The Together Party Explained
| The Together Party |
| Colorcode: | - 731a54
|
| Colors: | Purple & Yellow |
| Abbreviation: | Together |
| Founder: | Mark Swivel |
| Slogan: | Rebuilding our Common Wealth |
| Ideology: | Social democracy |
| Position: | Centre-left |
| Country: | Australia |
The Together Party was an Australian political party founded in 2018. It advocated policies to restore "Government in the public interest".[1]
Founder Mark Swivel is a lawyer, performer and writer based in Mullumbimby, New South Wales. He is the company secretary at Enova Energy, and an Ambassador for the microfinance non-profit Good Return.[2] He is one of the party's three candidates for senators to represent New South Wales at the 2019 Australian federal election.[3]
History
The Together Party was registered on 4 April 2019.[4] The 550 minimum initial membership requirement was met within a period of several weeks through word-of-mouth on social media.
The Together Party fielded three candidates to represent New South Wales in the Australian Senate at the 2019 Australian federal election: Mark Swivel,[5] Belinda Kinkead,[6] engineer, and Kate McDowell,[7] writer and performer. The party polled 6,127 votes, a total of 0.13% of the state's Senate vote.[8]
The party was deregistered on 30 June 2021 for failing to meet the requirements of having 500 members.[9]
Manifesto
The Together Party says it campaigns for the restoration of Government in the public interest, as a constructive force for positive change across Australian society.[10]
Policies
The Together Party says it has policies that aim to make three broad changes:[10]
- Re-prioritise taxation and government spending to better invest in education, renewables, small business, health, and climate.
- Bolster the people's voice, agency for Indigenous Australians, NGOs, the arts, the representation of women in parliament, workers’ rights, and corporate social responsibility.
- Build greater accountability in government through transparent governing (including dealings with businesses, consultants, lobbyists), strengthening the public service, re-nationalising failing NGO service providers, establishing anti-corruption and water allocation watchdogs, and moving Australia towards becoming a republic.
Notes and References
- Web site: Government can and must be for the people and the planet . The Together Party . 15 April 2019 . en-AU.
- Web site: Board of Directors . Enova Energy . 17 April 2019.
- News: Would you vote to make Australia 'slightly better than average again?' . ABC North Coast . Joanne . Shoebridge . Bruce . MacKenzie . 13 April 2019 . 16 April 2019.
- Web site: Registration of a political party The Together Party . Australian Electoral Commission . 15 April 2019.
- Web site: Mark Swivel . The Together Party . 17 April 2019.
- Web site: Belinda Kinkead . The Together Party . 17 April 2019.
- Web site: Kate McDowell . The Together Party . 17 April 2019.
- Web site: First preferences by Senate group: New South Wales . AEC Tally Room . Australian Electoral Commission . 2 July 2021.
- Web site: Australian Electoral Commission. 30 June 2021. Notice of deregistration: The Together Party. 28 July 2021.
- Web site: TOGETHER. A party dedicated to Rebuilding our Common Wealth. . The Together Party . 16 April 2019 . en-AU.
