Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on September 7, 2011 at 11:01pm

Ruth,

Seems to me like Aidan McLindon's Queensland Party and Bob Katter's Australia Party are of like mind on the vast majority of issues. If so, why the opposition to a merger? If not, could you please explain where the 2 parties differed significantly for those of us on the outside?

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 8, 2011 at 7:13am

Hi Rory,

Yes thanks for the opportunity.

Firstly and most importantly, The Queensland Party is a state based party, which by its nature puts Queenslanders first.  Katter's Party is just another federal Party and will place federal issues ahead of Queenslanders.

Right now, look at what the Federal government is doing to Queenslanders - the carbon tax and the mineral resources rent tax are just not good for us.  At best, Anna can only signal, not scrutinise.  So State based branches of federal structures lose leverage, influence and power. 

Secondly, TQP has put forward the idea for sharing democratic power right through Queensland.  It looks like KAP has dropped the "People's House" policy.   61 of the 89 seats are located in South East Queensland.  Until we restore democratic power to regional Queensland, more bad laws like the Vegetation Management Act will be enacted to make Queenslanders lives miserable.  The VMA does not meet basic United Nations Convenant on Political and Civil Rights.  Federal based parties who have state based branches in Queensland have done nothing to protect Queensland farmers from these devastating laws, which don't protect native flora and fauna.  In fact the VMA does quite the opposite of what it claims. 

Thirdly, The Queensland Party is committed to democratic principles.  That is why the vote to merge was so important to the remaining members.  No vote means no voice, and the undemocratic actions of the Party members who have left show that they don't value the 'one vote, one value' democratic principle.  If members can't abide by the Party constitution, you can be sure they will disregard the State constitution. 

 

Fourthly, Katter Party members have shown that they are prepared to allow TQP members to pose as TQP officials whilst acting for the Australian Party, allow private information to be taken from TQP and handed to Katter's Party and allow a TQP branding to be used to directly funnel membership and enquiry to away from TQP. 

 

The Queensland Party practice what they preach.  I am sceptical of claims that Katter's Party makes about Principles.  From what I have seen from my own eyes, Katter's Party website says one thing, while members do quite another. 

 

I know from experience that TQP members and executive have their say, speak openly and candidly and protect the right of individuals within the Party to take a position based on conscience. 

 

All of these differences are important to me, and I do practice what I preach.  I am the Secretary of a large body corporate and I am lucky enough to serve under a Chairman who does not mind that Committee members say exactly what they think on any issue.  I also served on the Executive of the Brisbane Association for Rates Equity, where the Executive members ran the same way - all executive members had their say, and then we all accepted without rancor the majority vote.

I have been part of organisations which practice true democratic principles, and I hope to bring those principles to the seat of Brisbane Central and the State of Queensland.

It is so hard to gain a voice, to retain freedom.  It is dead set easy to allow others to strip those freedoms away.  Holding true to the Constitution of our Party is a good way to protect small democracy, and an excellent start to restoring larger circles of democracy.

Thanks

-Ruth

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 8, 2011 at 7:30am

Hi Tony,

Ah. Thanks.  I am very wary of building political parties around personalities.  Parties last longer on Principles.  Principle is the slow starting low octane long lasting slow burn of freedom.  Personality is the quick noisy burning fireworks which starts big, and ends up in alot of smoke, noise and smell.

I hope that the more people who support TQP, and democratic principles, the more certain the outcome of the election will be.

The hung parliament we have in Canberra is due to a weak PM, and two or three members who have truly turned their back on their electorates.

 

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 8, 2011 at 7:45am

Hi Beverley,

I agree. It is one thing to be a rock thrower, being anti this and anti that.  It is quite another to be parked firmly in the blame chair and show commitment to democratic principles which have fueled freedom, economic growth and self reliance.

That is why individual voices are so very important to the process.

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 8, 2011 at 8:12am

Hi, Beverley,

I had more to say but it took me too long to type an edit to the post above. 

It is difficult to split the two major parties on ideology.  Both major parties have stood shoulder to shoulder against Queenslanders.   Both Parties are pro-privatisation.   Both Parties have stood with the Coal Seam Gas companies without trying to stop it, brake it or steer it.  Both the ALP and the LNP have shown that they don't support open and transparent government.  Both conspired to allow Newman to build an impenetrable Brisbane City Council.   Both Parties have shown financial mismanagement.  Newman made cost of living in Brisbane Central higher, not lower and his legacy is one of debt and secrecy.  Queenslanders need to be prepared for his 'pick and pay' strategy if he takes the top job.  All I am saying is look at his record at BCC.  Politicians should stand on their record.  I stand on mine.

 

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 8, 2011 at 8:15am

Oh, boy.  Yes it is true that Aidan has changed Parties four times.  LNP-Independent-TQP-KAP.  Actions do speak louder than words.

Tony Mack said:

And the rock throwing commences!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-08/mp-tags-new-party-katter-stro...

 

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 8, 2011 at 8:41am

Hi Beverley,

I have had dealings with Wendy through this whole debacle and she is steady, respectful and candid in her disposition.  I will let Wendy speak for herself!

 

Permalink Reply by Rory Donnellan on September 8, 2011 at 11:41pm

Ruth,

I'm not so sure about your assertion that Katter and McLindon will put federal issues ahead of Queenslanders. Do you really believe that Katter will give federal issues preference over his beloved North Queensland? If so, he may not be as crazy as the media would have us believe. Both of them are staunchly opposed to the carbon tax fraud from everything I've read. Would they not also fully agree with your comments on the vegetation management act? Aidan McLindon has shown some courage in the Coal Seam Gas debacle, which even Tony Abbott won't touch for fear of upsetting major mining interests despite the detriment to farmers.

Ruth Bonnett said:

Hi Rory,

Yes thanks for the opportunity.

Firstly and most importantly, The Queensland Party is a state based party, which by its nature puts Queenslanders first.  Katter's Party is just another federal Party and will place federal issues ahead of Queenslanders.

Right now, look at what the Federal government is doing to Queenslanders - the carbon tax and the mineral resources rent tax are just not good for us.  At best, Anna can only signal, not scrutinise.  So State based branches of federal structures lose leverage, influence and power. 

Secondly, TQP has put forward the idea for sharing democratic power right through Queensland.  It looks like KAP has dropped the "People's House" policy.   61 of the 89 seats are located in South East Queensland.  Until we restore democratic power to regional Queensland, more bad laws like the Vegetation Management Act will be enacted to make Queenslanders lives miserable.  The VMA does not meet basic United Nations Convenant on Political and Civil Rights.  Federal based parties who have state based branches in Queensland have done nothing to protect Queensland farmers from these devastating laws, which don't protect native flora and fauna.  In fact the VMA does quite the opposite of what it claims. 

Thirdly, The Queensland Party is committed to democratic principles.  That is why the vote to merge was so important to the remaining members.  No vote means no voice, and the undemocratic actions of the Party members who have left show that they don't value the 'one vote, one value' democratic principle.  If members can't abide by the Party constitution, you can be sure they will disregard the State constitution. 

 

Fourthly, Katter Party members have shown that they are prepared to allow TQP members to pose as TQP officials whilst acting for the Australian Party, allow private information to be taken from TQP and handed to Katter's Party and allow a TQP branding to be used to directly funnel membership and enquiry to away from TQP. 

 

The Queensland Party practice what they preach.  I am sceptical of claims that Katter's Party makes about Principles.  From what I have seen from my own eyes, Katter's Party website says one thing, while members do quite another. 

 

I know from experience that TQP members and executive have their say, speak openly and candidly and protect the right of individuals within the Party to take a position based on conscience. 

 

All of these differences are important to me, and I do practice what I preach.  I am the Secretary of a large body corporate and I am lucky enough to serve under a Chairman who does not mind that Committee members say exactly what they think on any issue.  I also served on the Executive of the Brisbane Association for Rates Equity, where the Executive members ran the same way - all executive members had their say, and then we all accepted without rancor the majority vote.

I have been part of organisations which practice true democratic principles, and I hope to bring those principles to the seat of Brisbane Central and the State of Queensland.

It is so hard to gain a voice, to retain freedom.  It is dead set easy to allow others to strip those freedoms away.  Holding true to the Constitution of our Party is a good way to protect small democracy, and an excellent start to restoring larger circles of democracy.

Thanks

-Ruth

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 9, 2011 at 6:29am

Hi Rory,

Political Parties, like any organisation, are hierarchical in structure.  With a Federal based Party, Federal issues are always likely to trump State issues.   Deals can be done at Federal level, and some of these deals may not be in the interest of Queenslanders.

The Constitution of TQP clearly states the commitment to Queenslanders, in the first pages of the document.

FOREWORD:
In 1901 the Founding Fathers of our nation devised a Federal Constitution that incorporated a theoretical system of checks and balances. These were intended to protect against the potential for the abuse of power by the Commonwealth. Firstly federal power was to be subjected to the scrutiny and veto of a state orientated Senate free of party ties. Secondly, the Commonwealth’s powers were to be limited in scope and balanced by the powers of state parliaments. Queensland signed up to the new Federation in the belief that its interests would be protected through these constitutional safeguards.
In practice however, power has been systematically taken from the states and concentrated in the hands of international entities, the Federal Government and the two major federally based parties that dominate it. The imbalance is reflected in the power commanded by the federal organisations of the two major parties over their respective state divisions. The smaller less powerful party divisions, such as Queensland, also face competing demands from their more powerful and influential counterparts in the other states.
The price for achieving intra-party unity is often at the cost of the interests of Queenslanders and their ability to govern in their own right. The problem is most apparent in the Senate. The Senate is supposed to be the States’ House. Yet today, most senators vote as members of Canberra-based political parties rather than as representatives of their respective states. Loyalty is to a party room that rewards the faithful while penalising dissent. Queensland senators are expected to do what their party demands of them as opposed to standing up for the best interests of their state and its people.
If responsible and accountable government is to be resurrected the first priority should be to elect a permanent Queensland based political party that is focussed on getting the best deal for Queenslanders. This is what the Queensland Party sets out to achieve. The Queensland Party will work towards securing seats in the Queensland Parliament and the Federal Parliament.
Elected representatives of the Queensland Party shall put the interests of Queensland and Queenslanders first. Unlike their counterparts in the Coalition or Labor Parties, they will not be duty bound or beholden to Canberra-based political masters. Free from such limitations they will be better able to represent the real interests of Queenslanders.

TQP and KAP will likely have policy alignment over a range of issues.  The simple fact is that TQP puts Queenslanders first.  Queensland is a unique state.

 

But policy means naught without principle.

 

KAP has shown that they are willing to sit by whilst its new members disregard provisions in the TQP constitution to further their political aims: hardly a good start for a Party who wants to earn the voters trust.

 

I think actions speak louder than words, and every politician should stand on their record.

 

Each electorate will offer up choices, and your vote is just as important as mine.

 

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 9, 2011 at 7:25am

Greg,

I will be doing my bit to see that TQP members funds are protected from any possible misuse.  Any transactions not previously approved by the Executive will of course be scrutinised, and any  monies owed by defecting TQP candidates is expected to be refunded.

Permalink Reply by Ruth Bonnett on September 9, 2011 at 8:38am

It would be a foolhardy move for any defecting TQP member to have approved any transaction to pay for unapproved expenditure.    

Permalink Reply by Wayne Robert Smith on September 9, 2011 at 9:39am

To give them credit the LNP did try to push through legislation preventing the issuing of further permits for CSG but Campbell must have known they wouldn't have the numbers to succeed. Yet on the whole it is rather difficult to see much difference between them and labor.

 

Rory asks an interesting question. I was initially thrilled at the prospect of TQP joining Katters unnamed mob but after looking over his policies noticed he is getting bogged down with minor issues and acting rather like a dictator. Him and Aidan deserve one another. What appeals to me about TQP is that it actually welcomes member participation and involvement. Other parties just want your membership fee and after that they ignore you. TQP has said they want members have a say on issues and candidates which sounds very democratic and open to me.

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