24th February 2000
COUNTRY PARTY QUEENSLAND:
Following a few weeks of talks with Jeff Knuth and the Country Party members, we are now delighted to announce that Jeff is now back with us - (Not that he ever REALLY left). I am presently having e-mail discussions with Les Ward from the CPQ executive and we will meet shortly to formalise the arrangements. It's great to see Jeff, and his members comprising three branches back on board.
OTHER GROUPS:
We have an "open door" policy, which has resulted in a lot of dialogue with a whole range of independents, small parties, and like minded groups. These discussions have been very positive and are ongoing.
INTERSTATE:
As you would all know, we have always intended CCAQ to be State based and totally autonomous, with affiliations with other states and federally. To this end, we have not made any overtures interstate, and have, in fact, resisted requests to address groups' interstate. I have, however, had an absolute avalanche of calls, and considerable ongoing discussions, so I thought a summary would be of interest:
New South Wales:
Following strong representation and repeated invitations from John Karnau, Bill, Peter, and I travelled to Ballina where we addressed delegates from about 9 or 10 Northern Rivers and Western branches. We received exceptional hospitality from Bob Shaw, who hosted the meeting at his home, and were very well received by all those present. Recent news is that at least five branches are in the process of swinging over to form CCA - New South Wales with more to follow.
Victoria:
Victoria is more inclined to wait for a while longer, but there are quite a few people who have contacted us. They all have the same concerns and believe that, unless there are dramatic and immediate changes to the structure, there will be a major exodus, which would form CCA - Victoria.
South Australia:
I had a meeting with Peter Clifton last Monday. He was the founding President of a massive branch based in Gawler, South Australia, and was also on the South Australia Executive. He was sacked and the Gawler Branch folded. Since then, he has set up and registered with the Electoral Commission, a party called (I think), South Australian Council of Independents. They presently have twelve branches. Their aims and philosophies are identical with ours, and Peter has suggested further discussions with a view to forging an affiliation with them.
Western Australia:
A group in Western Australia have been in constant contact and requested a copy of our constitution. I sent a copy and a brief outline of our policies and aims and objectives. They are in total agreement and have started to prepare the paperwork to register CCA - Western Australia. They are very optimistic that they will have a large membership within a few months.
Again, I must stress, we have not undertaken a recruitment drive interstate. Similarly, although we have attended an awful lot of meetings here in Queensland, we have only ever done so on invitation. We have always left it to the people to make up their own minds.
Judging by the response, both in Queensland and interstate, you are going to be part of an organisation that could well be bigger than any other ever to challenge the "your turn - my turn" politics of Labor and the Coalition.
We are determined to win back our Nation, and working together, we can achieve that goal.
Best Wishes,
IAN PETERSEN
Executive Director (Interim)