A record number of parties have registered ahead of this year’s election. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be digging into the newest entrants to political thunderdome. First up, is the Smokers Rights Party.
Given the comprehensive name, it’s easy to guess what this party is about.
What may be surprising is that party convener Clinton Mead, is a non-smoker and so are several party members.
“The party first started around two years ago by a few people who thought the restrictions on smokers seemed to be excessive and ever increasing,” Mead said.
“Politicians have a hard enough time looking after their own behaviour let alone dictating what everyone else should do, so we thought the best way to highlight this issue was to start a political party.”
Securing the 500 members last month in time to register for this year’s election, Smokers’ Rights bypassed traditional campaigning methods and delved into the technological world to lure followers.
“Most of our recruitment was done online mainly through Facebook. We’ve got about 11,000 people in our Facebook group and 500 members signed up,” Mead said.
The party assures us they receive no money from tobacco companies, relying purely on its dedicated team to fund and operate.
Australian Smokers' Rights Party: http://t.co/qBmrLyIIpp http://t.co/VWYdmvO6WH
— Mikhail Golubev 🇺🇦 (@mikhail_golubev) February 26, 2013
Party Policies
Reduce tobacco excise
Taxation on cigarettes in Australia is excessive and not justified by public health costs.
“Figures from the National Drug Survey indicate you could reduce excise to 10% of it’s current level and still cover health costs, it’s unfair to people,” said Mr Mead.
Abolishing plain packaging
Plain packaging will not reduce smoking, as lack of brand recognition will remove any incentive to produce safer cigarettes.
“This unprecedented move won’t achieve much except support organised crime, by removing legal products brand recognition. It will be a race to the bottom for the cheapest, dirtiest cigarettes.”
Repealing private property restrictions
Private property owners should decide whether smoking is allowed on their property, not the government.
“We would retain the laws for smoking bans, but give owners the choice to opt out. It’s your business and shouldn’t be stopped by the government.”
Despite the party being incredibly unlikely to receive any major party preferences, the SRP are still optimistic about its influence on the election.
“I think we will do a lot better than people expect from a party that has just come on the scene. On this issue people have nowhere else to go with Labor, the Coalition and the Greens all on the same side.”
“Next election with three years to build the party up, we will have a serious chance of a Senate seat. But who knows, if we get the name out there we might get one this election.”
The Smokers Rights Party will have candidates running in every state at this years election, for more details visit their website or Facebook.
Bridget Rollason is a Bachelor of Journalism student and upstart’s Fashion and Lifestyle editor. You can follow her on Twitter: @Didgeriedoo.
