Australian Democrats farewell federal parliament

by Maireid Sullivan | June 27, 2008 at 08:16 pm

264 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

It is a very sad day in Australian politics, as the Democrats are no more! Senators Stott Despoja, Bartlett, Allison and Murray will be sorely missed. I hope they will consider becoming Independents. See more about them here. –

A 30-year chapter in federal politics ends today when the Australian Democrats make their official exit from the Senate.

Leader Lyn Allison, Natasha Stott Despoja, Andrew Bartlett and Andrew Murray will take their seats in the Senate for one last time before bowing out when parliament breaks for the winter recess this evening.

The Democrats are leaving the parliament with a warning that their departure will leave the nation's democracy weaker.

The new Senate will be the first without Democrats representation since Don Chipp formed the party in 1977, famously promising to "keep the bastards honest".