Celebrating democracy

Something very exciting happened this week.

I am a GetUp member, and we were happy to support the High Court case brought by GetUp to challenge the validity of a law brought in by the previous government, which had the effect of disenfranchising a lot of people -mostly young people voting for the first time-from voting in an election if they did not manage to get on the electoral roll within 24 hours of the poll being called. We took a court case and ....we won! It is estimated that there may be up to 100,000 people who will be able to vote as a result, in the next election, due in 2 weeks' time.

Have a look at the story here.

I do believe that the cause of Simple Living is one which does not just relate to growing veggies, cooking from scratch or living frugally. It also encompasses contributing to the community in which we live. GetUp is a new way of doing this.

On Tuesday next I will be participating in a silent vigil organised by GetUp and others, to highlight the plight of the mentally ill in our society, in the run up to the election. I am making a sign which I will carry which will say:
"immigration detention causes mental illness".

If you are a local Perth resident, please feel free to join us.

A candlelit vigil will take place in the Perth CBD on Tuesday 10 August commencing at 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start. Concerned members of the public are invited to gather at Stirling Gardens, on the corner of Barrack St and St Georges Terrace, Perth. The group plans to do a silent walk through the gardens. There will be speakers and singing.

The Vigil is being planned by a coalition of individuals and community groups. It supports the call by Professor Patrick McGorry for national mental health reform.

The vigil will be conducted to remember those who’ve been lost, and those who still suffer needlessly because of the inadequate mental health care system. Simultaneous vigils will occur in public places across Australia, including a similar event at ‘The Gap’ which will be led by Professor McGorry.

People who attend are being asked to bring warm clothes, candles, banners and pictures of loved ones affected by our failing mental health system. This is a non-partisan event, calling on all political candidates to make mental health reform a priority.