Election 2007
Australian Democrats WA Division

Don is of the opinion that the major parties have lost the plot and is of the firm belief that they have not yet found it.
They both hide behind manipulative language concealing their true intentions, and none appear to be able to plan for the future, let alone understand it, but are very good at short term solutions with the view to prolonging their power for as long as possible, and all put major effort into winning the next election immediately after attaining office, while showing little concern for whatever detrimental effect and cost this may have on the future of Australia and its people.
Both are guilty of abuse when attaining Senate majority, which is a perversion of the true function the Senate is supposed to play in the political landscape of the nation.
Our forefathers Federation planning envisaged the Senate as a house of review, where all Senators whatever their political persuasion gathered to scrutinise and advise governments of the day on issues which impact on all. The Senate was also envisaged as a “States House” where Senators, whatever party they belonged to, put their respective States first.
That critical role has been sold out to political expediency.
Don is of the firm belief that with the Australian Democrats holding the balance of power in the Senate it becomes far more representative, and provides protection against the introduction of extreme measures that do not have broad community support , and also preserves the essence of the separation of powers. Something which also prevents it becoming a rubber stamp for Governments of the day.
History has shown time and again that a Government with no checks or balances is a dangerous circumstance for any Nation.
It abrogates the best interests of the country and its people.
It is also pertinent to point out that the Australian Democrats role in the Senate has never been obstructionist, they have never prevented elected governments from doing their job.
The obstructionist accusation is nothing more that a myth put about by those with vested interests.
Any study of Senate records pertaining to bills passed and those rejected will put that allegation to rest.

Life and Experience.
Don is of mature age which he considers an advantage, having witnessed many Governments in power, that means he has seen over the years many different buckets presented containing the same garbage.
He has spent all his life in regional and remote Western Australia and understands full well the inconveniences associated with living in those locations, and also the effect of problems associated with the tyranny of distance; which is still a factor in this day and age, something that also contributes to the difficulties of a fair go related to delivery of essential services.
This is an issue that all Federal Governments pay lip service to but continue to fail to solve and implement solutions.
Don’s career path has been one of supervisory and management positions associated with mining and construction and he is currently managing director of a small company providing services within those same fields.
Don has been married for nearly forty seven years and is the father of five adults and grandfather of six.

Pledge.
Don fully understands that the Australian Democrats cannot change the world , but can continue to strive to make Australia a better place,
He believes that nation building with the financial bottom line as its only criterion is a rotten foundation. There is an urgent need to broaden our outlook in respect of our social and national needs, remembering our personal responsibilities to one another.
Don believes he is well equipped to tackle the important issues as well as a further Senate role of “Holding the Bastards Accountable”.

The Senate Team
Erica Lewin, Rob Olver, Don Hoddy