Questions and answers

None of the above. The myriad aspects to governance are too complex to be reduced to one word. The Australian Democrats are unique in that we don't follow a particular ideology. We neither represent nor hold allegiance to any political, social, corporate or religious group. 

We are unique, too, in that all policy is decided by the majority vote of our members and our policy on every issue must comply with our party objectives, also decided upon by the members.

These objectives all embody guiding principles, which when reduced to their essence, are honesty, empathy and equality.

Unlike the political labels above, these principles leave no room for interpretation or confusion. You can't be a little bit honest, a little bit empathetic, a little bit equal.

With this in mind it is easy to predict where the Australian Democrats will stand on any issue.

As parents we promise to keep our children safe. Spouses promise to love each other until they die. Tacitly understood, even by young children, within any promise are the unspoken words: "to the best of my ability".

The Australian Democrats have done everything to the best of their ability to make government honest, transparent and accountable. No other Australian political party has done as much. Some have tried to achieve the opposite.

"Keeping the bastards honest" is the promise to strive to do so. In a uniquely Australian way it expresses what most people want - to be treated respectfully and told the truth.

Respect for others fosters honesty, empathy and equality - the irreducible principles that underpin all Australian Democrats policy.

That is a widespread myth. The Australian Democrats October 1998 election tax reform platform outlined the limited basis on which we could accept a modified GST, calling for major exemptions for food and other categories, and for stronger environmental and social outcomes.

We said we would oppose the Government's model of a GST, but would not oppose it if the GST tax reform package could be made economically, environmentally and socially responsible. Read more here.

Next time you shop for groceries check you docket and note that essential food items are excluded. You can thank the Democrats for that.

Compared to the other parties' disputes and scandals, which are in the news almost every day, our squabbles and single defection are trivial. Whilst there is always room for improvement, the party structure has served us well for more than 30 years.

The Australian Democrats have not self-destructed. We have no parliamentary representation for the time being but until we do there is much we can achieve from the "outside".