New Discussion Forum

This blog will soon be discontinued as there is now a Discussion Forum on the new LDP website.

There are currently draft policies on Tibet and Defence available for comment. Other subjects will be added in due course.

Policy on Tibet

The following draft policy has been approved for comment by members and supporters.

Policy on Taiwan

The National Executive has approved a draft policy on Taiwan. Members and supporters are invited to comment.

Defence Policy

The LDP National Executive has approved for public comment a draft policy on defence. It is intended to provide Australia with robust defence within the context of an emphasis on liberty and limited expenditure.  We think it’s pretty good but perhaps can still be improved. With that in mind, members and supporters are invited to offer comment.

LDP on GW

A light hearted look at the route to cap and tax measures that should be taken. From Carbon Sense.

The LDP does not have a policy on global warming and it would be rather silly to adopt one given that it is still being argued in the scientific community and both sides seem polarised to the degree where any sort of consensus is unlikely. Whenever the issue is raised on Thoughts on Freedom or elsewhere we seem to have the same protagonists making the same arguments, thus it is reasonable to assume that neither side will budge unless there is a massive cooling or warming in the near future in which one side will argue that they were right all along, and the other will argue that it is a short term trend and they were right all along.

It is necessary however to have policies on the likely imposition of punitive measures for carbon emissions.

Policy on gambling

Following is a draft policy on gambling, published for comment by members and supporters. Although it has been approved as a draft, it is subject to change prior to finalisation.

Media and Image.

The press release I mentioned over at “Thoughts on Freedom,” which was published in AFR’s “rear window” page, regrettably was spoiled somewhat by someone in that organization deciding to have a slap at Lisa Milat. They have been contacted by Peter Whelan and now know of our displeasure regarding their action. The press contains a number of good serious reporters; unfortunately I have met more intelligent hill-billys than some of the rest of them. Lisa’s candidacy brought out the worst in some of them.

 I sometimes wonder if, when some of them go back and look at the stuff that they have done in the past, they shake their heads and ask; “Did I really write that crap.” On the other hand, I doubt that those who write it have the intelligence to see anything wrong with it. The executive will not tolerate further smears on Lisa, we will not ignore them, and we will fight back. Lisa is a responsible and respectable member of the community and does not deserve this.

 While checking back on the controversy on the coverage of this I came across the post, “A Current Affair v Lisa Milat,” and looking through the comments it seems that we tend to get too tied down on minor details of fringe issues, to the point where we never seem to get the big picture across. At least half of the 124 comments seemed to be on the gay issue. Basically as long as they have equal protection under the law, and there is no state discrimination against them, gays are a non-issue.

LDP draft policy on motorcycles

This is a draft policy on motorcycles, posted for comment by members and supporters. It is subject to change in response to feedback here and elsewhere.

Draft Policy

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) believes those who choose to use motorcycles and scooters should not be discouraged by government policies.

The use of motorcycles and scooters is a matter of individual choice. So long as nobody else is likely to be involuntarily harmed by that choice, it is not appropriate for the government to interfere in it.

Motorcycles and scooters represent an economical, convenient and environmentally favourable means of transport that also places fewer demands on roads and other infrastructure.

The LDP will implement the following measures:

Gippsland By-Election

The LDP achieved 4.6% of the primary vote in the Gippsland by-election at the close of counting on 28 June. The final figure will vary a little as postal and absentee votes come in. Results can be monitored here.

That vote propels the LDP from “micro” to “minor” status on the Australian political landscape. The difference is significant, as the preferences of minor parties determine election outcomes.

National President of the LDP, Peter Whelan, in Gippsland working on the “Give Buckley a Chance” campaign,  is confident that the right foundation has been laid for the LDP membership drive in Victoria.

“This is a really great result” Whelan said, “and I would like to thank the people of Gippsland who put their faith in the LDP and Ben. I would also like to thank all our supporters who helped at one quarter of the polling stations across the electorate.”

Ben Buckley worked tirelessly from the start of this long campaign, addressing community forums from Yarrum, through Sale and Heyfield, to Omeo, as well as numerous TV, radio and press interviews.

The LDP’s low cost TV campaign on free-to-air and YouTube.com was well received as it did not engage in fear politics or denigrate the other candidates. It focused on low taxes and less government interference.

The party’s next priorities are to achieve state registration in Victoria and NSW, plus the ACT Legislative Assembly election later in the year. Details on the ACT campaign are here.

The Gippsland By-Election

The Liberty and Democracy Party (LDP) will be contesting the June 28th Gippsland by-election. The LDP’s candidate is well known Gippsland identity, Ben Buckley.

Describing how the LDP will appeal to Gippsland voters, Ben said, “The LDP stands for low taxes, small government and individual freedom. That’s also what I believe in, and I think a lot of Gippsland people do too.”