The Independent Australian
A GUIDE TO VOTING FOR LOW IMMIGRATION
This article is intended to help you make a vote for low immigration at the next election. It will appear on the home page and will be amended from time to time as party policies change. There is a precis of each party policy on immigration and a link so you can find out more about the party; maybe you will join or support. Corrections welcome. editor@theindependentaustralin.com.au
FIRMLY AGAINST HIGH IMMIGRATION
(alphabetical order)
Australian Democrats
Against current high rates of immigration. Call for development of a long-term population strategy that determines immigration rates based on protection of the uniqueness of our land, recognition of its fragility and the need to sustain biodiversity.
Australia First
Policies specifically include:
• Reduce and Limit Immigration.
• Abolish Multiculturalism.
Registered in NSW as a political party. Has been granted Federal registration, under name Australia First Party (NSW) Inc. Strong nationalistic flavour.
ausfirst.alphalink.com.au/
Australian Protectionist Party
The primary policies of the Party are to:
Protect our environment, families, freedoms, jobs and industries, people, rural communities and our way of life. Nothing on immigration or multiculturalism, but as they impact on most of the above, the party has a strong anti-immigration stance.
Achieved the 500 members necessary for Federal registration in February. Not registered yet.
One Nation
Long established, reborn. Policies include:
Restrict immigration.
Abolish multicultural policy.
Media releases are generally against high immigration and multiculturalism. Registered federally
http://www.nswonenation.com.au/
Stable Population Party
The key objectives of SPP are as follows:
To stabilise Australia’s population at around 23 million until 2050.
To provide leadership and support to other countries experiencing rapid population growth, so as to help them stabilise their populations, and thus help stabilise global population.
Very new, claims registration procedures held up because government called early election tso that they could not appear on ballot paper as a party., sodoes not appear on AEC web site. Distances itself from nationalistic tendencies of some parties. Includes high profile members like Dick Smith and Bob Carr.
http://www.populationparty.com/
AMBIVALENT ATTITUDE
Democratic Labor Party
Appears to be no policy or comment on immigration/multiculturalism.
Greens
Immigrants are of great benefit and every support given to them. Multiculturalism strongly endorsed.
Surprisingly nothing in policy about the link between immigration and loss of habitat. Very low key occasional comment on concern about enviromental impact.
greens.org.au
Senator On-Line
New, registered, operates purely on-line. Elected senators would vote on any bill according to on-line voting by members of the public who registered.
PRO IMMIGRATION
Citzens Electoral Council
Strongly in favour of high immigration.
Family First
Believes migrants and refugees have made a positive and enriching contribution to the Australia’s development and will continue to have a positive impact on our society’s growth.
Liberal Democrtaic
The LDP is in favour of free movement of people, but not of free citizenship, which would be sold to prospective immigrants. (Provisional visas are already handed out to prospective immigrants if they pay their educational fees here.)
THE MAJOR PARTIES
The written policies of the major parties are not relevant. Recent pronouncements and actions are relevant.
Kevin Rudd stated that he believed in a ‘Big Australia’. Following on some public dissent he appointed an Immigration Minister for Population. A typical dodge to put the issue out beyond the next election. The overall size of the provisional visa migration intake program was unchanged in 2010/11 with a total of 168 700 places.
Julia Gillard has now urged against a 'Big Australia’, saying people need to ‘stop, take a breath and develop policies’ for a sustainable nation. Tony Burke now Minister for Sustainable Population. Has appointed three panels to advice. Another stalling device.
The Opposition called for a lower intake, nominating 170,000, during the campaign.
So vote 1 for any of the first five parties if they present a candidate as a protest. Put 2 against whichever major party declares for lowest immigration during the campaign, as that is where your vote will really count.
