Ken Saunders

"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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken Saunders

The Facts

Local Representation

Big Parties - Ignoring People

One Nation

Health

Education

Media Releases

Email


 

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Your Neighbour, Your Voice

Anyone interested in assisting the campaign (leafleting, polling booths,office work or donations) should contact Sid Spindler at the campaign office at, 


285 High Street Northcote, Victoria, 3070

Ph: (03) 9482 9036 Fax: (03) 9486 8840

Mobile: 018 966 915

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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)

 

The Facts:

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.

 


Ken Saunders

"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

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LOCAL REPRESENTATION

* 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!

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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.

 

ONE NATION

* 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.

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GETTING JOBS

* 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.

 

ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

* 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.

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT

 

* 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.

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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 ISSUES

* 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.

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EDUCATION

* 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.

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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.

 

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Contacts

Ken Saunders

Sid Spindler

Justin O'Brien

0411 753 201

9859 5607 / 018 966 915

9416 5262 / 0411 473 697

Written, authorised by J Peters

62 Wellington Parade East Melbourne 3002


 

MEDIA RELEASES:

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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

 

Join Democrat Senator Lyn Allison, prominent Indigenous footballers and

musicians, and other members of the Northcote community and show your

support for Ken Saunders: Your Neighbour, Your Voice.

 

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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.

 

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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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