Republic Now! Membership application
There are many problems of governance in Australia. Regrettably, the platforms of the major parties indicate that they are not inclined to system change. We believe that the people need to become very much more involved in the reform process. Just recently, the Sydney Morning Herald has started a public campaign to have a recall provision of a government introduced in the NSW Constitution (SMH 11.12.09). This move has grown out of widespread dissatisfaction with the NSW ALP Government over a period of time. The SMH proposal to introduce the direct democracy device of "Recall" has merit. However, as a way to overcome the problems of this state it has its limitations. These problems have in fact two principal causes. First, the huge federal - state revenue imbalance and the declining usefulness of state governments altogether. Secondly, the single-member district electoral system, which results in sterile two-party parliaments and much factional strife within these parties. These causes require quite different remedies: replacing federation and introducing proportional representation. Still it would be great progress if the people would gain the power to initiate mandatory referendums, by say a petition of 1% of registered voters, not just to recall a government but for all constitutional issues, state and federal. A successful public campaign may produce such a change and set the tone for similar campaigns in other states and nationally. At the national level an addition to Section 128 (the constitutional amendment procedure), making provision for a Citizen Initiated Referendum, would open up possibilities for the people to have a real impact leading the way to the kind of changes that Republic Now! is advocating.
We therefore encourage you to join our movement. There comes a time when the people say "enough is enough". That time has arrived in NSW but it is not far off elsewhere in the nation. A sovereign people surely has the right to put its house in order if things are not marching well. If we claim to be a democracy we need to ensure that the people can intervene, and even rewrite their constitution if that becomes necessary.
The membership contribution is $10. This will provide for 10 years membership at $1.00 per annum. The contribution will initially be used only for website expenses. We prefer not to use advertisements as it would detract from our objectives.
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Membership joining fee: $10 DONATIONS ARE WELCOME!
Cheques payable to "Republic Now!" or electronically: NAB 082 936: 16032 5656
National contact: Klaas Woldring, 6 Tourmaline Avenue, Pearl Beach, 2256 Ph 02 4341 5170.
Email: woldring@zipworld.com.au. Others contacts to follow.
Republic Now! is not connected with any political party but welcomes registered and non-registered parties, Independent MPs and Independent candidates to adopt its limited platform as stated above.
