A MELBOURNE Cup’s field of contenders has lined up for the opportunity to be the next federal member for Canning.
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Among the 12 candidates, seven are from minor parties that don’t always attract the media spotlight.
The Pirate Party’s candidate Michelle Allen isn’t surprised voters are interested in her party’s name, but insists it’s well chosen.
She said the name came about because her party, who’s slogan is “vote like a pirate”, opposes the mainstream culture of politics.
“Pirates go against the norm,” she said.
“And we actually think up our policies instead of using knee jerk reactions.
“We try to encourage policy that is backed by science that will protect human rights and civil liberties.”
She said the Pirate Party, which was formed in Europe by activists supporting the Pirate Bay file sharing website, promoted copyright reform and opposed censorship.
“Essentially, you’re being spied on when you’re not doing anything wrong; we’d vote to oppose that.”
Greg Smith, from the Australian Defence Veterans Party, said he was standing in the byelection to get a better deal for defence and emergency services veterans.
“Our core reason for existing is to fight for defence people and also emergency service workers,” he said.
He said he was fed up with the two-party system of politics.
“There’s a deception that goes on, a lack of transparency, we want to change,” he said.
“If there’s something there that the electorate doesn’t want, go with the electorate.”
Angela Smith from the Sustainable Population Party wants the world’s population to stay the same.
“Our population is not sustainable, and as every farmer knows there is something called carrying capacity,” she said.
“We live in a dry country.
“The government wants to double the population of this area by 2050 and there is no plan to cater for those people.”
She disagreed with those who maintain her party is racist.
“If your attitude is ‘eff off we’re full’, then don’t vote for me,” she said.
Other minor parties running candidates in the byelection are the Liberal Democrats, the Animal Justice Party, the Family First Party and Australian Christians.
For a complete list of candidates and their contact details, go to the Australian Electoral Commission's website.