Media Release: 20 March, 2003 HOW-TO-VOTES AND POLITICIANS BANNED FROM NSW PRISONS
Both the Greens and Reform the Legal System parties have asked and been refused permission to inform voters inside the states prisons on their policies. This extends to a ban on the distribution of all how-to-votes and a proposed meeting with prisoner representatives before the election at the MRRC and Mulawa prisons. A how-to-vote edition of the magazine Framed, carrying special statements from the Democrats, Greens, Liberals and Reform the Legal System parties, addressed to prisoners, families and community; has also been refused access. It had been accepted by the State Electoral Office. (pdf at http://www.justiceaction.org.au) The NSW Department of Corrective Services, as part of a continuing move to seal off prisons from outside communities has stopped all political material from entering. It has told enquirers that this is old policy but that is untrue. We have a media release from Commissioner Keliher dated 24th March 1999 just before the last election, saying: "All correctional centres must accept leaflets, how-to-vote cards or posters from political parties and place this information in inmate areas, such as the gaol library or an amenities area." This new prison policy is unconstitutional and directly contradicts the freedom "necessary for the effective operation of the system of representative and responsible government provided for in the Constitution.." ((1997) 146 ALR 107-8) The freedom protects communication that enables voters to exercise a true choice with "an opportunity to gain an appreciation of the available alternatives" (Lange (1997) 189 CLR 520 560). At the previous election 38% of prisoners were entitled to vote. It may well be that the votes of prisoners could have been crucial to the result of some seats. comments: Brett Collins 0438 705003 Justice Action Lee Rhiannon (Geoff Ash) 9519 0877 or 0417 297417 Peter Breen 0419 985145 Justice Action 65 Bellevue St, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia P.O. Box 386, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia [EMAIL PROTECTED] voice: 61-9660 9111 fax: 61-9660 9100 Please log into the Justice Action Web site, designed and sponsored by Breakout Design & Print, exercising good corporate citizenship: http://www.justiceaction.org.au .. -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
