Vote 1 Jane Ward

A True Community Independent for Sydney

Voting Day : Saturday, 21st August 2010

A passion for social justice

If elected to the Federal Seat of Sydney on 21st August 2010, I will be a strong voice for local communities and for truth, transparency and accountability in government. I will not be gagged by party machines. I will use parliamentary privilege and legislative initiatives to challenge corruption and child abuse.

My focus across the board will be for social justice and equity, particularly for Kooris, sole parents, gay men and women, people with disabilities and the mentally ill.

Currently I see a need for an outspoken supporter of the rights of same-sex couples to full equality in civil marriage, de-facto and divorce law. This is a human rights issue and a separation of church and state issue.

In the federal election of 2004 I stood as an Independent for the seat of Sydney, incensed at the Labor/Liberal collusion to insert into the Marriage Act a definition of marriage as "a union between a man and a woman." Now entrenched, this definition will be very hard to remove. Tania Plibersek, our sitting Labor member who publicly espouses support for homosexuals, "abstained" from the vote. Caucus pressures and preference deals must not prevail over gay and lesbian rights.

Other pressing human rights issues are the humane treatment of refugees, Aboriginal reconciliation, Child Protection, and a National Disabilities Fund.

My social priorities include advocacy for seniors, self-funded retirees, small business owners, students, artists and the unemployed.

I have a strong commitment to fairness and real choice in industrial relations, Welfare To Work, affordable housing, and the maintenance of Community and Public Housing.

Child support payments should be re-calculated with an increased component to the primary carer.

I also support a Bill of Rights and the extension of anti-vilification law to the gay and lesbian community and to single parents.