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Speech notes from the closing plenary session of the Now We The People conference, 24.8.03 University of Technology, Sydney A just Australia or just a straggler? - building the alliance for "peace and justice" Rod Donald MP Hei mihi aroha, kia kotou katoa (loving greetings to you all). Thanks for inviting me. I have enjoyed the opportunity to share our success in winning proportional representation in New Zealand and talking about the benefits of the multi-party parliamentary democracy that we now have. The electoral reform movement in New Zealand is an example of a political justice alliance. A diverse range of people came together to achieve a common cause. Our strength was in both our unity and our diversity. That's been the hallmark of this conference. We are a diverse range of people, all with different but related primary interests. We share a common belief in strengthening the grass roots - power to the people - and countering the control and abuse of power by the establishment. Having learnt a lot from each other we should develop these relationships. In the Trans-Tasman context there are many existing networks but we need to make these stronger and build more. Australia and New Zealand have much in common. Both our Governments are members of the US global police force. Howard may be the deputy sheriff but New Zealand still has a frigate in the Gulf, troops in Afghanistan, and more on the way to Iraq. But there is also strong opposition to both our governments from our citizens. In New Zealand the peace movement has been revitalised as is also clearly the case here. Both the Australian and New Zealand Governments harbour NSA spy bases, yours is bigger and you also have Pine Gap, but both countries also have anti-bases campaigns. Both our Governments are pursuing free-trade agreements with the United States. Your negotiations are under way while New Zealand is desperate to get them started. Both countries are part of the Cairns group and are locked into the WTO agenda. But you have AFTINET and we have ARENA, to highlight the fundamental flaws of the free-trade agenda. We also have fair trading organisations - CAA trading in Australia and Trade Aid in New Zealand. We also both have union movements challenging free trade, indigenous people fighting for their sovereignty and Green Parties campaigning on all of the above and a host of other issues, including trying to stop the Government backed invasion of genetic engineering into our food, farms and environment and the expansion of the surveillance state and the shackling of our civil liberties. So much of what concerns us all stems from the failure of politicians and governments to serve those who elect them. Rather than protecting the people they are meant to represent our governments have sided with the exploiters. Free trade - neo liberalism - corporate globalisation - economic rationalism - are all cloaks for greed. Humanitarian concerns about exploitation of Third World workers and the environment have become muted as our Governments' aid and abet the transfer of production to cheap labour economies. They are not just exporting jobs. This is neo-slavery. We keep the slaves out of sight our of mind but without them corporate globalisation would implode. We must also accept our personal share of responsibility because we buy what they make. As consumers we can try to trade fairly and buy locally. As savers we can endeavour to invest ethically. But my message is to us as citizens. Because we live in a society not just a market place. At the very least we want one person one vote, one value; not just $1: one vote. So how do we, The People, renew democracy? How do we let ourselves in, instead of being left out? I was invited to speak to the Conference about how we won our campaign for electoral reform. I regard a fairer electoral system as a foundation issue. Ending the two party gerrymander in your House of Representatives will not automatically deliver sustainable, just and peaceful world, but it will make a real difference. The advent of a multi-party parliament in New Zealand with a strong Green presence has blunted some of the worst excesses of bad policies and achieved a number of positive changes. It has certainly given many people a voice on the inside for the first time. I am pleased the Conference resolution now includes the need to investigate electoral reform and for there to be a referendum on change. It's time for Australians to tackle the democracy deficit, for people to demand a fair go. The Howard Government won only 43% of the primary vote but has 100% of the power. It's time to take that power away, not just at the next election, but forever, by ending illegitimate minority Governments. It's time for people to claim parliament for everyone and replace your second class preferential voting system for the House of Representatives with a first class proportional one. Last, but not least, it is time to get active in political parties that stand for what you believe. That's a just Australia, a peaceful world and a sustainable planet.
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