3 August 2010

Election '10 Candidate Questionaire - Anthony David for the Senate

| johnboy
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Anthony David

Anthony David, the Australian Democrats number 2 candidate for the Senate is our second candidate to return answers to your questions:

1) whitelaughter asked: Would you support abolishing self-government in the ACT? Please include a “yes” or “no” in your answer.

In a word – No.

Further, the ACT has shown that we can govern ourselves. How to effectively deliver services at the local, Territory and regional levels is an ongoing process. Looking back, the ACT is definitely better governed that the earlier years and I expect improvements as we go. There are always going to be mistakes so accountability for decisions is essential. In decades to come, I would like to see an alternative to the Westminster system-based Assembly. There is more than enough work to be done without doubling up on responsibilities.


2) neanderthalsis asked: Do you support the proposed internet mandatory ISP filter and Data Recording Directive that record the browsing history of all internet connections?

I joined the Democrats in 2000 because I was sick of whinging about Richard Alston and his luddite filtering policy. The Labor party then comes up with this stupid idea and a decade later we have to go through the same rubbish and worse. I have evaluated, implemented and managed filtering in a few Govt Internet gateways. I find it hard to believe that what can be reasonably managed in a work environment is being proposed for the entire nation. An efficient reporting mechanism for genuine illegal content websites and extending international treaties and operations to prosecute the producers,profiteers and consumers makes more sense to me. As for the Data Recording Directive, I confess to voting Liberal in 1995 because the Labor party had a proclivity of controlling, monitoring and proscribing people’s lives. Nothing much has changed.


3) 54-11 asked: Comsuper and DFRDB pensions are indexed by the CPI rather than by a wage-based index. The former Government, with the full support of the then Labor Opposition, stopped using the CPI to index the Age Pension more than a decade ago because it was considered an unsuitable and unfair way to adjust pensions. As a politician, your super is indexed to the increase in Parliamentary salaries and allowances, which is far more generous than for anyone else. Do you support, and will you actually do something about, fair and equitable indexation of all pensions?

To quote from our balloted policy “We support the indexation of veteran’s pensions and compensatory payments to Male Average Weekly Earnings or CPI (whichever is greater) as we do in regard to Social Security pensions. The Democrats have long argued that all pensions, including the War Widows Pension and the Service Pension, should be indexed quarterly”. To fund it, I want to see the next government seriously address the recommendations of the Henry Tax Review and the Intergenerational Reports to address the funding of this policy.


4) Thumper asked: What do you consider to be the maximum sustainable population for Australia and how do you intend to ensure that that this maximum is not breached whilst continuing to encourage immigrants as well as accepting genuine refugees?

Thomas Griffith Taylor got hounded out of Australia in the late 20’s for suggesting the maximum capacity was around 25 million. His argument was principally water resource-based. To consider what is a reasonable population target now, the following points are just some that need to be considered. The last global population projections that I read was around 9 billion people by 2050 where the effects of lowering fertility rates kick-in. Fertility in Australia has kicked up, bucking the global trends. Immigration was historically high under the previous government and has up until now, been left to run. Our humanitarian obligations to refugees is a small proportion of that total. The city of Perth is mining its ground water supplies and is the major Australian city to be affected by climate change-driven drops in rainfall average. Desalination is being deployed to address water problems, but the energy requirements are huge. Thinking about just these points and considering how slow Australia is responding to many of these issues in a sustainable manner, there is no way I can put a number much above Griffith Taylor’s. That being said, a government that wants a larger population has to develop a coordinated vision, deliver appropriate infrastructure and provide market conditions to ensure the vision and our behaviour/lifestyle is congruent. All this has to happen way beyond the next election cycle. We need a Parliament that is focused on these important issues.


5) Primal asked: Why were you deemed the best candidate for your party in the seat you’re contesting?

I’m the second best 🙂


6) Jivrashia asked: If a man says something, and the wife isn’t there to hear him, is he still wrong?

After 26 years of marriage, I am getting used to the whole concept of admitting guilt to my many failings. Just the other day my wife looked at my placement of the ironing board and the card table in the laundry. She suggested I was lazy. I responded “Sometimes I am”. She laughed. Getting back to the question; It’s complicated.


7) colourful sydney racing identity asked: Did you prepare this response to RiotACT questions yourself or was it done by your party office?

Yes and Yes (if you call the “party office” my kitchen table).


8 ) p1 asked: Do you think that the Commonwealth Government should be able to overturn laws passed by the ACT?

No. Self government means exactly that, with the proviso that laws passed in the ACT are Federally constitutional.


9) bd84 asked: What are the top priorities or projects for Canberra that you will be lobbying the new Government for?

I am pleased that mental health has become an issue in the media and I will work hard to ensure Federal support for innovative programs such as ACT Health’s “ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy 2010- 2014”. Pleasingly, this strategy aims to implement many of the Australian Democrats’ policies, particularly with respect to the issues of indigenous peoples, prisoners and the often common link between mental health and the above substances.

Effective education is the cornerstone of our civil society. I am particularly concerned at the shortage of science and mathematics trained teachers, especially in primary schools . The Federal government has a role in the development and deployment of these resources in the ACT.

The Nation’s Capital needs Federal investment in a modern transport infrastructure such as the bus system, light rail and a fast intercity rail link. Canberra needs easier ways for getting around, for both visitors and residents.


10) Pommy bastard asked: Witches on Mt Ainslie, should their freedom of expression be protected from interference by fundy nutsacks?

Mount Ainslie is a public place and people should behave civilly and according to law. I don’t condone harassment of others on the basis of belief, non-belief, hair colour or any other thing that some people confect outrage at.


The Eleventh Question

#2 colourful sydney racing identity asked: Are you a creationist, and if so, do you believe the world is less than 10,000 years old?

In the 46 years I have had an interest in science and the natural world, I have not found any evidence for creation or a 10,000 year old world. I do enjoy taking school groups through the National Dinosaur Museum and I am a fan of the “Age of Fishes” Museum in Canowindra. I confess going to a Duane Gish public talk in the early 80s. It took quite a while to figure out the stupidity of his claims.

#9 Thumper asked: do you drink VB? If so, why?

I have drunk VB. In fact I have had a VB this year. My view is that it is a big world out there and life is too short and there are too many beer varieties to be wedded to one brand. That being said, as an ex-South Australian I confess to a significant frequency of drinking all things Coopers.

Feel free to visit http://www.democrats.org.au/policies and let me know about any discrepancies between the above answers and my party’s position.

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Gungahlin Al12:06 pm 04 Aug 10

switch said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Why whould you want to piss away a preference by handing it to the Greens?

Unless you do an informal vote, your vote is never “pissed away” in our voting system: either the ALP or the LNP will get it eventually. Albert Langer once showed how to make votes truly optional preferential, but that loop hole got closed smart quick!

By the Howard government, at a time when many people were most unimpressed with both of the old parties (sounds familiar?), in order to force everyone to vote either ALP or Liberal eventually, irrespective of how far down their preference flow they came.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Why whould you want to piss away a preference by handing it to the Greens?

Unless you do an informal vote, your vote is never “pissed away” in our voting system: either the ALP or the LNP will get it eventually. Albert Langer once showed how to make votes truly optional preferential, but that loop hole got closed smart quick!

colourful sydney racing identity4:46 pm 03 Aug 10

Jazz said :

“Most people won’t care, and it is certainly the Dems right to choose their flow of preferences, but I think a fair few voters will be distubred by their decision.”

Probably just as many voters who vote green and then find their preferences flowing to the labor party.. Vote below the line and you will control where your preferences go. Above and you get no say. Simple isnt it?

Not really. I think people would be more surprised to hear that the Democrats have preferenced the Liberals ahead of the Grrens and Labor than those that would be surprised that the Greens preference the Democrats, then Labor ahead of the Liberals.

colourful sydney racing identity4:44 pm 03 Aug 10

Clown Killer said :

if you vote 1 above the line for the Dems in the senate, your preferences go to the Liberals before the Greens

And the problem with that is? … tumbleweed rolls by …

Why whould you want to piss away a preference by handing it to the Greens?

Why would you piss away a vote by giving it to the Democrats in the first place?

THe relaity is it is of no consequence as we will have 2 Labor MHR’s 1 Labor Senator and 1 Liberal Senator. Might as well call an end to the campaign now.

“Most people won’t care, and it is certainly the Dems right to choose their flow of preferences, but I think a fair few voters will be distubred by their decision.”

Probably just as many voters who vote green and then find their preferences flowing to the labor party.. Vote below the line and you will control where your preferences go. Above and you get no say. Simple isnt it?

Clown Killer4:39 pm 03 Aug 10

if you vote 1 above the line for the Dems in the senate, your preferences go to the Liberals before the Greens

And the problem with that is? … tumbleweed rolls by …

Why whould you want to piss away a preference by handing it to the Greens?

colourful sydney racing identity4:27 pm 03 Aug 10

Off topic I know but I am a little concerned about the ad on the bottom of my screen.

Apparently I can watch Senator Barbara Boxer talk about the clear choice in this election.

I was trying to work out which state and party she represented. Turns out I may not be in her constituency…

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Will you shave off that stupid ‘beard’?

colourful sydney racing identity4:00 pm 03 Aug 10

The funny thing is despite all of what they put in their email bagging the Greens for never supporting them the Greens have given the Democrats their first non Green preferences.

As for Humphries being a “much-needed hand of restraint on Mr Abbott’s shoulder and voice of reason in their Party Room”; how could anyone type that with a straight face. serioulsy roflcopter material

… and that’s why the Democrats are dead.

colourful sydney racing identity3:25 pm 03 Aug 10

From todays crikey

Why the Democrats are backing the Liberals. Here’s a copy of an ACT Democrats e-mail about preference deals:

Dear ACT Democrats Members and Associate Members,

You will soon be hearing in the media (if you haven’t already) about a decision to give our Senate preferences in the ACT to the Liberal Party. No doubt this will upset some members, so let us explain why it has occurred.

As horrible and undemocratic as they are, it is necessary to lodge a Group Voting Ticket (preference decision) with the Australian Electoral Commission for above-the-line voting. The decision to allocate our preferences to the Liberals was not taken lightly and not without considerable angst.

We held discussions with the Greens, the Liberals and the independent. In the end discussions with the Greens indicated that giving our preferences to them would be a one-way affair, i.e. the Greens gain but the Australian Democrats get nothing.

The Greens have not been a friend to the Australian Democrats. They have often taken our preferences and regarded them as a right. This has not helped the Australian Democrats. It has helped the Greens — and always at our expense, creating the impression that the Australian Democrats are not much more than a faction of the Greens.

If there had been a moderate “centre” party, group or independent (or other like-minded party) they would have figured strongly in our deliberations.

Gary Humphries is a moderate Liberal, Someone who a few years ago would have been referred to as a “wet” or a “small l Liberal.” People such as Don Chipp and Greg Barns would be regarded similarly.

Should we find ourselves with an Abbott Liberal government after the election, Humphries could be a much-needed hand of restraint on Mr Abbott’s shoulder and voice of reason in their Party Room. He has demonstrated this in his preparedness to cross the floor in the interests of the ACT and his call for electoral reform to improve our democracy. Having the guts to dissent and cross the floor for the sake of your constituents is what “keeping the bastards honest” is all about.

In some states the Australian Democrats have preferenced Labor, e.g. Victoria and SA (laced ticket — 1 Lab, 2 Lib, 3 Lab, 4 Lib, etc); in some we have held to the traditional split-ticket but Greens higher, eg, NSW, WA, Qld; and in others, ACT and Tas, we have preferenced the Liberals.

In all cases, we have considered the interests and acted on the merits of the individual case, and the greater good of the Australian Democrats, both in this election and for the future.

If you have an issue with this decision, we encourage you to take the Australian Democrats preferred option of voting “below-the-line” and direct your preferences where you want them to go.

Please contact us if you would like more details. We are happy to discuss.

Kind regards,

Darren Churchill and Anthony David

I am amazed when ever I hear about anyone voting above the line. I find it hard to believe that anyone could have exactly the same opinion on where their preferences should go as any party.

colourful sydney racing identity2:22 pm 03 Aug 10

verbalkint said :

Just so that everyone is on the same page – if you vote 1 above the line for the Dems in the senate, your preferences go to the Liberals before the Greens.

Most people won’t care, and it is certainly the Dems right to choose their flow of preferences, but I think a fair few voters will be distubred by their decision.

Page 3 of this document: http://www.aec.gov.au/election/files/e2010-gvt-act.pdf

Personally I am disturbed by this. I never vote above the line and this is why.

How on earth can the Democrats preference the Liberal Party ahead of the Greens and Labor?

Given that the Democrats could not possibly win a senate seat in the ACT, they are effectively running as a ‘front’ candidate for Gary Humphries.

Just so that everyone is on the same page – if you vote 1 above the line for the Dems in the senate, your preferences go to the Liberals before the Greens.

Most people won’t care, and it is certainly the Dems right to choose their flow of preferences, but I think a fair few voters will be distubred by their decision.

Page 3 of this document: http://www.aec.gov.au/election/files/e2010-gvt-act.pdf

Here’s hoping the other responses are as honest and entertaining as this.

georgesgenitals1:50 pm 03 Aug 10

Anthony – did you used to sell car stereos? You look just like a guy who sold me a whole bunch of stuff once (and it was really good).

Great response. Was looking for a reasonable non lab / lib / green option. This might be it.

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