Great Australians

The Preamble establishes the cultural and historical background to our Country and our Party. The Fundamentals seek to heal the rifts in our society focusing all attention on our mission to protect and regain our fading cultural, economic and financial heritage and launch us into a visionary era of true financial and political freedom. The body of the Constitution sets out the mechanism for the organisation of our party – simple, workable, democratic and fair.

We have members all over Australia. There is no ongoing financial commitment required of our members. They are deemed to be (and can only be) members of the Branch covering the Federal seat where they live. The Branches choose their own candidates.

Our constitution guarantees that our endorsed representatives will truly represent the people above party politics. Clause 8.11 provides

"An endorsed candidate who is elected to a Parliament or Council shall honestly and truly represent the will of the free people in the Electorate"

We all migrated to this great southern land. The first of us paddled from the north, then some of us sailed from the west with guns in our hands or in our backs. Others followed.
We have left behind all the lands on earth, many to cherish freedom for the first time.
We have cast off our chains. We respect our freedom and we’ll fight to keep it.
We have always been outnumbered but never overawed.
We have lost but never been beaten.
We have suffered but never doubted ourselves.
Most of us arrived carrying everything we owned. We were forced to live off our new land and we even sold it to survive.
We’ve sold enough and we’ve sold it out enough.
Together we have much to offer the world.
The Great Australians will win back Australia, not sell Australia out.

1 Fundamentals

1.01 We are sorry for the violent and uncaring actions of some of our forebears.
1.02 We respect the 1901 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia and the central place of the Crown and our flag in Australian society until the majority of the Australian people vote otherwise by Referendum.
1.03 We respect the equal rights of all people.
1.04 We respect the family as the base of good society.
1.05 We respect freedom of religion.
1.06 We believe in freedom of enterprise but also in the necessity for reasonable controls and the rights of workers to fairly negotiate.
1.07 We respect the Rule of Law.
1.08 We respect and will care for our environment.
1.09 We believe Governments should only do what only Governments can do.
1.10 We believe Governments should be fair to all citizens, honest and accountable.
1.11 We believe in Citizens Initiated Referenda.
1.12 We owe no allegiance to any vested interests and will not be compromised.

2 Name

2.01 The name of our political party is “Great Australians”.
2.02 The name can only be changed by special resolution of the General Assembly.

3 Purpose

The purpose of our party is to establish governments who represent the will of the free people of Australia.

4 Objects

4.01 To become and remain a registered political party with the Australian, State and Territory Electoral Commissions.
4.02 To endorse candidates to contest Federal, State, Territory and Local Government elections.
4.03 To help our endorsed candidates be elected to the Parliaments and Councils.
4.04 To maintain an efficient well managed political party structure.
4.05 To promote our ideals and policies.

5 Membership

5.01 Membership shall be open to all Australian citizens of sound mind and good character who have attained the age of 18 years. All persons nominated for elected positions shall be members. A person is prohibited from becoming a member if convicted of a disqualifying electoral offence within 10 years before the person applies to become a member. A person is prohibited from continuing as a member if convicted of a disqualifying electoral offence.
5.02 A prospective member shall complete a written application form and pay an application fee as determined by the Federal Executive. The Branch (or the Federal Executive if there is no Branch for the prospective member’s Electorate) shall resolve whether to accept or reject the member’s application at their discretion and shall advise the Registrar of their decision. The Registrar shall communicate the acceptance or rejection to the applicant in writing.
5.03 The Federal Executive in its discretion shall have the right to overrule the Branch’s acceptance of an application for membership on the grounds that an applicant is of bad character or is considered to be a political opponent.
5.04 There is no annual fee or other obligatory fee. Members are requested to make an annual donation to help cover administration costs.
5.05 The Registrar shall keep or cause to be kept an accurate up to date Membership Roll.
5.06 A member must state a principal residence in the application form. A member shall be deemed to be, and can only be, a member of the Branch or Satellite Branch covering the Federal, State, Territory or Local Government Electorate in which the member’s stated principal residence is situated. It shall be the member’s responsibility to inform the Registrar of any change in stated principal residence. A member can only vote at meetings of that member’s Branch or Satellite Branch. The Registrar may remove a member from the Membership Roll where the member has moved from the stated principal residence and not advised of another one.
5.07 Membership may only be terminated in accordance with paragraph 5.06 above, or by the member resigning in writing addressed to the Registrar, or by resolution of the member’s Branch (or the Federal Executive if there is no Branch covering the member’s principal residence) on the grounds of bad character, misconduct, bringing the party into disrepute, or the member is considered to be a political opponent, provided the member is given due notice and permitted to answer the charge in person at a meeting of the Branch or the Federal Executive.

6 Structure

6.01 Patron. In recognition of his foresight and efforts in forming the party, the inaugural Patron for life shall be John James Cumming. We recognize the efforts and dedication of Pat Hahn in assisting in the formation of our party. Subsequent Patrons shall be elected annually by resolution of the General Assembly.
6.01 Branches. A minimum of any three members may form active Branches based on areas covered by Federal Electorates. Active Branches shall meet regularly and conduct their own affairs in accordance with the By Laws.
6.03 Satellite Branches. A minimum of three members may form a Satellite Branch within a Branch based on State, Territory or Local Government Electoral boundaries. Satellite Branches shall meet regularly and conduct their own affairs in accordance with the By Laws.
6.04 State and Territory Branches. Except as may be necessary to comply with any State or Territory electoral registration requirements, State or Territory Branches shall not be formed.
6.05 Federal Executive. The Federal Executive shall consist of a President, two Vice Presidents, one State Delegate representing the Branches in each of the States or Territories, a Secretary, a Registrar and a Treasurer all of whom shall be elected at a meeting of the General Assembly held in October each year. Only delegates from within a State or Territory may vote in elections for the State Delegates to represent that State or Territory on the Federal Executive. In the event of a vacancy in any position, the Federal Executive may appoint a replacement until the next General Assembly. The Federal Executive may appoint other persons to particular portfolios or positions at any time. For the purposes of the Australian, State and Territory Electoral Commissions, unless the General Assembly resolves otherwise, the President shall be the Registered Officer, the State or Territory Delegates shall be the Deputy Registered Officers, the Secretary shall be the Party Secretary and the Treasurer shall be the Party Agent. The Federal Executive and members co-opted by the Federal Executive shall form the Federal Election Committee.
6.06 General Assembly. The General Assembly shall consist of all the members until there are a minimum of 1000 members AND a minimum of 10 active Branches whereupon the General Assembly shall consist of two elected delegates of each Branch. The President or nominee shall chair the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall set Core Policies. A General Assembly may be called by the Federal Executive at any time. A General Assembly shall be called in October each year to resolve to accept Financial Statements to 30 June of that year and adopt an Annual Budget and hold elections for members of the Federal Executive. Nominations shall be called for by the end of August each year. Only if there are no nominations for a position can nominations be called from the floor.
6.07 State or Territory Electoral Assembly. Each State or Territory Delegate shall convene an Electoral Assembly on or before the commencement of a State or Territory election campaign. The State or Territory Delegate or nominee shall chair this Assembly. Each Branch and Satellite Branch in that State or Territory representing a State or Territory Electorate shall elect two delegates to attend and vote at this Assembly. The only business of this Assembly shall be to elect a State or Territory Election Committee for the purposes of organising the election campaign for the upcoming State or Territory election and to adopt policies for the election, provided that the policies shall not be different from any Core Policies.
6.08 Local Government Electoral Assembly. Branch Presidents shall co-operate and convene Local Government Electoral Assemblies of all members residing in Local Government Electorates on or before the commencement of a Local Government election campaign or when requested by any Branch desirous of endorsing candidates for Local Government Elections. The only business of this Assembly shall be to elect Local Government Election Committees for the purposes of organising the election campaign of the upcoming Local Government election, to endorse Candidates and to adopt policies for the election, provided that the policies shall not be different from any Core Policies. Only those members whose stated principal residence is situated within a Local Government Electorate may vote in respect of the endorsement of Candidates or adoption of policies for that Ward.
6.09 Powers. Where relevant, the party shall have all the powers of an individual and all the powers of a Corporation under the Corporations Act 2001.

7 Management

7.01 The affairs of the party shall be administered by the Federal Executive. The General Assembly may resolve to remunerate the members of the Federal Executive in accordance with the Annual Budget. The Federal Executive may employ staff who must be members but shall not hold any elected position in the Party.
7.01 The affairs of Branches and Satellite Branches shall be administered by the Branch Executives in accordance with the By Laws. Branch Executives shall be volunteers but may employ staff who must be members but cannot hold any elected position in the Party.
7.02 The finances of the party shall be under the control of the Federal Executive and administered by the Treasurer. Cheques must be signed by at least two signatories. No signatory shall sign a cheque unless all details on the cheque are completed.
7.03 The finances of the party shall be audited.
7.04 The General Assembly may by special resolution remove a member from any elected position in the party on the grounds of bad character, misconduct, bringing the party into disrepute or is considered to be a political opponent, provided the member is given due notice and permitted to answer the charge in person at a meeting of the General Assembly. A motion to remove a member from any elected position in the shall be signed by at least 10 members.
7.05 At any time ten percent of the members or ten percent of the Branches may petition the Federal Executive to call an Extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly which petition shall include the agenda items. The Federal Executive shall send out the notice of meeting and voting papers within fourteen days of being petitioned to do so.
7.06 All disputes shall be resolved by the Federal Executive after hearing from all parties in a manner decided by the Federal Executive. In the event that there is a dispute or deadlock in the Federal Executive, this shall be resolved by resolution of the General Assembly.

8 Endorsement of Candidates

8.01 All candidates shall be endorsed by ballot at duly convened meetings at which the candidates are given a fair hearing.
8.02 Except for the Senate, candidates for all Federal elections shall be endorsed by the Branch, or in the event there is no Branch covering the Electorate, by the Federal Executive.
8.03 Senate candidates shall be endorsed by the General Assembly.
8.04 Candidates for State and Territory Elections or Local Government Elections shall be endorsed by Satellite Branches, or if there is not one in respect of the Electorate in question, then by the Branch which incorporates the Electorate, or, in the event that there is no Branch incorporating the Electorate, by the Federal Executive.
8.05 Before any candidate is endorsed an advertisement must be placed in a newspaper circulating in the Electorate and on the party’s web site calling for nominations and allowing at least 14 days to respond.
8.06 Branches or Satellite Branches may meet and endorse candidates at any time.
8.07 The endorsement ballot must satisfy the general principles of free and democratic elections which are –
• only members of the party who are electors may vote
• only members of the party who are eligible to vote in the ballot under the party’s constitution may vote
• each member has only one vote
• voting must be done by secret ballot
• a member must not be improperly influenced in voting
• a member’s ballot paper must be counted if the member’s intention is clear
• members’ votes must be accurately counted
• each person who is seeking selection may be present personally, or may be represented by another person, at the ballot and for the scrutiny, and counting, of votes.
8.08 Endorsed candidates may only have their endorsement removed by a resolution of a subsequent meeting of the Federal Executive, Branch or Satellite Branch which endorsed them. A motion to remove a candidate’s endorsement shall be signed by at least 10 members. No grounds need be specified but they may be.
8.09 It shall be a condition of endorsement that an endorsed candidate shall allocate voting preferences to the political party or individual as directed by the Federal Executive in respect of Federal Elections, the State or Territory Election Committee in respect of State or Territory Elections and the Local Government Election Committee in respect of Local Government Elections. A breach of such a direction shall be deemed to be misconduct for the purposes of paragraphs 5.07, 7.05 and 8.08.
8.10 The model procedures relating to endorsement of candidates contained in the Electoral Regulation 2002 (Qld) and all other States and Territories (as amended from time to time) where relevant are herby incorporated in this constitution.
8.11 An endorsed candidate who is elected to a Parliament or Council shall honestly and truly represent the will of the free people in the Electorate.

9 Meetings

9.01 A least 14 days notice of all meetings shall be given unless all entitled to attend waive this time.
9.02 There is no requirement that a member be financial in order to continue as a member or to vote at any meeting.
9.03 The chair at any meeting shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.
9.04 Except for endorsement ballots, votes shall be by show of hands which shall be counted to ascertain the vote.
9.05 Subject to paragraph 9.07, in order to vote a member must be present unless they are medically incapable of attending in which case they may vote by proxy upon production of a certificate signed by a Medical Practitioner deposing as to their incapability.
9.06 Resolutions require only a simple majority to be passed unless otherwise provided in this constitution as a special resolution which requires more than 75% majority.
9.07 Postal votes are permitted in respect of agenda items specifying concise written notices of motion capable of a concise vote provided the postal vote is signed by the member and witnessed by another member and the full name, address and membership number of both are stated.
9.08 All business conducted at Assemblies shall be on written notice. The Branches or Satellite Branches shall instruct their delegates as to how to debate and vote and the delegates shall abide by the instructions. A failure or refusal to act on such a direction shall be deemed to be misconduct for the purposes of paragraphs 5.07 and 7.05.

10 Amending Constitution

10.01 The Constitution and By Laws may only be amended by resolution of the General Assembly.

11 Winding Up

11.01 The party may be wound up by special resolution of the General Assembly.
11.02 In the event that the party is wound up for any reason the assets shall be donated to any Children’s Hospital in Australia at the discretion of the Federal Executive.

12 By Laws

12.01 The General Assembly may from time to time resolve to adopt or vary By Laws for the better management of the party.

13 Indemnity

13.01 The party indemnifies any member elected to any position within the party in respect of all legal claims where in the opinion of the Federal Executive (determined by resolution) the member has acted lawfully, reasonably and in good faith.

PREAMBLE