Reforming the Constitution
The issues The Australian people have not agreed to proposed changes to the Constitution in more than three decades. Only eight of the 44 referendum proposals have been successful since …
Lobbying
The issues Anyone is free to lobby their local member, the parliament or even the Prime Minister. Lobbyists and activists alike operate to influence. They may be urging the government …
Schooling
The issues Most young Australians receive a good education and perform above the OECD average for mathematics, reading and science. However, performance has declined at all levels of achievement compared …
Time to give up on ‘solidarity’
Just as the States are passing legislation to stop coercive control, Labor is using it on Senator Payman, ‘for the good of the Labor Party’. The truth is that Labor …
The Gaza horror
Are we doing enough? The Australian Government voted in the UN in favour of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It …
The Voice – our position
The Australian Democrats support The Voice and will promote adoption of the proposed amendment to the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to establish a new …
PM intervention at odds with the Voice
With the national focus right now on constitutional recognition of First Nations peoples and the long-awaited Voice to the Parliament, it is shocking that federal and state governments still imagine …
Schooling
Education is a lifelong process that should foster initiative, creativity in individuals. Education should allow students to maximise their participation in the Australian and global communities. Education is core to …
Unwilling to act and ill-prepared for consequences
Relentless floods in Qld and NSW, disastrous bushfires before them, and the never-ending Covid pandemic have exposed government complacency and unpreparedness. The Prime Minister says the floods in NSW and …
De-prioritisation of people with disability in the pandemic is ongoing
Two years ago the Disability Royal Commission issued a statement of concern about the impact of the pandemic on people with a disability asking Australian governments to ensure the safety, …