Jennifer
Cluse ----- --------------
----
--
Qld
Democrats Candidate for Lilley
Email:
Jennifer.Cluse@qld.democrats.org.au
Phone: (m) 0428 284 012
Jennifer
Cluse realised late in life that democracy is fragile. She
believes this is especially evident in Australia since the
Howard Government took control of both houses of parliament.
"Any government having control of both houses of parliament
soon loses all perspective & balance."
"One
term of a government having control of the Senate shows
us how vital it is for the people to have an independent
representative there. When the Australian Democrats held
the balance of power, they kept a sensible balance of debate
in the upper house. On so many occasions over the years
the Democrats have sent back foolish, or misguided, or plain
stupid proposed legislation for reconsideration or rewriting."
"Most
minority parties have a fairly poor record of consistency,
of research, or of balance. They tend to be very narrowly
focused on their speciality, but their interest wanes beyond
those focus points. They are very often simply not in the
house when it is time to vote."
"Queenslanders
have to know they can return an independent Senator to the
State's house, the Senate, who will be a non-partisan voice
for Queenslanders in Canberra. When they vote for a Democrat
they get someone who will represent them honestly, with
commitment and with common sense."
Last
election the Qld result gave the Liberals control of the
Senate, and our democracy suffered. Jennifer is urging Queenslanders
not to let this happen again.
Jennifer
is standing to ensure that the people of Lilley are able
to vote for a Democrat so as to express their frustration
with the major party's approaches to politics and dissatisfaction
with their policies.
Issues
of particular concerns to Jennifer include:
-
the
erosion of personal liberties and the lack of any federally
legislated protection of rights;
-
changes
to the public service that has seen it made into an arm
of the government, rather than a provider of information
and assistance
-
the
cost of living - especially for low income earners and
families with children
-
the
cost and quality of higher education, and the worry that
for young people, acquiring a life long debt is the only
way to start a career
-
threats
to job security, especially for young people, related
to industrial relations changes
-
lack
of and neglect of infrastructure
-
the
government's emphasis on building an attack force, rather
than a defence force
-
budget
surpluses gained by miserly conduct - taxing big while
spending little - a lack of investment in services,
-
infrastructure
and our future
-
the
gutting of the ABC
