Convention Candidate: Len Harris

Democratic Alternative Information Service:

Constitutional Convention

Candidates

Orientation: Monarchist.
Head of State: Retain existing arrangements.

Candidate Statement: Available at the Australian Electoral Commission web site.

I have worked for the last 14 years in the mining industry, the last 2 years owning and operating my own operation GOLD MINE CREEK MAREEBA.

The Australian Constitution resulted from a majority of residents from every state agreeing to join and become The Commonwealth of Australia, therefore it will require a majority of residents from all states voting to change this statute.

The people of Australia cannot make an informed decision on this issue unless they have the relevant information about the Constitution available , it is of utmost importance that this be made available through the print media, therefore I challenge the Print Media through the local Papers to Print the Full Constitution and the residence of North Queensland to study it and have an understanding of it prior to making their decision and subsequently voting for their representatives.

The original Constitution allowed for the right of appeal at a level, above the level of Government (accountability of the actions of the Government). Therefore, if the Government members from both sides of the house appoints a President this person would not be sufficiently distant from the Government to be able to make an unbiased decision regarding the actions of the Government, for and on behalf of the people.

The Federal Government has passed a bill to hold the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ?

This may result in not only the CONSTITUTION BEING CHANGED BUT THE NATION BECOMING A REPUBLIC IS THIS YOUR WISH?

The Federal Government has nominated 76 people, 40 being sitting members from all parties and 36 people from all walks of life.

The Public are now being asked to elect a further 76 members with each states representatives based on a quota per population, not on equal number of representatives for each state.

The privilege to stand as a candidate for election requires depositing a $500 non-refundable deposit.

Voting is optional and by Postal Vote, it is essential that you take the time to register your vote

We are not talking of amending a law to fine you for littering, for crossing a double white line or for speeding, what is being proposed will if carried to its conclusion result in CHANGING THE DOCUMENT UNDER WHICH OUR NATION IS GOVERNED and how its LAWS WILL OPERATE IN THE FUTURE.

Are you prepared to place this level of POWER in the hands of any POLITICAL PARTY.

The Government is charged to make the laws For The people and the Judiciary is charged with Implementing them.

When selecting the representatives of QUEENSLAND I urge you to consider the INDEPENDENT candidates who will represent your interest at the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION and THEREFORE DO NOT select those candidates from a political party because they will only serve the interest of those that they receive their orders from.

Prior to the Constitutional Convention it would be desirable for the public to read and be familiar with the Constitution. The Independent Candidates are committed to holding public meetings to ensure that they take to Canberra the views of the PEOPLE.

The first of these meetings has been arranged for Saturday 8^th November 97 at the Pacific International Cairns at 8 pm where all the Nth Qld Independent Candidates will discuss their views, be advised of your views and answer your questions. Other meetings will be arranged to cover the Tablelands.

What is the intent of the proposed change - is it to protect the Constitution or subvert its original INTENT.

I strongly recommend Australian Citizens support
And strengthen the
ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION.

Please feel free to contact me between 7am and 8pm during the postal mail out and until the close of voting on 5^th December regarding this issue

Sunday, 2 November 1997
LEN HARRIS
P.O.Box 236
MAREEBA 4880
Phone (070) 923194
Fax (070) 925440

Candidate	Candidate No	Preference Order
HARRIS Len	118	1
ARONEY Nicholas	205	2
JOYNER Rona	181	3
SHEIL Glen	155	4
BJELKE-PETERSEN Florence Isabel	198	5
WALLIS Noel	145	6
HELON George	109	7
DARBY Michael	126	8
BRADLEY Thomas Joseph	209	9
JANSSEN Peter	108	10
HOCKEY Margaret	176	11
WEST Peter B.	183	12
BARROS Alistair	188	13

(1) The short time frame that was allowed between nominations closing and having to complete a how to vote card. I receiving from the Australian Electoral Commission a list of names without contact information 1 1/2 hours before the closure time to have a how to vote card lodged in Brisbane.

The information package with all nominee contact numbers necessary to carry out this task did not arrive by mail until seven days after the period to lodge the how to vote card expired.

(2) A single Candidate only had 50 words to complete their statement, whereas groups had the initial 50 words for their first member plus an extra 25 words for each extra person in the group.( a group of 13 therefore having 350 words statement for the group)

(3) Two of the groups nominated namely "Community Republicans (Popular Election of President)" and "The Alternative Three" are groups registered in New South Wales therefore what are they doing purporting to represent Queenslanders when obviously the directives for their groups are coming from New South Wales?