We're Not Dead

Well, we're not.

On 30 June 2008 the terms of the four Australian Democrats Senators came to an end. In good grace, Senators Allison, Murray, Bartlett and Stott-Despoja stepped down from their seats to make way for the new order resulting from last year's Federal Election. And following that, there seemed to come an expectation from the Australian public that the Democrats would quietly roll over and die.

I ask you: what kind of Australian does that?

Here in the ACT, Canberrans have suffered four long years under the unfettered power of a majority government. We've seen a weak cross-bench bent to the whim of unrestrained Labor rule and we've seen a fractured and obstructionist Opposition serving their own interests above those of Canberrans. We've had four years with no one in our Legislative Assembly prepared to ask the hard questions and keep the bastards honest.

To the Australian Democrats, that sounds like a challenge.

This is when we're needed more than ever. This is when the Australian Democrats are more relevant than they've ever been. If we're the underdog, it only means we have to bark louder and longer to defend those accomplishments and aspirations that make the Australian Capital Territory strong.

The Australian Democrats believe in accountable government; they believe in responsible leadership; and they believe in Canberra. The big parties need someone to keep them in check, and the Democrats aren't going to step down from that fight when the going gets tough.

At this October election, the Australian Democrats are fielding a committed, visionary team who are prepared to go the hard yards to bring balance back to ACT politics. In Ginninderra, you're represented by Darren Churchill and Marilyn Dennis, and in Molonglo your candidate is Greg Tannahill. Together we offer the return to a sustainable, accountable government and a path to the better Canberra that you deserve.