Introduction to the Australian Democrats

Our democracy is becoming increasingly fragile and the political discourse shaped by the need to "win" rather than serve the people. The major parties are seen as out of touch and more focused on maintaining their hold on power rather than solve the problems Australia is facing.  The need to do politics differently is urgent.  We know this sounds like 2023, but this scenario played out in 1977.  A former Fraser government minister quits the government and his party, and re-emerges at the head of a new party: the Australian Democrats.

Everyone's heard the phrase "keep the bastards honest". Not everyone knows the political party that coined the term, and fulfilled the role of the people's watchdog in the Senate for 30 years.  The Democrats didn't just hold governments of all stripes to account, but used the powers of the Senate, and the balance of power, to ensure governments kept their promises and served the needs of the Australian people, clocking up significant legislative wins in social and civil rights, environment and climate change, health, and other areas that Australians take for granted today.

Join us on 12 December 2023 to learn more about the history of the Australian Democrats, our legislative achievements, why our role in the Senate was so crucial to our democracy, and how it has never been replicated by the crossbench that followed in our footsteps.  

Find out how you can do your bit to safeguard democracy in Australia, and how you can help the Democrats return to parliaments across the nation, and return to keeping the bastards honest.


If you'd like to learn more about us, please visit: Australian Democrats

If you'd like to become a member of the party, please visit: Australian Democrats Membership

If you're aged between 16 and 24, and would like to become a youth member of the party, please visit: Young Democrats Membership

If you'd like to donate to the Australian Democrats, please visit: Donate

If you'd like to purchase some Australian Democrats merchandise, please visit: Australian Democrats Merchandise

Authorised by A. Castrique, Australian Democrats, 15 Bassett Street, NAIRNE, SA, 5252.