By Helen Said,
Autistic advocate, Melbourne Australia
Autistics and
our allies have a powerful voice and this is the time to use it. For Autism rights, let’s keep Peter Dutton’s
conservative, anti-diversity hire, pro-nuclear Liberal Party out of government. It’s vitally important that Australia does not go down the path of the United States at our upcoming federal election in May.
We need a
government committed to equity, the environment and reducing the cost of living.
We, the 99% who are not billionaires, can get that government by either
a)
following the Australian Labor Party how
to vote card on both ballot papers - the easiest way to vote - or
b)
Voting 1 for a progressive small party / independent
(eg Greens, Socialists, Teals) and
Voting 2 for Labor, numbering every square on the green ballot
paper.
If you choose
your own voting order on the green ballot paper
* Put the
Liberal Party (or National Party Coalition partner) third-last
* Put transphobic
billionaire Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots (or other ultra-conservatives,
eg the gun-happy Freedom Party) second-last
* Put the racist,
Autism-phobic Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party (or local neo-Nazis) LAST.
·
Number every square on the small green
ballot paper (House of Reps, Lower House)
·
Vote above the line only on the large
white ballot paper, numbering at least 6. (Senate or Upper House). But if you
prefer to vote for individuals rather than parties, then you can vote below the
line only on the large white paper, numbering at least 12.
If you are over
18, check your enrolment details on the Australian Electoral Commission website.
If your name is not there, enrol to vote
now. If you have difficulty with transport or access to polling booths, or with
the sensory or social aspects of attending a polling booth, you can apply for a
postal vote.
If you prefer
to vote in person but want to avoid crowds, you can do a pre-poll in the
fortnight leading up to election day, or vote early in the morning on election
day. Not all polling places are wheelchair accessible, so check ahead if needed.
A support person can go into the booth ahead of you, explain your disability to
the Electoral Officer, and ask if you can avoid waiting in the queue to vote.
If you vote in
person, you cannot avoid the crowd of campaigners outside the polling booth,
handing out how to vote cards and calling out their party’s name. I am one such
campaigner and I wear the red Labor Party T-shirt, call out in a loud voice and
pace up and down. I use my best social scripting in trying to promote Labor,
and I have done it for so many years that it comes out quite naturally now.
Even the most extroverted neurotypicals start to sound like they are social
scripting by the end of a 3-hour volunteering stint, outside a polling booth,
saying the same thing over and over to the crowds. So it’s quite OK to deal
with these campaigners through using your own social scripting, eg by taking
each card and giving a nod, or by declaring, “I know who I’m voting for”,
keeping your gaze fixed straight ahead and keeping your hands in your pockets.
It can be
easier for Autistics to apply to the Australian Electoral Commission to receive
a postal vote, and you are entitled to a postal vote on disability grounds. If
you will be away from home on voting day, apply for a postal vote or go to any
other polling booth and ask to do an absentee vote.
If you need
support to cast your vote, you can bring a support person with you to the
polling booth, ask an Electoral Officer at the booth for help, or have a
support person help you with your postal vote at home. Make sure your support
person explains things thoroughly and respects your viewpoint and voting
intention. Make sure you both understand the envelope and signature
arrangements and send the voting papers back on time to be counted. Voting is
compulsory for all Australian Citizens over the age of 18, and you can be fined
for not voting.
If a carer/parent
has removed you from the electoral roll under “unsound mind” provisions,
because you have an intellectual disability or mental health issue, consider
gaining medical evidence that positively demonstrates you can understand the
electoral system, and the significance of voting, so you can get your voting
rights back in time to vote against Peter Dutton. Your vote is powerful and we
need your voice.
Most of all,
get informed before you cast your vote. Look at the issues that matter to you and
decide which party deserves your vote.
Health
– Labor created Medicare and Anthony Albanese will make most doctor visits free
VS Peter Dutton who was voted “the worst health minister in living memory,” in
an Australian Doctor magazine poll
Education
– Labor consistently supports affordable government schools. Anthony Albanese has
expanded subsidised early childhood education and made vocational TAFE course
free VS Peter Dutton, who wants to cut fee-free TAFE
Environment
– Labor is expanding renewable energy VS Peter Dutton’s plan for massively
expensive and polluting nuclear power
Employment
and Housing – Labor introduced the Future Made in Australia Bill and
will build 1.2 million homes over the next 5 years
Discrimination
– Labor introduced Equal Opportunities legislation VS Peter Dutton who opposes
diversity hiring schemes. Dutton also walked out on the historic Apology to the
Stolen Generation and scapegoats migrants and refugees.
Trans
people – Dutton voted “no” to same sex marriage and hints at opposing
trans women in sports. When he backs off, it’s not because he has changed his
mind; it is because he is reading the mood of the electorate and trying not to
stuff up his chances of becoming prime minister.
Living
standards – Labor has worked to limit the impact of global inflation on
ordinary Australians. Labor amended the stage 3 tax cuts and supported cost of
living wage increases for poorer workers VS Peter Dutton who has voted against
every one of these cost of living measures.
Labor isn’t
perfect and I joined the Labor Party with my eyes open. Labor historically represents
the aspirations of working people for a better deal. Before each Victorian
Labor Party meeting, we read an Indigenous acknowledgement and the Labor Values
statement, which says
Victorian Labor values achieving social justice,
fairness, inclusion and equality. The Party is a collective cause and larger
than any individual. We value honesty and integrity, and seek to ensure that
the Party is a safe, inclusive and respectful environment.
We are proud of our deep roots and history in the
labour movement. We support workers organising in union to achieve justice,
fairness and equity. Our members, volunteers and supporters are our greatest
assets.
Prejudice and discrimination — including sexism,
racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia — have no place in our party.
We celebrate the diversity of our Party.
We support one another because we are stronger
together.
This is Labor.
Comments
Post a Comment