Thread by @AustDems

Hey @PhillipCoorey we are not defunct. We're running 12 candidates in this election.

Let's look at this lazy attempt to equate the most recent grassroots political movement with the original trailblazers.
#auspol #ThisIsNotJournalism

https://twitter.com/PhillipCoorey/status/1517270392225910785

We have the same Parliamentary status as the independents - ie none of us are in Parliament now, but we're all looking to enter Parliament and serve our communities (or re-enter, in our case).

One group is framed as a "new force" and the other "defunct". RUDE, Phil. Just RUDE.

"I wonder whether the ordinary voter is not becoming sick and tired of vested interests which unduly influence present political parties and yearn for the emergence of a third political force...which would owe allegiance to no outside pressure group."
Don Chipp, 1977.

"Teal candidates appeal to people with a job, a social and environmental conscience and an appreciation of capitalism, as did the Democrats."

You spelled "compassionate, evidence based governance" wrong, Phil.

Also, what does having a job have to do with it?

Students, retirees, carers and people not currently in work apparently don't care about accountability or integrity in politics, or about the environment?

Like the independents we have a diverse range of supporters, united in being critical thinkers, not their employment status.

As you noted in your article, we were formed to "keep the bastards honest". The last decade of politics has shown what #auspol has become without the Democrats in Parliament.

We can welcome a new focus on accountability from others without handing our legacy over to them.

Equating all the independents as "teal candidates" like they're a, I dunno, political party, rather than a group of unique candidates who have been selected by their communities to address their communities' specific concerns, is lazy at best, #ThisisNotJournalism at worst.

Also, well done on erasing all of the community independents who didn't take funding from Climate 200, but who are running for their communities just the same.

If the Coalition are being pushed hard on climate change and accountability, that says more about their vandalism of parliamentary standards and Australia's standing as a global citizen on climate change than it does about anyone else.

We wish the independents well in their quest to hold certain MPs accountable for their voting records on climate and accountability.

We have always been a party of the Senate - where the true power of the Parliament lies and the real work of the Parliament is done.

Voting for an independent in the lower house? Vote for us in the Senate, and ensure accountability and integrity in both houses of Parliament.

#BringBackAccountability #BringBackIntegrity #BringBackTheAustralianDemocrats

And because we're an evidence based party, here's proof:
@docbaty at the candidate declaration and ballot draw for the NSW Senate:

https://twitter.com/docbaty/status/1517316609207021569?s=20&t=3wBUzu3tgN2q31X8DD8XkA

Also @DrRogerYazbek representing us in SA:

https://twitter.com/DrRogerYazbek/status/1517327108233924608?s=20&t=3wBUzu3tgN2q31X8DD8XkA

Importantly, we do not receive funding from taxpayers, corporate donors, or even groups like Climate 200, we are funded ENTIRELY by our members and supporters.

If you want to help our campaign and can toss a coin our way we'd be most appreciative.

democrats.org.au/donate/

An update! If former Senator Lyn Allison rang me with a please explain I too would hasten to correct my error 😬

https://twitter.com/AustDems/status/1517405919206047744?s=20&t=QJZbZI4w_4Ae7iiBuYqXRw