Previous Campaigns
Magill Training Centre
Strong Community, Healthy State Campaign
National Foundation of Australian Women release report
Access Cards - No Way
Wandering Star wanders no more
YACSA Election Toolkit 2007
Magill Training Centre
The Magill Training Centre page outlines the successful campaign waged by YACSA and othe groups to force the State Government to provide better facilities for junenile offenders.
Strong Community, Healthy State Campaign
Save Our Sector
The South Australian Community Services Sector is running the Strong Community, Healthy State Campaign
We all need to work together to ensure that the sector is viable both in the short and long terms. This October, we are asking as many YACSA members as possible to sign and post a letter committing to its principles. These include:
- a belief that building social inclusion must be a priority for the South Australian and Australian governments;
- a belief that urgent workforce development issues threaten the South Australian community sector’s capacity to continue to deliver quality services to the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community;
- that the development of a sustainable workforce is integral to building social inclusion.
We are advocating for an increase in government funding to the sector so that we can improve the working conditions of employees. This will help to enable the sector to ensure that service levels are maintained and improved.
Because A Strong Community = A Healthy State!
For more information please visit www.sacoss.org.au/strongcommunity
National Foundation of Australian Women release report
The National Foundation of Australian Women released a report in 2007 into the impact of WorkChoices on Australian working women entitled 'It's Official: Women get a raw deal from WorkChoices'.
The report identifies a number of recommendations in order for WorkChoices legislation to improve equity, access and employment conditions for working women, and highlights that Work Choices legislation is worse for young women, and those living in regional and country areas.
The report is available here ( 960Kb)
Access Cards – NO WAY!
The federal government had plans to replace Medicare cards with access cards by 2010, which would replace all government health and social services cards that already exist. This new Access Card was to be only be available to those over the age of 18. Those under the age of 18, would have been required to write to the Minister of Human Services or the Secretary of the Department to ask for an exemption under the Act. This would have meant that those aged 16-18 would no longer be able to get a Medicare Card as a matter of course, adding another layer of red tape to young people who want to independently access health services.
YACSA made a submission to a number of Federal MP's using a letter which is here.
Wandering Star No More
The Youth Affairs Council of SA (YACSA) is concerned that the discontinuation of the Wandering Star bus service, and its replacement with late night bus services, will have a huge impact on young people, particularly young people who live some distance from the city. Already a number of affected young people have contacted YACSA to voice their opinion and if this change affects you please contact yacsa@yacsa.com.au. (See YACSA’s media release here for more information.)
Below is an edited selection of comments that have been provided to YACSA on the discontinuation of the Wandering Star service. All comments have been listed with their author’s consent.
A selection of comments on the discontinuation of the Wandering Star bus service
If this change affects you please contact yacsa@yacsa.com.au
I too am disappointed at the discontinuation of the Wandering Star services, the government and in particular the Motor Accident Commission and the Office of Public Transport (OPT) were on a winner with the service, but it appears that they had no choice as the Taxi Council was kicking up a fuss and claiming that the OPT were being biased towards Buses and that taxi drivers were losing out on fares due to this service. The Taxi Council seems to have pinged the OPT on a technicality in the fact that bus routes are meant to be ‘fixed route services’ and that the contracts only allow for buses to leave a set route in the North East and Southern ‘roam zones’. Maybe the public of Adelaide should fight to have these services re-instated due to the fact that although the Wandering Star was a breach of contract arrangements isn’t it also in the taxi accreditation scheme a requirement to provide a safe mode of transport??
Sure, the Office of Public Transport is not allowed to have a bias towards any mode of transport within this state, but surely it should put the overall safety of the travelling public before that of a bunch of crying taxi drivers.
Shane
I just wanted to express my dissatisfaction with the announcement that the "Wandering Star" bus service has been cancelled. This was a truly valuable service for the Adelaide community, but especially young people.
I myself live on the 506 bus route, halfway between Paradise and Tea Tree Plaza Interchanges, and within one of the Wandering star drop-off zones.I used to catch the Wandering Star home from town after spending a day at University, or shopping/dining in the city, and then frequenting a bar, pub or club in the evening. But from now on, now that the Wandering Star service no longer exists, this wont be possible. The closest bus stop to me after midnight on a Saturday will be at an hour's walking distance. This is not to mention that on Friday nights it will be impossible to catch a bus from the city - the replacement "After Midnight" services will not run on Friday nights after March. This is unfathomable! I cannot think of any major cities of Adelaide's size that have no night services to the suburbs, especially on a weekend. Adelaide's transport system at the best of times is mediocre, but now, the new late night services provide scarce coverage of the suburbs from the city. This stands out to me as a strong disincentive for people both to use public transport, and to travel into the city centre.
Furthermore, its seems another example of the marginalisation of the young people, and in many cases, people of lower socio-economic status who cannot afford to live in the affluent inner city suburbs or take taxis at will (which of course far more for the aforementioned areas of Adelaide, for people who can least afford it). I am lucky enough to not have such stringent financial burdens and have a car to enable me to drive wherever i need to go. But, nonetheless, i was a frequent patron of the Wandering Star (and its predecessor), and found it to be a valuable service that enabled people to commute freely, safely and economically from the city to their homes. I do question the priorities of the government. The dichotomy of their policies is dumb-founding. They say they want to keep the city centre vibrant, yet they cancel this service which provides equitable access to the city for a lot of people (especially young people) in the suburbs. They say they are strong on public safety, yet they eliminate a service which provides a safe alternative for people who do not want to drive at night or catch a taxi (the latter option not so safe an option in itself in recent times). They say they are contributing to environmental wellbeing of the state, yet force people in many areas to have to drive into the city instead of catching public transport. Lastly, the government claims to have a plan to rejuvenate the public transport system in Adelaide, yet gets rid of one of the most valuable forms of public transport, and goes ahead with one of the most unnecessary forms, the tramline extension that leads to nowhere.
I am strongly opposed to the decision, and cannot understand the reasons for its cancellation. I would strongly recommend to all concerned parties that it be reinstated as soon as possible, as the replacement services are far less than adequate.
Sincerely
Andrew
I have only just moved to S.A. and i have found that the 'wondering star' to be a wonderful service to the public. As a 21yr old who does not drive it saddens me to know that I now have no way of getting home at night... I live out Noarlunga way and there are not a lot of busses or trains that come this way at night. So if I went out... I would go from club to pub one after another un till that one close and then move on to the next.... by 5.30am nearly every place is shut... the next train or bus does not start till 7am...
yours,
bj
In 2005 and 2006 I coordinated an Alcohol Awareness program with young people aged 18-25. As part of the program I used to promote the wandering star service to young participants. Many, if not all of them were unaware of the service and excited at the possibility of utilising it for safety and cost reasons when they had been drinking.
It is very disappointing to hear it has been stopped. I would like to show my support to continue the service.
Regards
Dan
I fully support YACSA's stance re the Adelaide Hill's night buses!!
David
The sudden removal of the Wandering Star bus is definitely going to cause problems for myself (23 y.o. female), my sister (20 y.o. female) and my brother (18 y.o. male). We live in Seaton and the nearest drop off point for our closest new "After Midnight" service, the N137 bus, is still a 30 minute walk from our home. I have preferred to catch the Wandering Star bus because it is more affordable and as there are other passengers on board, it seems safer as a young woman than catching a taxi in light of recent assaults. The cancellation of the Wandering Star is going to limit our social and evening work opportunities.
If the Wandering Star is not able to be reinstated, I would like to suggest that the N137, which travels from the city, down Henley Beach Rd, right onto Seaview Rd and into West Lakes Shopping Centre, does not come back on the exact same route, but instead returns from West Lakes Shopping Centre, onto West Lakes Bvd, right onto Frederick Rd, left onto Grange Rd and into the city (same as for the daytime 113 route). Travelling in a loop like this would increase the number of patrons who could use this service.
Thanks for looking into this issue.
Kind regards,
Michelle
(Name withheld) who is in his last year of Law at Adelaide University and therefore wishes to remain anonymous said "I refuse to drink and drive so I guess the good news is that my parents finally get the curfew they always wanted - when I was 16!!".
Brian who lives in the Adelaide Hills made this comment "There is no way my daughter is going to have the $60 to catch a taxi home and I'm not sure any more that I would want her alone in a taxi at any time of the day or night any way."
Simone of Stirling passionately expressed her frustrations "Do these people live in the real world? We don't all have chauffeurs, mansions and a nanny!! We have 4 boys (all under 19) who are loaded full of testosterone for God's sake. It's hard enough to get them all home at night without these politicians giving them an added excuse to wander the city streets. I'm too young to be a grandmother yet and I bloody well don't want to lose any of them - my boys are everything to me."
YACSA Election Toolkit 2007
The Election Toolkit below is still useful information about how a federal election works.
YACSA Election Toolkit or How a Federal Election Works
Download an imposed printable version of the toolkit here (564 kb)
Catergories:
The Short Story
The Full Story
Who can become a member of Parliament?
When are elections held?
What is an electoral division and how many are there?
How many Senators are there?
Who conducts elections?
Who can vote in federal elections?
What if I can't get to a polling booth to vote on Election Day?
How do I vote?
Electing members to the House of Representatives
How is the Senate elected?
How are votes counted?
How do I vote if I want a particular party to become the Government?
Who are the Political Parties in Australia?
How is the Prime Minister elected?
I need more information - where can I go?
The Short Story…
Election Day is Saturday, 24 November 2007. Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens 18 years and over. To vote you have to go to a ‘polling booth’ on Election Day. Polling booths are usually open between 8am and 6pm and located in a local hall, or school. If you can’t get to a polling booth, you can vote by mail or in person before Election Day, you should call the Australian Electoral Commission on13 23 26 to arrange this. Your vote is for one Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Representatives to represent you and others living in your electorate, and Senators who represent the state of South Australia. If you want a particular party to be elected to Government you should vote for a member of that party in the House of Representatives. The political party with the most members elected to the House of Representatives forms the Government. You can vote for people who belong to political parties, or for independents.
If you want information on how to vote, how votes are counted, what the policies of the major parties are and more, then read on for THE FULL STORY...
The Full Story...
The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, or Federal Parliament, is made up of two Houses. There is the House of Representatives, sometimes called the Lower House; and the Senate, sometimes called the Upper House or House of Review. Both Houses are directly elected by the people of Australia. The politicians who are elected are known as local Members, Members of Parliament, or MPs. Politicians elected to the Senate are known as Senators.
The role of the House of Representatives is to run the country by developing policies so that the country can operate. The House of Representatives is able to make policy decisions about a range of issues that affect all Australians. The Federal Government also deals with other countries on behalf of all Australians.
The role of the Senate is to represent the States equally and to review the proposals and decisions of the House of Representatives and executive government. All States have equal representation because Australia’s Constitution was written to ensure that less populated States have equal access to government decision-making processes.
Who can become a Member of Parliament?
To become a member of the House of Representatives you must be an Australian citizen and 18 years of age. People who stand for Parliament are known as candidates.
You cannot become a member of the House of Representatives if you are a Senator, Member of a State Parliament, a public servant, an officer of the Electoral Commission, not an Australian citizen, an undischarged bankrupt or a person convicted of certain offences.
To be a candidate you need to be nominated by six electors of the electorate the candidate is standing in, and pay a deposit of $500 which is returned if the candidate gets a minimum of 4% of votes in the electorate.
Elections
When are elections held?
Federal elections are held approximately every 3 years. The Prime Minister can decide when to hold an election but has to get approval from the Governor General (the person who is the Queen’s representative in Australia) before an election can be called.
What is an electoral division and how many are there?
The current House of Representatives has 150 seats or electoral divisions. Each electoral division is represented by one member. Under the Constitution, each original State is guaranteed at least five members, but all States except Tasmania now have more depending on their populations. The representation of States and Territories for this election is as follows:
New South Wales - 49 seats, Victoria - 37 seats, Queensland - 29 seats, Western Australia - 15 seats, South Australia - 11 seats, Tasmania - 5 seats, Australian Capital Territory - 2 seats, and the Northern Territory - 2 seats.
The number of seats a State or Territory has is determined by a quota system explained on the AEC website (www.aec.gov.au). As Australia has uneven numbers of people living across it, the size of seats varies. In order to have balanced numbers in each seat the geographical size of the seats vary.
How many Senators are there?
There are 76 Senators in the Senate. Each of the six States has twelve Senators, and the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have two Senators each.
Who conducts elections?
The Australian Electoral Commission oversees all Commonwealth electoral matters including running elections, maintaining lists of voters (called electoral rolls), and distribution of electorates.
Who can vote in federal elections?
It is compulsory to enrol on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll once you turn 18 years. 17 year olds may enrol provisionally but may not vote until they turn 18 years. You also need to be an Australian citizen to be able to enrol. Once you have enrolled then you can vote.
Voting in Australia is compulsory once you are 18 years of age unless you have been exempt for reasons such as being of ‘unsound mind’, you are in prison serving a sentence of three years or more or have an unpardoned conviction for treason or treachery. For 24 hours after the writs for an election are posted you can still enrol to vote if you are eligible to do so. If you have enrolled, but have changed your address or name, you will also need to notify the Electoral Commission. Check with the AEC (www.aec.gov.au) for the timelines for doing this.
To enrol to vote or change your details you should complete an enrolment form. An enrolment form can be obtained from your local Post Office, the Australian Electoral Commission (telephone: 13 23 26) or you can download one from their webpage at www.aec.gov.au. Usually there are prepaid envelopes for you to post it to the Electoral Commission at your local post Office, so it won’t cost you anything.
Keep in mind that the form must reach the Electoral Commission by mail and cannot be sent electronically.
What if I can’t get to a polling booth to vote on Election Day?
Don’t waste your vote if you can’t get to a polling booth on election day. Your vote is important. You can vote by mail or in person before polling day – and it is easy to arrange. Contact the Australian Electoral Commission by ringing 13 23 26 in Australia, or go to their website at: www.aec.gov.au. Keep in mind that applications must be received by mail on the Thursday before polling day, otherwise you won’t be able to complete the voting materials sent to you and post them before the close of voting. Late applications will not be processed.
How do I Vote?
To vote you have to go to a polling booth on Election Day. Polling booths are usually located in schools, churches or community halls and are open between 8am and 6pm.
How-to-vote cards: Volunteers from political parties stand outside polling places distributing how-to-vote cards. These cards show voters how political parties or candidates would like them to vote. They may be taken into the polling booth to assist in filling in your ballot papers. You do not have to accept how to vote cards offered to you, and you don’t have to follow the advice of any how to vote card.
When you enter the polling booth you have to go to a table and answer three questions: What is your name? Where do you live? Have you voted before in this election? You then have your name checked off the electoral roll. You will be given two pieces of paper called ballot papers – one ballot paper will be for the House of Representatives and the other ballot paper for the Senate. On this piece of paper are the names of all the candidates, and the parties they represent. The ballot paper for each seat lists the candidates’ names and shows which parties they represent. Candidates who do not represent a party are listed as ‘independents’.
Electing members to the House of Representatives
The voting system used to elect the House of Representatives is called preferential voting. This means voters rank all candidates in order of who they think will do the best job. You must number every square on the ballot paper, beginning with the number 1 in the box beside the candidate who is your first choice, number 2 beside your second choice, and so on.
If every box is not filled in with a number, your ballot paper will not be counted. Ballot papers that are filled out incorrectly are called informal votes. If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, you can ask the Electoral Commission Officer at the polling booth for another one.
How is the Senate elected?
The Senate ballot paper has 2 sections which are clearly separated by a thick black line. You need to vote in one section only. If you choose to vote above the thick black line, you write the number 1 in the box above the party or group you want to vote for and your preferences will be counted according to the way the party or group has registered them with the Australian Electoral Commission.
If you choose to vote below the thick black line, you complete your ballot paper as you do for the House of Representatives, until you have numbered every box in the order of your preference.
How are votes counted?
Both the Senate and the House of representatives use the preferential voting system, but each system varies.
Senators are elected by a preferential voting system, known as proportional representation. This system is aimed at electing more than one candidate in each State who has obtained enough votes to exceed a required quota to get elected.
The quota is obtained by dividing the total number of formal votes by one more than the number of candidates to be elected and adding one to the result. For example, if the total of formal votes in a State is 700,000 and there are six Senate places, the quota is 100,001. To be elected you would need to win at least 100,001 votes.
Candidates who receive more than the quota (which is a proportion rather than a majority of the total vote) have their extra votes are allocated to the voters’ next preferred candidate. This happens until all of the votes have been allocated. The end result is the election of a number of candidates each representing a proportion or quota of the total vote.
For House of Representative candidates to be successful they must be supported by the majority of voters (50% of votes plus one vote). Preferential voting for the House of Representatives is designed to elect one candidate with a majority of votes.
A candidate receiving more than 50% of the first preference votes is immediately elected. If no candidate gains 50% of first preferences, the one with the fewest votes is excluded. That candidate’s votes are then transferred to the other candidates according to the preferences shown. This process continues until one candidate has more than 50% of the votes and is declared the winner.
How do I vote if I want a particular political party to become the Government?
If you want a particular party to become the Government you should vote for a member of this party in the House of Representatives. The political party with the most members elected to the House of Representatives forms the Government
Who are the Political Parties in Australia?
There are three major parties in Australian politics; the oldest are the Australian Labor Party (ALP), the Liberal Party (LIB) and the National Party (Nat). The Liberal and National parties often join to form what is called the Coalition to oppose the ALP. The Australian Democrats (DEM), Greens (Greens), Family First (FF) and Independents (lnd) sometimes have influence and hold the balance of power in the Senate. This means that when the numbers of ALP and Coalition Senators is fairly even, then the smaller parties and independents are in control of passing legislation.
Minor parties often represent specific interests and their lobbying is a major part of the political process in Australia. Currently the Democrats, Greens and Family First are represented.
How is the Prime Minister elected?
The political party or coalition of parties which has won a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives forms the government. The leader of the Federal Government is called the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is selected by the political party to which they belong, from amongst their elected Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister is always a Member of the House of Representatives.
I need more information – where can I go?
Contact the Australian Electoral Commission on 13 23 26 or www.aec.gov.au.
Find your local member’s electorate office address here:
- House of Reps: www.aph.gov.au/house/members
- Senate: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators
To find out more about the policies of political parties to help you make an informed decision about who to vote for, check out the:
- Australian Democrats: www.democrats.org.au
- Australian Labour Party: www.alp.org.au
- Family First: www.familyfirst.org.au
- Greens: greens.org.au.
- Liberal Party of Australia: www.liberal.org.au
- National Party of Australia: www.nationals.org.au