23rd April 1998
Bronwyn Boag, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate for Caloundra welcomes One Nation policy on Community Based Referendums
“I am pleased to welcome this policy for the direct democratic involvement of the Australian people. The policy is called Community Based Referendum and will be taken at the polls as an issue at the next state and federal election.
Community Based Referendum is an important policy that simply says you have faith in the good sense and fairminded attitude of Australians. It will give ordinary people the opportunity to directly address the issues of real concern which are all too often swept under the carpet following each election.
Community Based Referendum will grant to people the right and ability to initiate legislation directly. It will not hinder our Westminster system of representative government, rather, it will enhance our system of democracy by ensuring real issues are debated and addressed.
By putting forward this policy, One Nation is making it clear we believe in not only upholding the right but the need for ordinary Australians to effectively raise debate on issues of concern and have the mechanism to democratically pursue those issues to produce an outcome of legislative change.
It is only Pauline Hanson’s One Nation that has faith in the Australian people and acknowledges the need for direct involvement in the process of democracy. The facility for ordinary Australians to initiate debate on important issues has long been ignored by other parties who see themselves as above the people and see policies such as Community Based Referendum as a threat to their power.
Unlike the Liberals, Nationals and Labor we believe that with the power comes the responsibility of being inclusive not exclusive and that proper and successful government is all a matter of consultation with, and input from, the people. It is estimated that CBR held in conjunction with a state election will cost just Au$50,000.
It is only Pauline Hanson’s One Nation that embraces community involvement in decision making and the absolute necessity for Australians to become directly involved in their country’s direction. Rather than fearing the Australian people, we draw on their strength and intelligence to guide the development of our policies and our efforts to reclaim our country.
Pauline Hanson said, “Parliaments have failed to listen to the Australian people. This is the first policy that gives a voice to ordinary Australians. Any who oppose it have no real belief in democracy and are saying that they do not trust the judgement and common sense of the Australian people. Politicians must be made to understand they are elected as servants of the people, not their masters”.