President Paul Stevenson Political position Centre | Ideology Social liberalism | |
Newspaper Australian Democrats (Queensland Division) Newsletter. ISSN. 2206-5628. | ||
The Australian Democrats (Queensland Division) Incorporated, otherwise known as the Queensland Democrats, is an independent Australian not-for-profit incorporated association, established in Queensland under the Incorporated Associations Act 1981.
Contents
Foundation
The founding of the Australian Democrats (Queensland Division) may be identified as being on 19 June 1977, when a meeting was held at the Dendy Theatre in Fortitude Valley, to discuss the setting up of a local state division of the newly formed Australian Democrats. Dr Michael Macklin, then a lecturer in education with the University of Queensland, was appointed Interim Chair of the Queensland Steering Committee, and on 21 June 1977 the Steering Committee met for the first time, calling for nominations for a Queensland Divisional Executive, which would include a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and other members. Macklin has been described as "the founding figure of the Democrats in Queensland" and for Macklin, having a "democratically elected Executive" was crucial.
Incorporation
On 29 May 1996 the Australian Democrats (Queensland Division) became an incorporated association, registered in Queensland. Under Section 118 of the Constitution of Australia, incorporation means that the Queensland Division is a legal entity, with recognition ensured throughout Australia.
Political Representation
Previous political representatives have been, in chronological order: Dr Michael Macklin, Cheryl Kernot, Andrew Bartlett the Rev. John Woodley and John Cherry, each of whom was elected to the Senate. Senators Macklin, Kernot and Bartlett all served as national leaders of the Australian Democrats.
Structure
Under the Queensland legislation for incorporated associations, the Queensland Democrats are governed by a democratically elected Executive, otherwise known as a Management Committee. The democratic election of the Executive is in keeping with the traditional emphasis on democratic processes within the Queensland Division. The current President is psychologist and trauma expert Paul Stevenson OAM.