<< Luddy it comes down to policy and the DLP say the things that I think are reasonable and Australian focused. >>

Soggy, could you tell us just what it is about the DLP policy platform that appeals to you?

<< I agree completely with your views re the myth of eternal growth. Problem is, I don't see any politician on the horizon willing to take on that fight. In fact, I would posit that, as our system presently stands, it would be impossible for any leader to take on that fight and win. >>

Anthonyve, it would indeed be very hard for a leader to take on that fight.

But it’s what we’ve got to have, sooner or later! That is; a government that embraces the notion of a stable population, or at least one that is growing at a very much slower rate, and realises the absurdity of forever increasing the domestic demand for everything, especially when it is supported by finite fossil fuels and minerals, with peak oil looming and an end to the mining boom coming some time soon.

In fact, I would go as far as saying that if we just continue on in the same old way, then no party or leader will be able to recover any real level of respect from ordinary Australians. The terrible discontent felt by the average citizens towards politicians will just continue to get worse until our society starts to seriously fracture.

We’ve GOT to listen to Carr and Thomson! It is ESSENTIAL! And we’ve got to push Labor to take on their message.

It is interesting to note that Gillard and Rudd before her have allowed Thomson to speak totally freely even though much of what he says runs counter to Labor policy. And it is very interesting that Gillard brought Carr into the top level of her government knowing full well of his long history of being against high immigration and in favour of a limits-to-growth future.

And it is interesting that Gillard herself denounced Rudd’s ‘big Australia’.

So I’d like to think that Labor is not strongly opposed to this sort of change and indeed may even desperately long for it, and would do so if they weren’t so severely pressured not to by their all-powerful vested-interest big-donations big-business buddies!

that Labor is not strongly opposed to this sort of change
Ludwig,
What has what Labor thinks got to do with it ? What they think is not their problem, their problem is that they can't do anything right anymore no matter what.
You can not expect anything of value emanating from a bunch of weekend lawyers & half-baked academics. they have no substance, no foresight, no sense, no care, no clue & some people want them to continue ? Makes me shudder to think what their supporters are made of.

Luddy for whatever promises and words are worth these days, these are some of the DLP's manifesto.

*The current Murray Darling Basin plan to restrict and remove water from farming communities in those areas is not only irresponsible but could very well threaten our food security in the future.

*We will fight to ensure that Water, the Water Catchment facilities, and all Water-grid systems remain under a Government Department, and not sold off to Private Enterprises.

*We oppose the “National Competition Policy”, which encourages privatisation.

*Support fair elections with proportional representation at all levels of government.
Amendments to State or Federal Constitutions are to be made subject to a referendum.
Support the re-establishment of all upper house parliaments in Australian States.
Immediately remove fixed term parliaments that diminish the powers of our Westminster system.

*Maintaining an adequate and just as importantly an adaptable defence force also means maintaining manufacturing and service industries capable of supporting:

*Oppose “globalism” that is foreign interference by supranational bureaucracies and cartels in our social, legal and economic decision-making. Support for producer cooperatives and orderly marketing under statutory authorities. This is the most practical and effective way to offset abnormal fluctuations in the price for our rural exports.

*Maintain our quarantine and product labelling safeguards. Protect essential local industries against the dumping of cheap imports. Compensate the rural exports sector from trade competitors subsidised to undercut prices in our traditional markets.

*Limit the foreign manipulation of our economy by imposing tax penalties on “hot money” speculators in capital and exchange markets. This will also promote responsible awareness of the “national interest” among Australian money traders.

*Permanently bar the foreign ownership of Australian residential real estate. Special case exceptions will exist for continuing permanent residents and bona fide intending permanent residents, natural or corporate.
TBC

*The Democratic Labor Party was the first party to publically oppose any form of carbon tax or emissions trading scheme.

*Australian Manufacturers have been ignored by successive governments over the years. With the ALP adding the unnecessary tariff of a carbon tax, then we need to act fast to secure our ability as a nation to manufacture. Manufacturing not only reduces our reliance on foreign imports, it is a crucial component of our defence strategy, reduces our trade deficit and builds strong communities and skills in the country’s regional centres where a great portion of our manufacturing resides.

*The Democratic Labor Party (DLP) opposes this highly subsidised method of generating electricity as a substitute or replacement for baseline power such as coal, gas or hydro electric.

*The CSIRO, which should also be de-politicised. The CSIRO will help to improve the efficiency of Australian industries through innovative research without being tied to predetermined industry outcomes, which promotes bad science.

*Industrial relations reforms that work to emasculate the trade union movement. Industrial relations reforms that impose the stamp of (what’s deceivingly called) ‘economic rationalism’ on the workplace of every Australian employee.

*Reject politically imposed multiculturalism and instead foster the more natural growth of a cosmopolitan community. A community where migrants are made welcome – free to maintain their cultural heritages and traditions – and helped to integrate as citizens on renouncing incompatible prior national allegiances.

*Urgently expedite the processing of off-shore asylum applications through a level of funding that matches the amounts spent on immigration detention centres. The funding should progressively increase until the back-log of applications is cleared, the refugees are resettled in Australia and those without valid claim for asylum are promptly despatched from our shores.

Ludwig the DLP was driven by the Catholic Church in the days that Church had near total sway in both ALP AND DLP.
best thing thing DLP ever did was die.
Doom and gloom unneeded both sides to have a revival, and new leaders.
This current problem will drive change on both sides.
Turnbull Rudd a very real chance for come backs.
providing power brokers get the foot of the throat of the party.
watch this space for good news.