Dear Friends,

Hello and welcome to the Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice's second eBulletin for 2006.

Lobbyocracy: The Hypocrisy of Democracy
With the Federal Government threatening to raise the limit on disclosed donations from $1,500 to $10,000 there as never been a greater need to expose the corruption of political donations.

The Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice are using their second forum of the year to launch their campaign: www.lobbyocracy.org.

In this forum we will hear how influence is bought at the expense of our democracy through an unaccountable system of political donations.  The impacts of these activities are massive, and yet rarely discussed. They have lead to massive increases in election spending, the further alienating of smaller parties, fewer voices in our media, inappropriate development, a continuing reliance on the coal industry and much more.

Find out about the secret back room deals, how money is siphoned through front groups and the impact this has on our democracy.  Come and hear why Lobbyocracy is the Hypocrisy of Democracy.

You can download a flyer at http://democracyandjustice.org/images/lobbyocracy.pdf.

When: 7pm Tuesday 21st March 2006
Where: Evatt Room @ Trades Hall (cnr Lygon St and Victoria St Carlton)
Cost: $5 (Free for ACDJ members)

2. Get involved in the Lobbyocracy campaign

With the launch of the Lobbyocracy campaign we're looking to pull together a group of people to help keep up the pressure on governments to be more accountable when it comes to political donations. If you'd like to be part of the team please let us know.

Involvement will depend on who is involved and what they think is important so it is a great opportunity to get active and make a difference.

To get involved contact Hammy at hammyg@democracyandjustice.org

3. Membership - SPECIAL OFFER

Thanks to our friends at Ocean Press and Husta La Victoria St Bookshop we have 20 copies of The Emerging Police State by William Kunstler to give to the next 20 people that join up as members of the Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice. This book, valued at $23 is available to memberships which start from as low as $20 a year.

Our Membership scheme is three tiered, with students/concessions being $20, full price/waged $40, solidarity/household/organisation $100.

OurCommunity.com.au kindly processes our memberships and you can sign up at their site: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/membership/membership_details.form?membershipId=715

Alternatively you can print out a membership form at: http://www.democracyandjustice.org/images/Membership%20form.pdf and send it back to us.

Donations can also be made through the OurCommunity.com.au site at:
http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/acdj.

4. Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice T-Shirts now on Sale!

Sick of being a walking billboard for a nasty multinational corporation? Sick of wearing clothing made in conditions that constitute human rights abuses? Stuck for ideas for Christmas presents and don't want to give all your hard earned dollars to corporate bully boys that hardly need more money? Concerned about how attractive you are?

We've just the thing for you. Stylish, no-sweat, Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice T-Shirts. For a meager $25 (inc Postage and Handling) you can be the hippest person on the block and all money made goes straight to your favorite non-profit: The Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice.

Order forms are available at:
http://www.democracyandjustice.org/images/tshirts.pdf or just send us an email and we'll fix you up.

5. Other events

If you’d like your event included in this list please email us at centre@democracyandjustice.org with “eBulletin” in the subject.