POLICIES OF THE AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS

ABOUT OUR PARTY Party Objectives Core Beliefs Founding History Achievements Party Structure Party Policy

Our Manifesto   This August, voters have the chance to make a real difference in Australian politics. It's an opportunity to return the common sense, reason, negotiation and sense of the "fair go" of the progressive centre to the Australian Senate. The Australian Democrats are ready for the challenge and believe voters are also ready for a change to a workable Senate. Here is our Manifesto (our plans for action) for the 2010 federal election: Raising the bar on Accountability Caring for our Aged Combating Alcohol & Other Drugs Looking after the welfare of Animals Valuing the Arts Conserving Biodiversity Getting it right on a Carbon Tax Caring for our Carers Keeping separate Church and State Talking sense on Climate Change Protecting Coasts & Oceans Inclusion for the Disabled Humane choices in Dying Peace, not war in Defence Filling the gaps in Dental Health Popular will through Direct Democracy Aiding Developing Nations Better managing Farms & Pastoral Leases A wiser use of Forests Championing rights for GLBTI People Still wary of Genetically modified crops Responding to need on Health Valuing Heritage Making fairer Income Tax Solving poor Indigenous Health Delivering better Land, Agriculture & Soil Carbon Recognising need in Men's Health Closing the gaps in Mental Health Ditching the Mining Tax Saving the Murray Darling Still opposed to Nuclear Energy and Waste Caring for the future and talking sense on Nuclear Weapons Responding to Peak Oil Thinking long term on Population & Immigration A fair go for Refugees & Asylum Seekers Bringing equity to Schools Backing Sexual & Reproductive Health Shifting Taxes for Sustainability Realising opportunity in Tertiary Education Moving to a Republic More effort on Urban Water Raising the status of Women Taking care of Women's Health Ongoing Policy Development If you are a member and want to contribute to the development of our new policies please get involved in the members forum or email policy@democrats.org.au. All formal policies of the Australian Democrats are formulated in accordance with the principle of participatory democracy. They are finally determined by secret ballot of all members. This is not available to members of any other major political party in Australia.