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"Your Neighbour, Your Voice" - Ken Saunders AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS Policy Platform for Northcote Contacts Ken
Saunders Sid
Spindler Justin
O'Brien 0411
753 201 9859
5607 / 018 966 915 9416
5262 / 0411 473 697 Written, authorised and printed by J. Peters, 62 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3070 |
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Austalian Democrats Policy Platform for Northcote August, 1998 With the retirement of ALP member Tony Sheehan, a by-election will be held in the Melbourne, inner northern electorate of Northcote on August 15. Contesting the seat are (in their order on the ballot paper); Nikolas Kavalenka (One Nation) Ken Saunders (Democrats) Denis Evans (Independent) Gurmeet Sekhon (Greens) Abboud Haidar (Abolish Child Support and Family Court) Mary Delahunty (ALP) Maurice Sibelle (Ind)
Northcote has been held by Labor since the seat was created in 1927. Members for the district of Northcote:
John Cain (senior), ALP 1927 - 1957 Frank Noel Wilkes, ALP 1957 - 1988 Anthony Sheehan, ALP 1988 - 1998
Population: 49,378 Birthplace Voters: 34, 884 Australia 65.2% Average age: 34 years Greece 7.8% Average household income: $596 Italy 6.4% Unemployment: 12.3% United Kingdom 3.1%
A bitter factional fight in the ALP to decide Tony Sheehan's successor resulted in the appointment of ABC media celebrity Mary Delahunty as the candidate. Her appointment is seen by the left as part of an overall strategy to take Labor further to the right, to make up ground lost to Jeff Kennett.
"Your Neighbour, Your Voice" Ken Saunders, 53, was born in Portland, Victoria. He now lives in Preston with his wife Julie and their three children - Harry (7), Fred (12) and Joseph (13). Another son Mark (24) lives in Wonthaggi. Ken is a Senior Administrative Officer and Researcher with the Mirimbiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation. Work experiences: Liaison Officer at Bairnsdale TAFE and Lecturer at the Victorian Police Academy Councillor and Liaison Officer, Victorian Police Force Adviser, establishment of Victorian Community Justice Panels, prisoners visitor, court networker Director, Community Legal Service Guest speaker at community organisations Earlier - labourer and maintenance worker in meatworks, heavy machinery, dairy farming Community profile Ken Saunders is an Elder of the Gunditjmara clan (western district, Victoria) and has worked in Indigenous Affairs for over 25 years. He recently assisted the National Indigenous Working Group in respect to the proposed amendments to the Native Title Act 1993. In addition, he has played a major role in the negotiation of the Eastern Gas pipe line. This has enabled him to relate to business and people across NSW, SA and Victoria on this potentially contentious issue. Services history Ken's extensive experience includes working with: Victorian Post Secondary Education Commission East Gippsland Community College of TAFE Victorian Police Force Federal Police Victoria Victorian Aborigines Advancement League Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Cultural Officer at Camp Jungai National Aboriginal & Islander Health Organisation Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Incorporated Mirimbiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation * The people of Northcote need someone local. My voice is the people's voice not the voice of any party machine. * Northcote has been held by the Labor Party since 1927, that's 71 years of Labor. It's such a safe Labor seat that they're now forcing their latest rising star, Mary Delahunty, on an electorate she just doesn't understand. I'm giving people a chance for change, for a real local candidate who has Northcote's interests at heart. * The Northern suburbs have been ignored for too long. We've had 71 years of Labor here but things have just got worse. The people of Northcote, especially the small business people, have seen St Kilda, Carlton and Fitzroy spruced up while their main shopping strip, High Street, has gradually declined. Things are tough for business people in Northcote and the ALP just hasn't been listening to them. * Mary Delahunty lives in Mount Macedon. She doesn't have the background to really understand the people of Northcote. You've got to remember that Northcote is a very ethnically diverse area, and it's no Mount Macedon!
THE BIG PARTIES - IGNORING PEOPLE
* Mary Delahunty is a lovely woman, but she's part of the problem in Australian politics today. She's with the ALP, and like the Coalition they have left the ordinary Australian behind. I place the blame for the rise of One Nation squarely on the shoulders of the two major parties: they've stopped listening to the people and the people don't have a voice. * Because she's with the big boys, Mary Delahunty isn't in touch with the will of the people. An example of this came in the Constitutional Convention earlier this year, when Mary and her friends in the Australian Republican Movement voted against the idea that the people of Australian should elect their President. The surveys show that two-thirds of Australians want a system whereby they directly elect the President, but the big parties voted against this. They want the Parliament to elect the President instead. Once again, they are out of touch with the will of the people.
* Let's remember who we're dealing with here. This is a party of intolerance that wants to cut back funding for single mothers, the arts, Aboriginal health and education. One Nation also wants to remove gun controls, despite strong evidence that this will increase deaths and injuries.
* I call on Liberal voters to give me their vote to confirm that they oppose One Nation's divisive and racist policies. The Liberal Party is not standing a candidate so this is the best way for them to register their support for a peaceful community - by voting for a candidate who is a representative of the community and a symbol of all the people Pauline Hanson is attacking.
* One Nation says it has put me number two on its how to vote card. That's their business, but people should see this for what it is. This is a cynical exercise by One Nation that voters should see through. It helps One Nation in two ways. First, it has a how to vote card that is simple, thereby reducing the number of informal votes. Second, it creates the impression that they are not racist by allowing their second preferences to flow to me. Any advantage this may give me will be purely unintended on their part.
* This is a party that wants people to be able to speak perfect English even before they can come into the country. Given this, what do the concerns such as the "Statement for the Promotion of Greek in Victorian Schools" mean to them? Preserving language is very important to ethnic people in Northcote, and One Nation is telling them they have to lose their language to be real Australians. * Unemployment is running over 14% in Northcote at the moment, almost twice as high as in the rest of Victoria. The problem is the result of the decline in the manufacturing sector, especially the Textile Clothing & Footwear (TCF) and metalworking industries. It's important to remember here that it was the ALP who reduced the tariffs and abolished quotas in both these industries. Now this was a Federal issue but did the Victorian ALP object? No!
* There are plenty of jobs that need to be done and many that can be created in the Northcote area.
* We need to create local jobs by promoting local businesses. We need to inject funds into making High Street a top tourist and shopping area. This has already happened in Fitzroy, Carlton and St Kilda - but the northern suburbs have been left out once again.
* We need to create local jobs by employing more teachers, more nurses, more community workers - in short by increasing the range and quality of community services available to all people in Northcote.
* I'm an Indigenous person, and naturally I'm passionate about Indigenous issues. But I'm also passionate about other people's issues, including ethnic issues, and about the needs of all people in Northcote. I'm keen to learn more about the particular problems of ethnic people to see how I can help the many ethnic communities get a fair go.
* We're making history here, if I'm successful this will be the first time an Indigenous Australian is in the State Parliament. This would be a win not only for Indigenous people but for all ethnic and disadvantaged groups.
* I stand for all the ethnic people that One Nation is attacking. If elected, I would ask the Democrats to make me responsible for Ethnic Affairs - because I understand.
* I believe in preserving ethnic culture, through preserving language - with an overriding loyalty to Australia. We are all Australians.
* Even now I am giving support to the Greek community for teaching Greek in State schools. We need a stronger community, and will benefit economically if our language skills are improved and our cultural knowledge is expanded.
* There are real community concerns at blackspots in the area where traffic lights are needed, like the corner of Normanby Avenue and Leinster Grover in Thornbury - there was another accident there just the other week.
* More than a dozen school crossings in the Darebin area look like losing their supervisors because of a proposed cutback by the Council. We can't let this happen - the safety of our children must be a top priority.
* We must get conductors back on the trams. Older people, people with disabilities, children and tourists all need help and we all benefit from talking with a person instead of using a machine. HOUSING * Housing is a basic human right providing for the shelter and security of every citizen, and the privacy and freedom for a chosen lifestyle. Good housing policy also allows people to live more in a community environment, rather than in institutions. For these reasons, housing must be given a high priority in co-operative economic planning.
* I believe that encouragement of home ownership by State and Commonwealth governments is essential.
* Regarding private housing, I support: tax deductibility of mortgage payments for low-income earners; abolition of stamp duty on mortgages and transfer of land on owner-occupied homes; promotion of group self-build programs.
* Health is a key concern for the people of Northcote. The Preston And Northcote Community Hospital, PANCH, was closed in January and the State Government promised to set up a day service there and an ambulance centre - well that hasn't happened, and once again people have to go without.
* If I'm elected I'll do everything in my power to get the PANCH re-opened or a proper daycare and ambulance centre opened. We need more hospital beds and more nurses. I'll lobby the Government and I won't give up.
* Ambulance response times are too slow. The system must be improved and we need more ambulance drivers.
* There is a strong call for a better response to the problem of drug abuse in the Northcote area. I support this call, in particular the call for responses at a community level.
* Northcote has triple the state average for TB. I will ensure that we find out why this is so, and what needs to be done. I will press for action to remedy this situation. GAMBLING
* Gambling is another big health-related problem in Northcote. Just about every hotel is full of pokies, and the State Government doesn't care that gambling is causing a lot of hurt for families in the area. Every day there are more and more pokies, more and more people getting addicted to gambling and more and more families hurting because of it. Only 2 of 12 Darebin pubs don't have pokies. I would press for a reduction of pokie machines in Northcote.
* There need to be more teachers in local schools in the area, so that class sizes can be wound back. Big classes make learning difficult for the students and put the teachers under great strain.
* Cuts to school funding are forcing schools in Northcote to look for funds in the community. They should be teaching our kids, not looking for money. The Holiday Care Program at Northcote Primary School was axed because of funding cuts - that's just one example.
* Kids need access to quality education whatever their ability, whatever their parents' income and wherever they live. Funding for education has to recognise disadvantage, particularly in government schools.
* Good teachers will produce better teaching. Victorian teachers should have: clear career path options; better support for teachers; salaries related to their training, skills and responsibilities; access to suitable professional development; a national registration system; support from the Department of Education for reasonable working conditions.
* I am committed to the development of first-rate education based on the principles of equality and justice. The challenge is: to provide support to those who are disadvantaged by difficulties of geographical access or low income; to promote diversity and excellence in the school system for all children, be they gifted, geographically isolated, physically or intellectually handicapped, economically disadvantaged, Aboriginal, ethnic, itinerant, or refugee.
Industrial Relations * High levels of unemployment and job insecurity have skewed the balance of bargaining power in favour of employers.
* To gain their fair share of the benefits from new technology, employees must have the security of minimum standards in wages and working conditions - and a chance to share in the profits of the business through share ownership and more of a say in management.
* Unions have an important role in protecting workers' rights and conditions. Employers must deal with a union if a worker or a group of workers chooses to be represented. Union representatives must have ready access to workplaces.
* I will fight for the right of unions to be heard before the VICIRC. Unions should also be able to apply for award coverage and arbitration outside of allowable award matters.
* Like all policies, the Democrats Industrial Relations policy is under constant review and I will be part of that process. It is my firm belief that all unions should regain the right to stage secondary boycotts in support of other workers.
AGING * Elderly people have the right to enjoy a quality of life, to live in safety and to continue contributing to society.
* As people get older, they need other forms of transport. I will advocate: increased transport options including the introduction of low floor trams and buses; community transport where public transport is not available.
* Jobs: there is a large proportion of people in the 55+ age group looking for work in Northcote. We sell ourselves short if our society does not use the accumulated knowledge, experience and wisdom of our elders.
* Income Support: I believe that the real value of concessions needs to be maintained, and call for the current concessions to be linked to inflation.
* Lower interest rates mean a reduction in income for self-funded retirees. I will call for financial assistance to be brought into line with holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
CHILDCARE * Children are our most valuable resource and should be nurtured. They have the basic right to a safe and secure environment and an upbringing free from trauma. It is the responsibility of society to provide a nurturing environment so that children are able to grow and develop to reach their full potential.
* Quality childcare provides this safe, secure and nurturing environment for children, whilst allowing parents to fulfill their own needs or to pursue opportunities to participate in society and/or the workforce.
* The provision of childcare is essential to participation in the workforce and the maintenance of adequate living standards, particularly for women and sole parents.
* Choice means being able to stay at home with a child if the parent wishes, or being able to go to work (be it full or part-time) if the parent wishes.
* All providers of childcare who receive funds provided through the Federal Government must be accredited, to ensure children are getting quality care.
ACCOUNTABILITY & CONSULTATION * If elected I will make a commitment to conduct a public meeting every month where people can have their say about what's going on. I will be there to listen to everyone's concerns and explain what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Unlike other politicians, I am prepared to make this commitment to be totally accountable to the people. Back to
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Ken
Saunders Sid
Spindler Justin
O'Brien 0411
753 201 9859
5607 / 018 966 915 9416
5262 / 0411 473 697 62 Wellington Parade East Melbourne 3002 |
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MEDIA ALERT - JULY 22, 1998 Democrats field local candidate for Northcote The Australian Democrats today announced its candidate for the August 15 Northcote by-election. The candidate, 53 year-old Aboriginal elder Ken Saunders, is local to Northcote and will run a strong campaign based on providing an alternative to the "the out of touch and insincere politics of the major parties".
"The Labor Party and the Coalition are both part of the same problem in Australia today. No one's telling us what's going on or what they are planning to do. They just go ahead and do what they want, and working people are the victims. No matter what their colour, the battlers are being hit the hardest by their policies," Mr Saunders said.
"Because of their indifference, the major parties are to be blamed for the rise of One Nation and its destructive influence. We need to send a strong statement to show that Australians reject the trend toward divisive politics," he added.
Senator Lyn Allison welcomed the members' endorsement of Mr Saunders and said an alternative voice for the 'disenchanted' was sorely needed.
Senator Allison said in Northcote the Australian Democrats would campaign strongly on a range of local issues, including: * giving low income earners, pensioners, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities a fair go * creating local employment opportunities through regionalised networks * improving public transport
Mr Saunders made a commitment to be fully accountable to his electorate if elected. "As a local of Northcote, I will make a commitment to conduct a public meeting every month where people can have their say about what's going on. Also, I will be there to listen to everyone's concerns and explain what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Unlike other politicians I am prepared to make this commitment to be totally accountable to the people.
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MEDIA ALERT - July 27, 1998
Saunders calls on Northcote voters to reject racism The Australian Democrats candidate for Northcote, Ken Saunders, today called on the people of Northcote to send a strong message in the August 15 by-election that they firmly reject the divisive influence of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. Mr Saunders, an Aboriginal elder of the Gunditjmara tribe, said the by-election provides the people of Northcote with an opportunity to "strongly reject racism in all its forms". "This is an opportunity for everyone to send a message to Pauline Hanson by voting for a candidate representing all the people One Nation is attacking. Whilst One Nation is unlikely to run in Northcote, there remains a clear need for the people to voice their opposition to its increasing influence in Australia today," Mr Saunders said. Ken Saunders, local to Northcote, is running a strong campaign based on providing an alternative to the "the out of touch and insincere politics of the major parties" he blames for the rise of One Nation. "I blame the ALP and the Coalition for the rise of One Nation. They have stopped listening to the people, and don't communicate with their electorates anymore. All this shame that is now brought upon Australia could have been avoided if the politicians stopped being politicians and started listening to the people who voted for them," he said. His campaign is based on a range of local issues, including: * giving low income earners, pensioners, single mothers, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities a fair go, in particular by creating more jobs, through support for local business * improving public transport * improving local health services, impaired by the closure in January of the Northcote And Preston Community Hospital.
MEDIA RELEASE - July 28, 1998 Northcote shows early support for Ken's campaign Ken Saunders, Australian Democrat candidate for Northcote, today released his first campaign leaflet and the campaign poster. Volunteers are now distributing the leaflets throughout the electorate. "I am delighted with the response I am getting when I doorknock," Mr Saunders said. "People are keen to have a local person for whom they can vote - someone who understands their needs and concerns because he lives among them. "They also see me as a symbol of the people Pauline Hanson is attacking. Even though One Nation is not standing a candidate in Northcote, the people seem glad of the opportunity to show that they reject their hateful policies and to vote for someone who stands for an inclusive multicultural society. "I am pleased to notice that this also includes Liberal voters, who don't have a candidate in this election," Ken concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE - July 29, 1998
Saunders calls on Northcote to reject racist One Nation
Following the announcement today that Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party is fielding a candidate in the Northcote by-election, Ken Saunders, Australian Democrat candidate for Northcote, called on voters to send a strong signal that they reject the destructive narrow-mindedness of One Nation.
Mr Saunders, an Aboriginal elder of the Gunditjmara tribe, said he welcomed the opportunity to show One Nation they are not welcome in Victorian politics.
"I am standing as a representative of the people that One Nation is attacking - the Indigenous and ethnic peoples of Australia. I am standing for a peaceful community where every person is respected. People who reject the racist extremism and hateful policies of the One Nation party should vote for me. We need to send a very strong signal that the people of Northcote reject the racist and destructive policies of One Nation," Mr Saunders said.
"I have thrown my hat in the ring so the voters of Northcote can express their disgust with the destructive policies One Nation is trying to bring about in our community.
"I am getting solid support in the community as I talk to the people. Traditional ALP voters are saying that 71 years of ALP hasn't delivered much to the local community. Liberal voters, who don't have a candidate in the by-election, will relish the opportunity to express their rejection of One Nation," Mr Saunders said.
"People see me as a symbol of the people Pauline Hanson is attacking. People are glad of the opportunity to show that they support and will vote for someone who stands for an inclusive multicultural society.
MEDIA RELEASE - July 31, 1998
Saunders backs Kennett call to put One Nation last
The Australian Democrats candidate in the Northcote by-election, Aboriginal elder Ken Saunders, today backed calls by Premier Jeff Kennett for the people of Northcote to put One Nation last at the August 15 poll.
The Premier, quoted in the Herald Sun today, called on the electors to "put One Nation last". He said voters should "look at the independents and find someone who genuinely wants to serve that community".
Speaking from his High Street campaign office, Mr Saunders said he welcomed the Premier's statement.
"Mr Kennett is reflecting what many traditional Liberal Party voters are already telling me - that they will put One Nation last. Also, I'm receiving many pledges from Liberal voters that I will have their vote on August 15," he said.
"Liberal voters, who don't have a candidate in the by-election, will relish the opportunity to express their rejection of One Nation. People see me as a symbol of everyone Pauline Hanson is attacking. The voters understand that I am someone who stands for an inclusive multicultural society and for the benefit of the local community."
In another development this week, One Nation candidate Nikolas Kavalenka refused to debate Mr Saunders and ALP candidate Mary Delahunty on the ABC TV Stateline program. The debate, which was to be broadcast tonight, would have forced Mr Kavalenka to provide details of the policies and plans One Nation has for Northcote.
"The fact is, One Nation don't have a clue why they're running in Northcote - one of the most ethnically diverse electorates in the country. They're full of talk and nothing else - divisive and destructive talk that has dragged Australian politics into the mud in the eyes of the international community. They won't debate the issues because they have nothing to offer except hatred and blame," Ken Saunders said.
MEDIA RELEASE - August 1, 1998 One Nation stays last - Ken Saunders On learning that One Nation intend to have a how to vote card that runs straight down the ticket, giving Democrat candidate Ken Saunders their second preference, Mr Saunders said "this is a cynical exercise by One Nation that voters should see through". "This helps One Nation in two ways. First, they have a how to vote card that is simple, thereby reducing the number of informal votes. Second, it creates the impression that they are not racist by allowing their second preferences to flow to me. Any advantage this may give me will be purely unintended on their part," Mr Saunders said. "Their strategy is very clear - people should not be fooled by it. One Nation is attacking ethnic and Indigenous people and all their policies are directed towards making our society more unequal and setting people against each other. "Pauline Hanson's One Nation remains last on my how to vote card," Mr Saunders concluded.
MEDIA ALERT - August 3, 1998 Your are invited to attend
The launch of the Ken Saunders campaign for the August 15 Northcote by-election.
Ken, a member of the Australian Democrats, is the first Indigenous person to stand against a One Nation candidate in Australia. If he is elected to Parliament he will be the first Indigenous parliamentarian in Victoria's history.
11 am Tuesday, August 4 285 High Street, Northcote, VIC 3070 Ph (03) 9482 9036 Fax (03) 9486 8840 Refreshments provided
musicians, and other members of the Northcote community and show your support for Ken Saunders: Your Neighbour, Your Voice.
MEDIA RELEASE - August 4, 1998 Ken launches campaign for Northcote
Aboriginal elder Ken Saunders, the Australian Democrats candidate in the August 15 Northcote by-election, today officially launched his campaign.
"I'm sure my father, Walter Christopher George Saunders and my brother, the late Captain Reg Saunders, and all my people would be very proud to see an Indigenous person having a go," Ken said in his launch speech.
"I put my name in the hat for Northcote for two reasons: first, because the people of Northcote need a strong local voice, someone who's going to take up their issues and really represent them. Second, because I believe there should be more of my people involved inside the political process. For too many years Aboriginal people have been on the outside the process," Ken said.
"I'm still very baffled by One Nation's decision to run for Northcote. This area is a very multicultural area, something One Nation are hell-bent against.
"I seem to have ended up being the symbol of opposition to One Nation's first go at an election in Victoria. I'm very happy in this role - because the people of Northcote don't want them here, or anywhere in Victoria. I'm here to give people a chance to say NO NO NO to One Nation and their racist and narrow-minded policies, and to vote for me to confirm their disgust with One Nation.
"I'm here to tell the governments and the big parties that they can't ignore the ordinary Australian. I'm and here to tell One Nation that they can't destroy people's culture and the multicultural society we are building in Australia, and which will give our children, all our children, a better future," Ken concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE - August 4, 1998
One Nation should put up or shut up
The Australian Democrats candidate in the Northcote by-election, Aboriginal elder Ken Saunders, today demanded One Nation reveal its policies. Mr Saunders accused One Nation candidate Nikolas Kavalenka of deceiving the people of Northcote by hiding behind "a lot of talk with no substance".
"Mr Kavalenka is deceiving the people of Northcote by not coming out and saying what his policies are," Mr Saunders said. "One Nation is a prejudiced party that is trying to divide the Australian community along racial lines. They have no respect for the fact that ethnic people are a vital part of Australia's history.
"Nikolas Kavalenka and his One Nation minders are treating the Northcote community with contempt by not coming clean on their policies," he said.
"Some people think One Nation represents a return to the past, I think they represent the evil of racism - nothing less," Mr Saunders said.
Mr Saunders said the proof in the pudding came last week when One Nation refused to debate him on ABC Television. The debate, which was to be broadcast on ABC's Stateline program on Friday July 31, would have forced Mr Kavalenka to provide details of the policies and plans One Nation has for Northcote.
"The fact is, One Nation don't have a clue why they're running in Northcote - one of the most ethnically diverse electorates in the country. They're full of talk and nothing else - divisive and destructive talk that has dragged Australian politics into the mud in the eyes of the international community. They won't debate the issues because they have nothing to offer except hatred and blame.
"It's unbelievable that Mr Kavalenka thinks he can just row over here from Williamstown and start telling Northcote people how they should be living," Mr Saunders concluded.
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