New Matilda's series on the minor parties vying for upper house votes continues. Today, here's what the Smokers' Rights Party and Dr Philip Nitschke's Voluntary Euthanasia Party have to say about their positions.
The Smokers' Rights Party stands against the victimisation of smokers with excessive taxation well exceeding public health costs, and against organised crime. We also believe private property owners, such as pubs and clubs, should have the right to determine their own smoking policies, whether that to be retain the ban or allow smoking.
Excise taxes far exceed health care costs by at least 15 times according to the government's own figures. This is the victimisation of smokers. Excessive tobacco excise also results in an ever increasing windfall to organised crime. The more money in organised crime, the more violence, and that is being played out in our suburbs and is only increasing. The ever-increasing nanny state is opposed by neither of the major parties, nor the Greens. With the current major parties and the Greens, once a nanny state policy is implemented there is no chance of it being repealed.
Regarding preferences, we generally go to the majors and Greens quite low, as they have been the main drivers of the nanny (and increasingly bully) state, particularly relating to tobacco. We've placed minors which have shown opposition to excesses to the bully state higher in our preference orders.
Note: the Smokers' Rights Party does not have broad policy on a number of issues. The major parties receive over $40 million in taxpayer public funding and have access to treasury costings. We get none of this and the party is organised by working people in their spare time. It is not practical for the party to have full detailed policy on all issues as we haven't the resources to do so. We've done our best to give answers based on the views of the organisers of the party.
Budget surplus The Smokers' Rights Party thinks government should run balanced budgets. Governments should be honest with their citizens and increase taxes when they wish to increase spending, instead of burdening future generations.
Carbon pricing The Smokers' Rights Party doesn't deny the existence of human caused climate change, but believes there is still disagreement over its extent and is concerned that the cost of action and effects of action may be greater than the costs of adaptation. We do not think a carbon tax is currently necessary, but would prefer it over a direct action model. We oppose industry subsidies, including green subsidies, and hence any direct action.
If a carbon tax must be implemented, it should only be done with the removal of green subsidies, which would no longer be needed due to the market pressures of the carbon tax. The savings from the removal of green subsidies, and any revenue from the tax should be granted back in income tax cuts, particularly increasing the tax free threshold.
Asylum seekers/border security The Smokers' Rights Party would support a paid migration system, where potential immigrants can fast track the process by paying a significant amount to the government (perhaps $20,000 or so). This should be priced at a level to provide significant revenue but also undercut people smugglers. New immigrants under this system will not be able to collect welfare for a number of years, and will not be given citizenship. We believe such a system would undercut the people smugglers business model, as people would prefer to pay the Australian Government for safe passage rather than risk their lives on a boat.
Schools funding The Smokers' Rights Party believes schools funding, both public and private is not an issue for the Commonwealth government. It is a waste duplicating bureaucracy on a state/Commonwealth level, and state bureaucracies already have much local knowledge which is important for managing schools. It is a waste to attempt to duplicate that knowledge on a Commonwealth level.
Civil liberties The Smokers' Rights Party is a strong supporter of civil liberties, and opposes the government victimising people, whether that be smokers or otherwise. We believe people should be able to live their life how they choose, and adults should be able to form consenting relationships with other adults of whatever form that may be, whether that be marriage, or a club's members smoking together in an indoor environment. We reject the idea that governments should forbid activities between consenting adults because it sees them as "dangerous". We think that equally applies to same sex marriage or choices of diet or smoking. We also strongly support our system of property rights and due process of law that has been the foundation of our society.
Private health insurance rebate The Smokers' Rights Party does not have a particular policy on the private health insurance rebate, but we would more generally like to make it easier for people to "opt-out" of the public health system by purchasing suitable private cover, and receive a significant tax refund based on most of the cost alleviated from the public system. We would support a move to a HECS based system for public healthcare (for adults only) so that those who receive public healthcare and go on to earn above average incomes contribute back to the system. As consistent with our other policies, we believe most people should be allowed to be responsible for themselves and their families, but with a safety net for those who need it.
The Voluntary Euthanasia Party stands for the removal of discriminatory Federal legislation that prevents the Territories of Australia from legislation on this issue of voluntary euthanasia, and an examination of Federal strategies for national introduction of voluntary euthanasia legislation and support for consistent State initiatives.
We believe in the need for federal uniform end of life legislation that includes the option of voluntary euthanasia, and an increase to the pension rather than non-means-tested parental leave schemes. We are concerned about the impact of falling interest rates on self funded retirees.
Our party's preferences flow through a number of minor parties who support our policy of introducing legislation on voluntary euthanasia. They will eventually lead to Green Party candidates, Sarah Hanson-Young in SA, Cate Faehrmann in NSW and Simon Sheikh in the ACT.
We determined our preference flow by asking parties (and candidates) their position on the issue of voluntary euthanasia legislation. Some parties had supportive policies in place, some were prepared to sign our pledge of support for this action, and the preference flow was determined on this basis.
Budget surplus An unnecessary preoccupation of both major parties that makes little economic sense in the current financial climate.
Carbon pricing Essential initiative for the well being of future generations.
Asylum seekers/border security An international issue which requires a sensitive and compassionate approach.
Schools funding Pressing need to restore equity in school funding and remove the disparity between private and public education.
Civil liberties An issue increasingly overlooked by major parties and essential for the maintenance of a just society.
Private health insurance rebate Equitable health insurance should be available to all Australians. A rebate that perpetuates a two tier health insurance system can not be justified.