Unity Party Policies
2001



Authorised by Dr Peter Wong AM MLC
Parliament House
Macquarie St Sydney 2000

For more copies of this booklet or more information about the Unity Party please contact:

Phone:		(02) 8714 9698
Post:		PO Box N206 
		Grosvenor Place NSW 1220
Email:		unityoz@hotmail.com
Website:	www.drpeterwong.com

Contents
Executive Summary	1
Introduction		2
About the Unity Party	3
Our Vision		4
Disability		5
Education and Training	6
Environment		8
Health			9
Human Rights		10
Immigration		11
Indigenous Affairs	12
Media and Information	13
Multicultural Australia	15
Overseas Aid		17
Privatisation		18
Republic		19
Rural and Regional	20
Taxation		21
Welfare			22
Women			24
Youth			25



Executive Summary

This Policies document sets out the major policies and principles of the Unity Party. It 
outlines the Unity Party's vision for an Australian society that is multicultural, harmonious 
and equitable. 

Our vision is for a society where the rights and contributions of our immigrant and 
Indigenous communities are valued and promoted. Participation by all groups in our society 
is a key issue and Unity will encourage measures and programs to ensure equality of access 
and opportunity. 

The Unity Party is a growing and significant political voice, and wants to hear from people 
who share our vision and policies. 

Key elements of Unity Party policy are:
1.	Promoting the rights of people with a disability.
2.	A strong public education system as well as private education.
3.	A sustainable and healthy environment.
4.	A properly resourced health system, which is affordable and accessible to all members of 
the community.
5.	Australia needs to take a principled stand on human rights and all aspects of democracy.
6.	Immigration is recognised as positive for Australia and should be increased.
7.	An apology to Indigenous people of Australia for past injustices, and a negotiated treaty.
8.	Media are encouraged to better represent the diversity of the Australian people.
9.	Multiculturalism is recognised as a positive and essential element of today's Australian 
society.
10.	Australia is to be an active global citizen and contribute to overseas aid.
11.	Government services are to be privatised only where it can be demonstrated that this is 
in the public interest.
12.	Formation of an Australian Republic.
13.	Rural and regional Australians are entitled to a fair share of the benefits of our economic 
prosperity.
14.	A fair and equitable taxation system.
15.	All Australians have a right to a reasonable quality of life, and as a community we are 
responsible for one another's welfare.
16.	Equal rights and participation for women.
17.	Young people are recognised as the future of our society, and should receive the support 
they need.


Introduction

The following policies represent the Unity Party's position on a range of key issues. The 
underlying themes in our policies are social justice, unity, community harmony, and the 
cultural richness that immigrants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities 
provide to our society. 

The Unity Party is a dynamic and responsive party that is alert to our changing society. 
Therefore, our policies are not static, and we are constantly reviewing and updating our 
policies. 

We welcome your opinions on Unity Party policies and encourage you to join us on a journey 
supporting a culturally diverse and unified Australia. I look forward to your support for our 
party. 






The Hon. Dr Peter Wong AM MLC


About the Unity Party

The Unity Party was established in July 1998, just over two months before a Federal election, 
with a platform of promoting multiculturalism and the rights of ethnic and Indigenous 
communities. 

In the October 1998 Federal election the Unity Party fielded over 90 candidates across 
Australia, from many ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the people who formed 
the party. Candidates included Australians of Aboriginal, Anglo, Arabic, Chinese, Indian, 
Jewish, Pacific Islander, South African, Thai and Vietnamese backgrounds. In NSW alone 
the Party received 60,000 votes - impressive for a Party only nine weeks old. In the 1999 
NSW State election the Unity Party did well again, and Dr Peter Wong was elected to the 
NSW Legislative Council. Unity also succeeded that year in NSW local government elections, 
with seven Councillors elected.

Events that led to forming the Unity Party
Australia is a multicultural community, and for over 30 years Australian Governments have 
recognised and respected migrant communities. From the late 1960's the Coalition and 
Labor parties agreed on their policies about migration and the rights of ethnic communities. 
The White Australia policy and Assimilation policy were replaced first with an Integration 
policy, and then with Multiculturalism. 

The policy of Multiculturalism values Australia's cultural diversity and ethnic communities. 
It respects the right of all people to express their cultural heritage while sharing a 
commitment to Australia and democracy.

Since the 1950's migrant communities have achieved a great deal, but many are still not 
getting a fair go - especially the recently arrived communities. Multiculturalism has been 
kept as Government policy, but in recent years the Federal Government and major parties 
have become less committed to multiculturalism and the interests of ethnic communities. 

In 1996 John Howard was elected as Prime Minister of a Coalition Government. The Prime 
Minister did not appear to personally support multiculturalism, and for some time seemed 
reluctant to use the word. Since 1996 the Federal Government has decreased the migration 
program and made family reunion migration more difficult. Many services have been 
reduced under the Coalition Government, including services and benefits that assist migrant 
and Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal reconciliation has made little progress during this 
period.

John Howard failed to directly oppose the views of One Nation. The formation of One Nation 
and that movement's anti-migrant and anti-Aboriginal sentiment caused great alarm to 
many Australians, including the ethnic and Aboriginal communities who were most hurt by 
their statements. 

The Unity Party Now
The Unity Party is growing and is now a significant political voice. It continues to defend the 
rights of all communities and multiculturalism, and aims to have people from all ethnic 
communities elected to Government. We are organised and committed, and we want to hear 
from people who share our vision and policies.


Our Vision
unity, harmony and cultural richness

The Unity Party calls on Australians to work towards creating a society that is harmonious, 
culturally rich and cohesive in its diversity for current and future generations. Australia is a 
modern multicultural society, diverse and essentially harmonious. Cultural diversity and the 
policies promoting this have shaped a dynamic and prosperous Australia. 

The Unity Party asks Australians to embrace the spirit of multiculturalism and 
reconciliation, to create a society that is fully inclusive; where prejudice and division are 
replaced by understanding and cohesion; and in which healthy, informed and truthful debate 
is promoted. 

The Unity Party envisages a society that recognises the diverse needs of all people - of all 
races and creeds; of those who live in rural and regional Australia and those who live in the 
cities; of women and men. A society that enables all to reach their true potential and make 
their own positive and unique contribution to our nation. 

The Unity Party sees a united and inclusive nation where all Australians, including the 
original inhabitants of this land, have political, educational and social equality, and full legal 
rights. The Unity Party recognises Aboriginal Australians as the traditional custodians of 
Australia. We believe in the need for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous 
Australians.

The Unity Party seeks to create a progressive society where all Australians are supported and 
encouraged to embrace and respond positively to change, to maximise the nation's economic 
opportunities, its productivity and prosperity. 

We vary by race, heritage and religion. Some of us are Indigenous Australians, some of us are 
recently arrived migrants and refugees, and some of us are descended from earlier migrants. 
We differ in our type of employment and our ability to find meaningful employment. We 
vary because of different abilities, age, gender and lifestyle choices. We vary by citizenship 
and residency status. We vary because some of us live in cities and others live in rural areas. 
This diversity is Australia's strength. 

We recognise that our diverse society is based upon individual, collective, and democratic 
rights. We support the promotion of an egalitarian and pluralist society, but recognise that 
our society cannot claim to be egalitarian while serious inequalities exist. 

The Unity Party supports the fundamental Australian value of 'a fair go for all'. We must 
ensure that services and support are available to those who need them. 

We look forward to a future with a dynamic and outward looking Australian economy that 
has thriving international market networks. A future where our nation is globally engaged 
and respected for its unity and diversity. 

We believe the future of Australia will be one of diversity, harmony, unity and great cultural 
richness.



Disability
respecting human dignity and the right to fully participate

The Unity Party supports the rights of people with a disability, including people with a 
disability who are from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Principles
1.	The Unity Party supports the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Disabled 
Persons, which includes rights to respect for human dignity, measures to be as self reliant 
as possible, economic and social security, and protection against exploitation.
2.	Achieving concrete outcomes for people with a disability, particularly those with a 
disability who are from diverse cultures, requires a commitment and resourcing by all 
levels of government to implement existing policies and legislation.
3.	Services for people with disabilities need to incorporate programs and strategies for 
equitable delivery of services to culturally diverse communities.
4.	We are particularly concerned about people from diverse cultures who have a disability, 
as their needs have not been well understood or addressed by Governments and the 
wider community.
5.	In meeting the needs of people with a disability, governments must place greater 
emphasis on social responsibility, and less on economic stringency.

Policies
1.	The cost of language services to be included in the budget for services for people with 
disabilities.
2.	Review the current position where migrants with a disability, and their carers, must wait 
ten years before eligible for the Disability Support Pension, with the objective of reducing 
the waiting period for these people to no more than two years.
3.	Adequate Government funding and resources to services for people with a disability.
4.	No privatisation, cut-backs or closure of services for people with a disability.





Education and Training
a learning society

Australia needs a strong and vibrant education system. The Unity Party is committed to 
giving choice in education and supporting both a strong public system as well as private 
education. It is essential that all people, the disadvantaged as well as the affluent, have access 
to quality education.

Principles
1.	The education of Australians is an investment in our future, and Australia's people are 
our principal national resource. 
2.	Tertiary education is a right, and therefore should be freely accessible and affordable.
3.	We will be unable to compete internationally if our education system is inadequately 
resourced. 
4.	Australia has experienced a serious decline in tertiary education as a direct result of 
funding cutbacks, and it is essential that investment in tertiary education be restored to 
adequate levels. 
5.	Community language and ethnic schools and education programs are a key part of the 
education sector, playing an essential role in the promotion of our nation's multicultural 
heritage, rather than the promotion of a monoculture. 

Policies
1.	A strong and adequately funded public as well as private education system.
2.	Ensuring access and equity in the education system for students of culturally diverse 
backgrounds.
3.	A properly planned and resourced ethnic schools system.
4.	A properly planned and resourced Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Program.
5.	That all students in primary and secondary education in NSW should learn a language 
other than English.
6.	Support for students learning a second language through the community language school 
system, which is often run on weekends.
7.	Bi-lingual educational initiatives in schools.
8.	All Australians having access to good quality education, and that education should not 
only be available to the affluent.
9.	Free tertiary education for all Australians, as tertiary education provides benefits for all 
people in Australia, whether directly or indirectly. 
10.	Reform to the HECS system to make it more equitable for all Australians, by 
discouraging up-front fees of any kind. 
11.	No further privatisation of the Adult Migrant Education Program.
12.	Maintaining the Special Intervention Program for unemployed migrants. 
13.	An integrated approach to education, training, welfare and employment services, so that 
individuals have access to a career management strategy, to become self-sufficient and 
develop a vocational pathway. 
14.	Special forms of support and access to education for people from regional Australia who 
do not have the same opportunities as Australia's urban dwellers. 
15.	Developing a 'knowledge nation', which requires adequate investment in education, 
research and development.
16.	That international students should not be exploited.
17.	That education institutions should not rely financially on fees from overseas students.



Environment
creating a sustainable and healthy environment

The Unity Party believes that a sustainable and healthy environment is necessary for a strong 
economy and a good standard of living. Non-Indigenous land use has had a major impact on 
Australia's environment.

Natural resources can be used and much economic activity relies on their use. Use of natural 
resources should be sustainable in the long term rather than for short term gain, and value 
must be placed on preserving a proportion of our natural environment.

Principles
1.	Australia's natural environment and Australia's people are our two greatest natural 
assets.
2.	Australia's immigration policy should be developed in the context of an overall 
population policy based on principles of environmental and economic sustainability.
3.	Governments should ensure proper planning of new housing and resource development, 
to minimise the environmental impact of population and economic growth, based on 
principles of sustainable development.
4.	In setting environmental objectives the economic and social needs of rural and regional 
communities should also be considered, within a framework of environmental and 
economic sustainability.
5.	The environment is a global issue and Australia must participate in international 
strategies to address the world's serious environmental problems.
6.	Governments should provide incentives for the use of renewable and non-polluting 
resources and energy.
7.	Government should fund research and development in technologies that will contribute 
to sustainable development, reduce household and industry pollutants, and reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions.
8.	Clean air is important for our health and for our natural environment, and Governments 
must be committed to clean air and reducing air pollution. 


Health
access to quality health services by the whole community

All Australians should have access to quality health services. A properly resourced health 
system must be affordable and accessible to all members of the community. Health services 
should meet the health needs of our culturally diverse society. In addition, there should be a 
range of public and private health facilities available.

There is a chronic shortage of doctors in rural areas, yet recognition of skills of overseas 
doctors is often unduly restrictive and prevents well-qualified overseas doctors from 
practising in Australia.

Principles
1.	Our community requires a well resourced and viable public health system as well as a 
viable private health system.
2.	Medicare must be retained as a strong and viable public health insurance scheme for all 
Australians.
3.	The pubic and private health systems must be regarded by Governments as 
complementary and not competing health sectors.
4.	Greater resources and planning must be provided for Aboriginal health to address the 
major health issues being faced by Aboriginal communities.
5.	Health consumers must be consulted about major changes to the health system such as 
the introduction of electronic health records, and the protection of privacy must be of 
paramount important.

Policies
1.	Keeping Medicare as a health insurance system for all Australians.
2.	Supporting the public as well as the private health system. 
3.	Adequate resourcing and planning for Aboriginal health, and consultation with 
Aboriginal communities on health services.
4.	Encouraging access and equity to health services for linguistically and culturally diverse 
communities, through properly targeted and resourced programs within the health 
system, including interpreters and information translated into community languages.
5.	Recognising the skills of overseas trained doctors through less restrictive recognition 
procedures by medical associations, and provision of training courses and re-skilling for 
overseas trained doctors.


Human Rights
fundamental for Australia

As a nation, we must take a principled stand on human rights and all aspects of democracy. 
We must not trade off human rights and democracy against economic and political gains. 
Therefore, Australia's foreign policy should emphasise the importance of universally 
upholding human rights and not only advancing Australia's economic and political self-
interest. 

Australia needs to improve its human rights records. Since 1996, Australia has had a 
relatively poor and worsening human rights record, particularly because of its approach to 
Indigenous Australians, mandatory sentencing laws and the mandatory detention of asylum 
seekers who do not have visas to enter Australia.

Policies
1.	Australia must follow all international covenants on human rights to which it is a 
signatory. 
2.	No legislation should discriminate against any group, and discriminatory legislation 
must be amended, including the new Native Title legislation, legislation detaining asylum 
seekers, and the two-year waiting period for new migrants who need Social Security. 
3.	The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia should acknowledge the pre-existing 
rights of Indigenous Australians
4.	There must be legislation for a Bill of Rights, to include the securing of human rights, 
non-discrimination, and the value of cultural diversity. 
5.	Discriminatory immigration policies and practices that separate close family members 
must be amended so that they are humane.
6.	Translation and interpreter services must be readily available to those who require them, 
including those who cannot afford to pay for these services.
7.	The system of mandatory detention of unlawful non-citizens and asylum seekers should 
be reviewed so that asylum seekers are only detained where that is necessary.
8.	Detention centres should be directly operated by a government authority, and not by 
private enterprise.
9.	An independent authority should be established to monitor and regulate detention 
centres.


Immigration
enriching our society, culture and economy

Unity takes a positive stand on immigration and supports an increase in the immigration 
intake. 

Unity believes that immigration enriches our society, culture and economy and contributes 
greatly to a vibrant and dynamic Australia. Immigration allows us to relate to the rest of the 
world with greater sensitivity, intelligence and knowledge. It is essential that Australia has 
an immigration program which is global, non-discriminatory, balanced and fair in both 
process and outcomes.

Policies
1.	Supporting a fair and humane immigration and refugee program, which restores a fair 
balance between the business and family strands of the immigration program, and allows 
an adequate and humane level of family reunion migration.
2.	Developing Australia's immigration policy in the context of an overall population policy 
based on principles of ecological and economic sustainability.
3.	Recognising immigration as essential to maintaining Australia's social, cultural and 
economic diversity and viability.
4.	Family migration has positive outcomes for the economy, and the emotional, 
psychological and spiritual well being derived from family migration is as important as 
the economic benefits.
5.	Promoting the benefits of immigration to the wider community through information and 
education programs, increasing understanding and support for the migration program. 
6.	Funding and promoting information and education programs dealing with the facts, 
attitudes and feelings relating to immigration.
7.	Administrative law, principles and practice should underpin immigration processes. 
Access to affordable review mechanisms, including judicial review, is essential to achieve 
integrity and procedural fairness. 
8.	Enhance Freedom of Information legislation and procedures, to give prompt and 
affordable access to information on applicants' personal files held by the Department of 
Immigration and migration review tribunals. 
9.	Restoring legal aid to all people at risk in Australia, including asylum seekers and 
residency applicants who are victims of domestic violence.
10.	Reinstating the Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research as an 
independent research body with appropriate funding.
11.	Positive incentives should be provided for migrants to move to rural areas, to provide 
investment, skills, and to revitalise those regions.
12.	Abolish the three-year temporary protection visa, so that all genuine refugees are 
provided permanent residency and have the same rights and access to services.



Indigenous Affairs
continuing the journey to reconciliation  

Australia's Indigenous cultures are now a central part of the national culture - including 
words, images, colours and a sense of how we might relate to the land and to each other. The 
Unity Party recognises that the wealth of Australia is built on the resources that were 
originally owned by Indigenous people.

Since the Mabo and Wik decisions, there is flexibility to recognise different legal norms. Yet 
the Unity Party is very concerned that the 1998 Native Title legislation is discriminatory and 
restricts the common law rights of Indigenous people while extending the rights of others. 
Since it was enacted, the Native Title legislation has not been effective. The partial 
extinguishment of native title does not consider compensation to the original Aboriginal 
owners.

Principles
1.	The Indigenous people of Australia are entitled to an apology for past injustices, from the 
Federal Government, on behalf of all non-Indigenous Australians.
2.	Indigenous Australians are entitled to a negotiated treaty with the Federal Government.
3.	Indigenous peoples are entitled to a just native title and property settlement. 
4.	The whole Australian community must take responsibility to reverse statistics of low life 
expectancy, high infant mortality, endemic disease, high imprisonment rate, deaths in 
custody, low literacy rate and high unemployment amongst Indigenous communities. 
5.	We acknowledge that Australia's structural racism towards Indigenous communities 
produces third world living conditions for Indigenous communities, in a first world 
country.

Policies 
1.	Changing the Constitution to acknowledge the pre-existing rights of Indigenous 
Australians.
2.	Repealing current Native Title legislation and negotiating a just native title resolution.
3.	Empowering Indigenous people to manage their own affairs and determine their own 
future.
4.	Forming alliances between different groups who have felt the effects of racism and 
prejudice.
5.	Expanding educational, health and community services for Indigenous communities.
6.	Programs to maintain and support disappearing and threatened Indigenous Australian 
languages.
7.	Offering an apology and compensation to 'stolen generations' of Indigenous children 
removed from their parents.
8.	Progressing the process of Reconciliation, with the goal of establishing a treaty.


Media and Information
our media reflecting the face of our diversity

The Unity Party is concerned about the lack of diverse faces and voices in our mainstream 
media. The Australian media does not represent the true diversity of the Australian people. 

The mainstream media tends to report stereotyped views of ethnic and Indigenous 
communities, and needs to be more sensitive and responsive to the concerns of these 
communities. The media should acknowledge that the structures and dynamics of ethnic and 
Indigenous communities are not only about race or country of origin, and that they are 
complex communities.

The media has also played a role in heightening the divisions created by the so-called 'race 
debate'. Free speech and debate have become coded words for allowing racists to express 
their prejudices. Any response challenging their representation, however, is dismissed as 
'political correctness'. Some of the divisions of the past few years could have been avoided 
had the media handled the issues in a more balanced and ethical manner. 

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) 
play an important role in our society because they provide, on the whole, a balanced and 
ethical information source. 

Private media ownership is concentrated in the hands of too few people and organisations. 

The gap between information rich and information poor in the community must be 
narrowed. Public and private organisations rely heavily on the Internet to provide 
information to the public. Governments must ensure that the whole community has access to 
this powerful communication tool. 

Policies
1.	The ABC and SBS should receive adequate public funding, remaining free to air and free 
from political pressure and interference by government. 
2.	Retain multiculturalism in the ABC Charter to ensure that the ABC remains a channel 
that serves and is accessible to all Australians. 
3.	Broaden media ownership from the hands of a few. 
4.	Establish an independent media complaints authority.
5.	The journalistic Code of Ethics should focus on race and community relations to ensure 
accuracy, fairness and sensitivity toward all sections of society represented by the media. 
6.	Free and easy access to information from and about government and other public 
organisations. 
7.	Equal access to the Internet by all sectors of our community.
8.	Restore Radio Australia (overseas radio service) to its previous level of resourcing, 
service standards and levels of transmission to other countries.
9.	Extend community television and community radio access and funding.
10.	Allocate more funding to the information needs of ethnic communities through the 
Federal government's Communication's Unit. 
11.	Moves to commercialise the ABC and sell off parts of its website are not in the public 
interest and should not proceed.
12.	Funding for the SBS should be increased in real terms to allow it to expand the important 
and unique service it provides.


Multicultural Australia
a positive and essential element of our society

The Unity Party supports and promotes multiculturalism as a positive and essential element 
of today's Australian society. 

The Unity Party supports the following definition of multiculturalism, which is consistent 
with the definition developed by the National Multicultural Advisory Council in 1999:

"Multiculturalism is a term which recognises, values and celebrates cultural diversity. It 
accepts and respects the right of all people to express and promote their individual cultural 
heritage, within a shared commitment to Australia and the basic structures and values of 
democracy.

Multiculturalism also refers to the strategies, polices and programs designed to:
?	Make our administrative, social and economic infrastructure more responsive to 
the rights, obligations and needs of our culturally diverse population
?	Promote social harmony
?	Optimise the benefits of our cultural diversity for all Australians
?	Promote social justice, equal access to service, and participation in civic affairs, for 
our culturally diverse population."

The Unity Party reaffirms that the term 'multiculturalism' describes the cultural and ethnic 
diversity of contemporary Australia. 

Unity recognises that Australia is, and will remain, a culturally diverse country and seeks to 
ensure that this diversity is a positive force in our society. 

Principles
The Unity Party supports the principles of an earlier Commonwealth Government National 
Agenda for a Multicultural Australia: 

Cultural identity: 
The right of all Australians, within carefully defined limits, to express and share their 
individual cultural heritage, including their language and religion;
 
Social justice: 
The right of all Australians to equality of treatment and opportunity, and the removal of 
barriers of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, gender or place of birth; and
 
Productive diversity: 
The need to maintain, develop and utilise effectively the skills and talents of all Australians, 
regardless of background.

The Unity Party also believes that: 
1.	All Australians should have a commitment to Australia, its interests and its future
2.	All Australians should accept Australia's rule of law, constitution, and democratic 
processes and institutions
3.	Australian citizenship carries obligations as well as conferring rights: the right to express 
one's own culture involves the responsibility to allow others that same right. 

Policies
1.	Affirm that Australia is a multicultural society.
2.	Educate all Australians about the meaning and benefits of multiculturalism for all, and 
assure Australians that multiculturalism is about and for 'all of us'. 
3.	Educate all Australians about the policy of multiculturalism so that it is seen to be about 
social cohesion and not social fragmentation.
4.	Re-establish a community relations program that deals in a constructive way with racism 
and prejudice that occurs in education, local communities and work places. 
5.	Our national leaders should demonstrate active commitment to the policy of 
multiculturalism, which is supported by the great majority of the population.
6.	Our multicultural affairs policy must be relevant all Australians and not just recent 
migrants.
7.	Separate the Multicultural Affairs portfolio from the Immigration Department, and 
combine the functions of Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs in a separate ministry 
within Cabinet.
8.	Promote the implementation of effective access and equity strategies by all government 
authorities and non-government organisations providing services on behalf of 
government.
9.	Promote the reconstruction of the infrastructure of multiculturalism and its agencies to 
ensure that its principles are applied across all portfolios. 
10.	Enhance the business and productive diversity focus of multiculturalism in the 
development of a dynamic, outward looking and globally competitive economy.


Overseas Aid
our international obligations

We are members of an international community. This means that Australia has an obligation 
to contribute and be an active global citizen. This is important both on moral and 
humanitarian grounds. Overseas aid should be provided for reasons of principle rather than 
because of self-interest alone. Our percentage contribution to overseas aid has dropped in 
recent years.

There are practical reasons why Australia should be a particularly active player in whatever 
forms of global cooperation are open to us. We are not part of any emerging geo-political 
bloc, such as the European Economic Union and the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement. 
In addition, Australia is economically vulnerable as an export oriented economy. 

Policies

The Unity Party endorses a vigorous program of Overseas Aid where:
1.	Australia provides overseas aid above the average paid by OECD countries as a 
percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 
2.	Australia develops mutual interests with countries receiving aid through:

?	Encouraging projects in developing countries that can use Australian expertise, goods 
and services
?	Providing creative packages of aid rather than purely monetary aid, such as exchange 
of expertise
?	Developing relationships of two-way learning rather than a relationship of telling, as 
Australian can learn a great deal from the other countries to whom we provide aid 
?	Establishing human relationships in partnership with the aid that is based on a real 
understanding of needs and local realities and problems 
?	Supporting programs that provide aid through grass roots community associations, 
non-government organisations, and community based networks. 

3.	Australia establishes a program that will encourage young Australians to gain expertise 
and skills by working in community development projects in areas of need around the 
world, and so gain a greater awareness of the world. 




Privatisation
the need to operate in the public interest

The Unity Party believes that Government services and functions should only be privatised 
or outsourced where the Government can demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that this is 
in the public interest and will provide an improved level of service to all regions of Australia.

Principles
1.	Privatisation should only take place where there is a measurable and demonstrated 
public benefit.
2.	While reduced Government expenditure is a legitimate benefit to the public, this alone 
does not justify privatisation or outsourcing, and this must be weighed up against social 
and other costs and benefits to the public.
3.	Essential core Government responsibilities should remain under direct Government 
control.
4.	Where Government services are outsourced or privatised the Government must legislate 
or contract strict regulations and guidelines on service providers to provide a specified 
level and quality of service which is no less that that currently provided.
5.	Where Government services are outsourced or privatised, the Government must ensure 
that social obligation provisions are specified, so that private providers deliver affordable 
services to disadvantaged members of the public. 
6.	Public property must be viewed by Government as an asset rather than a liability, to be 
developed for the public good, rather than sold.

Policies
1.	Government must not abdicate its role and obligations to the Australian public through 
privatisation, out-sourcing or cost-cutting.
2.	Return the Job Network to direct control and delivery by a Government authority.
3.	No correctional services or detention centres should be operated by non-government 
organisations.



Republic
moving to an independent and multicultural country

The Unity Party supports the formation of an Australian Republic, as Australia is now an 
independent and multicultural country.

Policies
1.	The Head of State should be an Australian citizen.
2.	The question of a Republic should be put to the people in a simple referendum question.
3.	A preamble to the Constitution should enshrine principles of multiculturalism and 
Indigenous rights
4.	The Constitution of an Australian Republic should retain the same level of checks and 
balances on power as the current constitution.





Rural and Regional
fair sharing of resources and prosperity

Non-metropolitan regions make a major contribution to our economic well being, and its 
residents are entitled to a fair share of the benefits of our economic prosperity. The Unity 
Party understands that many rural and regional communities are suffering economic and 
social changes, through the impacts of economic rationalism, new technologies and 
environmental factors. These communities require Government support and intervention to 
revitalise regional areas and reduce hardship.

Principles
1.	Government agencies to provide services to non-metropolitan as well as metropolitan 
regions.
2.	Governments should develop regional development strategies to meet economic, social 
and environmental targets in rural regions.
3.	Government to provide incentives for migrants to settle in rural and regional areas, to 
provide investment, skills, and to revitalise these regions.
4.	Ensure that migration brings benefits to rural and regional areas, to benefit those areas 
and break down anti-migration sentiment in these areas.
5.	Rural and regional development is necessary for the prosperity of people living in non-
metropolitan regions, and this development should be economically and environmentally 
sustainable in the long term. 

Policies
1.	Providing positive incentives for migrants to move to rural areas, to provide investment, 
skills, and to revitalise those regions.
2.	Positive incentives for more doctors to move to rural areas, including incentives for 
overseas trained doctors
3.	Government authorities drawing up regionally based budgets for allocating resources 
and services.
4.	Expanding the NSW Government Access Centres network to more small towns.
5.	Delivering information technology access to rural households.
6.	Establishing regional human services boards to better plan and fund health, welfare and 
community services.
7.	Extending the community service obligations of privatised services to rural and regional 
communities.
8.	Providing incentives and assistance to establish long-term employment opportunities in 
regions affected by high job loss


Taxation
supporting a fair and equal tax system

Unity supports a fair and equitable taxation system that allows the Government to provide 
services and programs which the community requires. Unity believes this is necessary for a 
fair and prosperous society.

Principles
Unity supports: 
1.	Progressive taxes that place a higher contribution on those who can most afford to pay, 
rather than flat taxes, which tax the poor at the same rate as the affluent. 

2.	Rolling back the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as the financial situation of the Federal 
budget allows, on items that create an unfair tax burden on disadvantaged community 
members.

Policies 
The Unit Party is committed, within a responsible Federal budget, to:
1.	Eliminating GST on all food, health related items, education related items and books.
2.	Not increasing the GST beyond 10%.
3.	Reducing petrol taxes by the level of increase caused by GST since the GST was 
introduced.



Welfare 
security for all Australians

All Australians have the right to a reasonable quality of life. As a community, we need to 
recognise that we are responsible for one another's welfare, and that many people require 
some form of support at some stage in their life. 

As a matter of basic social justice, all members of Australian society have an obligation to 
protect and support each other. This obligation can be met directly by us as individuals, 
through our participation in community organisations, or through governments on our 
behalf. 

As a community we should care for those who are disadvantaged, and so Australia needs 
government that supports and empowers people. People who need support should not be 
discriminated against or treated poorly because they need assistance. 

Principles
1.	The focus of welfare and social security should be on giving people the tools and 
education to help them, rather that creating welfare dependency. 
2.	Government must take greater responsibility for job creation as a way of making people 
less dependent on the social security system. 
3.	The social security system should provide incentives for part-time employment of people 
on benefits, to assist them to enter the work force. 
4.	Compulsory schemes such as the 'work for the dole' are unacceptable in a democratic 
society. 
5.	Conditions attached to receiving social security benefits must not be punitive.
6.	Public welfare should be accompanied by public responsibilities and community 
participation where appropriate, through training programs, skills development, work 
experience and voluntary community work.
7.	A renewed focus is required on meeting the needs of migrants and Indigenous 
Australians, to maximise Australia's use of the skills of the unemployed and 
underemployed. 
8.	We need to recognise the value of family networks as a complimentary and alternative 
social security system, and government policies should support and better resource these 
networks.

Policies 
1.	While temporary protection visas are retained, refugees granted a three-year temporary 
Protection Visa should have the same Social Security entitlements as other refugees.
2.	Review and make more affordable the current system of assurances of support and 
payment of bonds by sponsors of newly arrived migrants.
3.	There should be no discrimination against newly arrived migrants who are suffering 
hardship in determining eligibility for Social Security entitlements, and therefore the two 
year waiting period for new arrivals must be amended.
4.	Vocational English language skills programs should be provided for migrants, especially 
newly arrived migrants.


Women
women from all backgrounds fully participating

The Unity Party recognises and values the contribution and participation of women from all 
cultural backgrounds in Australian society, and believes in equal rights and participation for 
women.

Principles
1.	Women must be able to participate fully in our society and not suffer discrimination or 
reduced opportunities because of gender.
2.	All services should be designed to equitably meet the needs of women, including women 
of diverse cultural backgrounds and Aboriginal women.
3.	Government industrial relations policies and Industrial Awards should provide more 
equal employment opportunities and wage levels for women.
4.	Childcare programs and policies must be adequate to ensure that child care is affordable 
and available to all parents who require childcare, to enable participation in the work 
force and other participation.
5.	Appropriate Federal and state legislation should be designed to provide protection for 
women against gender discrimination or harassment.


Youth
young people, our future

Young people should be recognised for their importance as the future of our society, and for 
the positive contribution they make to the community. They should receive the support they 
require to maximise their contribution. 

Principles
1.	Government must support teachers, and the multicultural education policies of 
education authorities preserved, so that teachers can continue their important role of 
promoting multiculturalism and community harmony.
2.	Community infrastructure and recreational opportunities must be provided for young 
people in areas of greatest disadvantage, to improve their opportunities.
3.	Young people who are employed should not receive lower levels of pay because of their 
age, and rates of pay should be determined according to skill and competency.
4.	Young people who need income support should not receive lower levels of social security 
benefits because of their age.
5.	Programs for young people should include program components and strategies to meet 
the needs of young people who are of diverse cultural backgrounds, and young Aboriginal 
people.
6.	Government services and programs should, where appropriate, target the needs of young 
people of diverse cultural backgrounds, and young Aboriginal people, as they often have 
the highest needs and are least able to access the services available.
7.	Government should fund and support suicide prevention programs for young people and 
family support programs to maintain healthy families.
8.	Government representatives should not present young people in a negative light, and 
refrain from negative stereotypes such as "ethnic gangs".


 

		 
Page 24		Unity Party Policies - 2001
Unity Party Policies - 2001		Page 1