F.R.E.E. Australia Party

[bloodshot_eyes]

Hi folks.

 

Some of you may of heard of F.R.E.E. Australia party but for those who have not, its a political party that started up recently in South Australia. It came to prominence during the debate surrounding the Rann Governments so called "Anti Bikie Laws" or more accurately the "Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Bill 2007" This party is firmly against these laws and so far this issue is the main issue upon which F.R.E.E. Australia comments in the media. This party will be trying several members for the Legislative Council in the South Australian elections which are I believe next year some time. They also seem to be in the process of starting up chapters in other states. After reading their website freeaustralia.org I was impressed on their views on certain issues. It was thin on policies but they are a very new party so you must forgive them there.

Last week I e-mailed Paul Kuhn, spokesperson for the party regarding F.R.E.E. Australia's policies and views on cannabis and the proposed "Hydroponic Industry Control Bill 2009" (Another nasty Rann Government law in making) I have, this week, recieved a reply from Paul Kuhn and a good one I might add. Below I will include firstly my e-mail (my name omitted) followed by Paul Kuhn's reply (my name omitted)

 

Good afternoon.

 

My name is **** ******. I have been deeply disturbed with political events that have occurred in this state and on a federal level on all sorts of issues over the last decade or so. It literally gets me down at times. I think the Rann government is really starting to loose the plot recently though. I will admit straight out that I am a recreational cannabis user and I associate with people who cultivate cannabis hydroponically and outdoors for personal use. I am a firm believer that we, as functional, intelligent adults should have the right to partake in our chosen vice as well as supply ourselves with clean, unadulterated product whilst being free of fear from persecution and incarceration. I also believe that the cannabis industry in South Australia has become a much more sinister scene since the old 10 plant decriminalisation laws were repealed.

I am asking you what Free Australia's views and or policies are regarding cannabis in particular, as well as the recent proposed Hydroponic Industry Control Bill 2009? I would be very interested to hear from you and regardless, I will be giving my vote to Free Australia and the Greens. As a footnote, would you be happy for your reply to be posted on an online Australian Cannabis community forum? If not please let me know in your reply and I will not post it.

 

Yours Sincerely

 

**** ******

 

Hello ****.

 

As you are probably aware, FREE Australia Party is a new player on the block. We only gained our official registration earlier on this year and we have been growing at an amazing rate, clearly to the dismay of other mainstream parties. We hope so.

 

But this means that we are in the process of formulating our policies and directives. (I will answer your enquiry directly in a moment!) It is our directive to take advisement from those who work in various fields, for example, teachers for education and so on. We have also recognised the difficulty in setting any policy in cement as we can see how it is simply not possible to know exactly what the status of a given area is unless you hold government and have access to the relevant data only available to the government of the day. As a result, we have decided to remain as flexible as possible, allowing for constant updating based on information, public perception, public attitudes et al.

 

I took the liberty of taking your email to a meeting of the executive council the other evening and I thank you for asking in such a clear and direct manner.

 

Our directive on cannabis in particular was a unanimous consensus of opinion in that we all believe it should be decriminalised and something that we, as a party, and individual members, will support. This raised the question then at what point does an individual become a dealer? We look to Portugal where they have decriminalised ALL drugs regardless and find that they seem to have resolved all the questions raised, dealt with proponents of maintaining criminality by the test of time and so on. Portugal is certainly neither a "drug haven" nor has it slid into some depraved drug ridden Dante's inferno! In fact, quite the opposite and is a world leader in this regard, certainly one to take note of and take the cue from. I have included a PDF about Portugal for your information.

 

This may seem strange, but we are not about vote seeking but are attempting to restore democracy and to become a government that actually speaks for and acts for the people. This is why input from the broader community is important and crucial to this development. Hence our policy directive on taking advisement from those in the various interest and work groups.

 

Again, thank you for your honesty in your email and voicing your opinion without fear or favour.

 

Paul Kuhn

Spokesperson,

F.R.E.E. Australia Party,

nominated for the Legislative Council SA 2010 elections.

 

 

P.S. I have taken the liberty of copying both my reply and your original email to others as you have raised a particularly pertinent issue for consideration.

 

 

 

**** wrote:

Good afternoon.

 

My name is **** ******. I have been deeply disturbed with political events that have occurred in this state and on a federal level on all sorts of issues over the last decade or so. It literally gets me down at times. I think the Rann government is really starting to loose the plot recently though. I will admit straight out that I am a recreational cannabis user and I associate with people who cultivate cannabis hydroponically and outdoors for personal use. I am a firm believer that we, as functional, intelligent adults should have the right to partake in our chosen vice as well as supply ourselves with clean, unadulterated product whilst being free of fear from persecution and incarceration. I also believe that the cannabis industry in South Australia has become a much more sinister scene since the old 10 plant decriminalisation laws were repealed.

I am asking you what Free Australia's views and or policies are regarding cannabis in particular, as well as the recent proposed Hydroponic Industry Control Bill 2009? I would be very interested to hear from you and regardless, I will be giving my vote to Free Australia and the Greens. As a footnote, would you be happy for your reply to be posted on an online Australian Cannabis community forum? If not please let me know in your reply and I will not post it.

 

Yours Sincerely

 

**** ******

 

I thought it was excellent that he actually bought my e-mail along to a party meeting and it obviously spurred some debate. This is exactly the sort of response you want from a politician on this issue. Although the party is not talking of legalisation, what I would ultimately like to see, their views are a hell of a lot more sensible than the prevailing political views at the moment. It is also good that their looking at Portugal's model on this issue.

 

Bloodshot_eyes

Edited February 25, 2010 by Frazz

[luciddreaming]

Awesome bloodshot! See what a little letter/e-mail can get you guys!

 

They do seem pretty good! It's obvious they would support legalisation imo. Just decriminalisation is first always because there is evidence it works whereas legalisation, not so much. Of course we all KNOW it's better, just the evidence that's lacking.

When election for SA comes, any members here make sure you get the word out about these guys, streets and internet.

[Frazz]

good onya bseyes , as a minority we have to keep chipping away and raising the injustice of finding ourselves as criminals in the laws' eyes , just as you have done so well on this occasion

 

[thedarkestone]

I know where my vote will be going next SA election.

[bloodshot_eyes]

The South Australian election is only a few weeks away. Just thought I'd remind you all that this party is on the ballot and they are sympathetic to our cause. As you can see above they are even nice enough to return e-mails and consider them too. I will be voting for these guys for sure.

[bloodshot_eyes]

Just a list of some of their policy directives from their website:

 

freeaustralia.org

 

• Resolving the environmental water crisis is a number one priority

 

• A legislated bill of rights to prevent governmental excesses

 

• Abolishment of the S.O.C.C.A laws and secret police legislation

 

• Increased support for the chronically disabled

 

• Eligible people in housing trust homes empowered to own those homes

 

• Freedom of choice to remain that of the individual, not the government

 

• Rights for prisoners with education and trade skills being taught

 

• A “treatment not punishment” approach through drug decriminalisation

 

• That legislation is actually drafted with the motorcycling community in mind

 

• State governments to form independent commissions against corruption

 

• Deadline on parliamentary questions

 

• Utilise unused buildings to provide more support for homeless & aged

 

• Subsidised education for Australians to re-enter the work force

 

• Inclusion of aboriginal elders in parliament by the creation of a seat

 

• Teachers to be paid the same nationwide, along with improved conditions

 

• A return of the rights of construction workers

 

• No more selling of public assets without a referendum

 

• Australians to be given the right to initiate their own referendum

 

Edited February 25, 2010 by Frazz