day, National President
1900 Conference Dinner
The Deck at Regatta Point
Barrine Drive
PARKES ACT 2600
Includes Quiz NEW CONFERENCE VENUE |
Parliament House Theatrette
1000 Opening Item
1045 Australia 2020 Triple Bottom Line Panel discussion
1130 An approach to policy post 1 July 2005
Senator Bartlett and Lynne Grimsey
1200 Adoption of Conference Resolution & Close - National President
|
Conference Fees
FULL $90
CONCESSION $60
CONFERENCE DINNER, SATURDAY 14 MAY $60 (NEW CONFERENCEVENUE - SEE ABOVE)
Click the link above to use your credit card to register and pay for the Australian
Democrats National Conference through a secure channel.
POST OR EMAIL REGISTRATION
Alternatively, download the booking form and return it as per instructions below.
Please forward your completed Registration Form by 1 May 2005 to:
Australian Democrats National Conference, PO Box 5089, KINGSTON ACT 2604
Cancellations after 9 May will not be refunded.
