The Australian Democrats
The Australian Democrats is the name of an independent and centrist Australian political party, committed to the ideals of a sustainable environment, accountability, encouraging and maintaining biodiversity, encouraging and defending cultural diversity, encouraging independent enterprise and encouraging peace and international co-operation. The party was founded in 1977 and has often held the crucial balance of power in the Australian Senate. With the holding of the balance of power, the Democrats have often wielded influence much greater than their parliamentary numbers might indicate.
The Central Issues in Ryan
There are indications that the central issue for Ryan will be climate change. In this regard, it is relevant that the Democrats were the first political party to raise this issue and indeed have long been the leading environmental party in Australia. The task for the Democrats is to point out that the party does produce legislative results – as opposed to another party which claims to be an environmental party but has yet to actually do anything. The other issue will be government accountability. In this regard the Democrats can point to a long period wherein the balance of power has been wielded responsibly and moderately. The electorate is rightly suspicious of an extremist political party holding the balance of power.
Authorised by Peter Ridgley, 28 Sundridge Street, Taringa 4068
