The Australian Democrats (Queensland Division) Incorporated is an
incorporated association, located in
Queensland under the ''Incorporated Associations Act'' 1981.
Founding
The founding of the Australian Democrats (Queensland Division) may be traced to 19 June 1977, when a meeting was held at the Dendy Theatre in
Fortitude Valley, to discuss the setting up of a state division of the newly formed
Australian Democrats. Dr
Michael Macklin
Michael John Macklin (born 25 February 1943 in London) is an English-born former Australian Franciscan friar, educator and fundraiser who was an Australian Democrats senator for Queensland (1981–1990). He later served as executive dean of th ...
, then a lecturer in education at 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
Section 118 is a crucial element of the Constitution of Australia, as it provides for the validity of state laws, legal entities and court judgments within a federal Commonwealth, and thereby allows the Commonwealth of Australia itself to function ...
, incorporation means that the registration of the Queensland Division as an association is recognised as valid throughout Australia, notwithstanding its lack of registration as a political party.
Political representation
Previous political representatives have been, in chronological order: Dr
Michael Macklin
Michael John Macklin (born 25 February 1943 in London) is an English-born former Australian Franciscan friar, educator and fundraiser who was an Australian Democrats senator for Queensland (1981–1990). He later served as executive dean of th ...
,
Cheryl Kernot,
Andrew Bartlett
Andrew John Julian Bartlett (born 4 August 1964) is an Australian politician, social worker, academic, and social campaigner who served as a Senator for Queensland from 1997 to 2008 and from 2017 to 2018. He represented the Australian Democrats ...
the Rev.
John Woodley and
John Cherry,
each of whom was elected to the Senate. Senator Kernot was elected as national parliamentary leader of the Australian Democrats; as was Senator Bartlett. Macklin served a period as interim leader.
Structure
Under Queensland legislation governing incorporated associations, the Queensland Democrats are governed by a democratically elected management committee along lines consistent with traditional processes of the historical Queensland Division prior to the national deregistration
The Australian Democrats (federal status)
/ref> of the Australian Democrats in 2015.
References
External links
*
See also
{{Portal, Queensland, Politics
* List of political parties in Australia
Political parties in Queensland
Politics of Queensland
1977 establishments in Australia
Political parties established in 1977