Human rights hearings begin today

Australians have shown unprecedented support for a Human Rights Act for Australia. The National Human Rights Consultation Committee has received 38,000 submissions, making it the biggest consultation of its kind in Australia.

After a series of Roundtable community discussions throughout the country the final stage in the process begins from today ... More

Democrats' membership grows

During the past 3 months Australian Democrats' membership has grown 7.5% nationally and 6% in Victoria. The trend is continuing with new members joining every day ... More

Australia violates children's rights

Christmas Island is no place to detain children

Amnesty International has called on the Australian Government to commit fully to its vision of creating a more humane refugee system. An online petition addressed to Immigration Minister, Chris Evans insists that the government stop violating its international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) ... More

Is Victoria serious about reconciliation?

The Democrats have added their voice to the campaign to save Reconciliation Victoria. Victorian Democrats are urging members, supporters and the public to write, phone and email the Premier calling for his personal intervention.

Reconciliation Victoria will be forced to close its office at the end of June unless the Victorian Government reverses its decision to discontinue funding. The Government's decision flys in the face of its public commitment to 'closing the gap' ... More

Saying "sorry" is not enough - Amnesty

Amnesty International Australia says although it was a momentous year for human rights in Australia, much remains to be done.

There were many positives including the government's formal apology to the Stolen Generations, the announcement of the national consultation into human rights protection, the establishment of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, the end of the Temporary Protection Visa scheme and the shelving of the so-called 'Pacific Solution'... More

Boat arrivals - humane response needed

The Refugee Council of Australia has called for strong moral leadership on asylum policy. The Council urged the Opposition to abandon its call for a return to the cruel and counterproductive Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) regime, which inflicted intense suffering on people known to be refugees, failed in its attempt to deter people smuggling, and attracted widespread international condemnation ... More

Victoria axes reconciliation funding

Despite the Victorian Government's public commitment last year to 'closing the gap' in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and health outcomes, the Brumby Government appears to be uncommitted when it comes to the difficult task of addressing cultural misunderstanding in the general population ... More

A Human Rights Act for Australia

During April and May the National Human Rights Consultation Committee will be conducting Community Roundtable events in Melbourne, Geelong, Dandenong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Wodonga, and Mildura. A calendar of venues and dates is listed on the Human Rights Consultation website. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to call for binding legal protection of the human rights of everyone in Australia ... More

Who will keep the bastards honest now?

With no Australian Democrats in the senate who will strive to keep the government transparent and accountable? Who will demand legislation that protects independence and liberty? And who will stand up for the underprivileged and disenfranchised?

We will. With your help there's much we can do. We can still influence government via petitions and submissions, public forums and rallies. But until we get the Australian Democrats back into parliament our strength lies in numbers.

Make a difference - join the Democrats

Take part in the democratic process. The Australian Democrats is the only party in which the members determine the party policy.

Take part in all the Australian Democrats activities and enjoy the privileges of membership except voting rights.

Stay informed and get involved without officially signing up. Just supply your first name, email address and postcode.

Get involved in grassroots online democracy. Take part in stimulating discussions and debates and express your views in your own online journals. Everyone welcome: members, supporters, friends and foes.