Hello everyone and welcome to the launch party for the Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice.  My name is Hammy Goonan and I'm one of the directors of the Centre.

I'd like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners and custodians of the land that we are meeting on tonight, the Wurundjeri people and the Kulin Nation.

It started with a bunch of do-gooders sitting in the comrades bar at Trades Hall, surrounded by the the history of resistance and empowerment, plotting to bring people back to the principles of Democracy and Justice.  It began as an angry vision and is now a movement of resistance, activism and advocacy.

Unfortunately the battle is mounting.  We believe, that in recent memory, there has never been a greater need for an organisation such as the Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice.  Our civil liberties are being eroded and will continue to be in a global environment where the ecological and human rights don't even register against the market forces that are manipulated to serve the needs of a privileged few.

We believe that all people should be equal and the only way to do this is to create a society that is deeply democratic.  To achieve this, the society must be a just one so that the broadest spectrum of people possible have access.  Access to basic food, water and shelter as well as access to health services, free education and access to the nodes of power that control the destinies of the communities we live in.  We have begun on this long journey but now we need your company, involvement and support.

Tonight is very much a launch party.  Resistance, activism and advocacy are all very important facets of a democratic society so it is important to celebrate them.  It's important to never forget to have fun – whether you win or loose the battle.

We just have a few thank yous that we really need to make as we wouldn't be here tonight if it wasn't for the help of a few wonderful people who have donated their time and done so largely out of the good faith that the Centre is a worthwhile initiative.

Firstly we need to thank all of you for being here tonight.  It is so wonderful to see so many people here, showing their support for this idea of ours.  And might I add how lucky we are, as an organisation, to have such incredibly attractive supporters.

Of course we also need to thank Co, Greg and all the staff here at Rrose Bar who do such a wonderful job.  They have taken us on free of charge so please be sure to by a drink or two to make it worth their while.

Tonight we are privileged to witness the triumphant return of DJ Jitterbug.  Its the first time he's played in Australia since returning from a massive residency at Fabric nightclub in London.*

Where also very fortunate tonight to witness the coming together of two of Australia's leading DJs: The Lab Raglan DJ Posse. Individually both Dewi Cooke and Richard Higgins are highly accomplished DJs and they have come together tonight to for a duo that will surely go on to rival the likes of Cold Cut, Herbaliser and the Invisible Scratch Pickles.**

We also need to thank Lukas Burke for all his help with the web page, Amy Johanson for all her design knowledge and putting up with my recalcitrant demands for various images. Theo Williams for the huge number of helpful hints and design matters that he has taken on including the flyer for tonight's party.  And finally Stuart Campbell for designing such a fantastic logo.

On a more personal note I would really like to thank my fellow directors: Simon McInerny, Nic Drever and Terry Johal.  Their input has been in credible and we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them.

Well be here until the wee hours of the morning and we hope you will be too.

Thank You.