Constitution
Download Senator Online's constitution (74bk)
IDENTITY & NAME
1.1 The name of the Party is Senator Online, hereinafter referred to as "SOL".
1.2 This constitution identifies the principles governing the conduct of the Party's affairs.
1.3 This constitution can only be changed by a resolution, which is supported by 80% of votes in favour of that resolution.
1.4 The party shall abide by all relevant laws including electoral and association laws.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE
2.1 SOL is a political party independent of any other group in the community.
2.2 In politics many decisions are made in accordance with political pressure, doing deals or vocal minorities. SOL will stand candidates to give a specific voice to the majority view. SOL's premise is that the majority (but certainly not all) of Australians are logical, considerate and compassionate and given access to unbiased and concise information would be a valuable input to any government decision. Accordingly, there should be a specific and separate voice given to the majority view in the Senate.
2.3 SOL will only run candidates for the Senate. SOL aim is to be an independent voice of the majority in the upper house of parliament.
2.4 SOL will utilize the internet to enable the vast majority of the population the opportunity (as far as practicable) to vote on every bill put to the Senate and will stand candidates who support SOL's platform.
2.5 SOL will, as far as practicable, for every bill put to the Senate summarize the arguments in a fair unbiased and concise manner. An online poll will be conducted in which all SOL members and Poll members who have access to the internet can vote for or against the proposed Bill.
2.6 SOL Executive Committee will determine the party view based on the online poll. Where the poll in respect of a particular Bill indicates a clear majority view of SOL's Members and Poll Members (see 3.5) then this will be the party view, if the poll indicates a close majority then the Executive Committee will determine (by majority) whether to vote in accordance with the poll or abstain. The Executive Committee will determine the party view where the number of members and Poll members voting is less than 100,000. The Executive Committee may disregard the poll results if the Executive Committee believe that the poll has been significantly and unduly influenced by an organised minority group.
2.7 SOL's parliamentarians are required to vote in accordance with the party view as decided by the Executive Committee.
2.8 A clear majority will be considered to be if more than 70% have voted in one direction and a close majority will be considered to be 55%-70% in one direction.
MEMBERSHIP
3.1There are four categories of members.
3.2 Foundation members will be those that:
- fill in and submit to the party a SOL membership form,
- are accepted by a resolution of the Initial Executive Committee,
- and join prior to SOL lodging an application to register a political party with the Australian Electoral Commission.
Foundation members have no membership fees and have the same rights as senior members,
- and are accepted by a resolution of the Initial Executive Committee.
3.3 Ordinary members will be those that:
- fill in and submit to the party a SOL membership form,
- pay, by cheque, the fee as prescribed by the Executive Committee,
- where requested complete a Statutory Declaration (in a form provided by the party) which will detail all current and past organizations that the applicant is or has been associated with (including but not limited to Political groups, Religious groups and Action groups),
- and are accepted as a member by a resolution of the Executive Committee.
Cheques will not be banked until after an application for membership is approved by the Executive Committee. Presentation of a cheque will be acknowledgement that the application was approved.
Ordinary membership needs to be renewed annually by paying the then prescribed fee. Each Ordinary member gets one vote for each year they have been a member. For example an Ordinary member that has recently paid their third annual membership fee will be entitled to three votes at any SOL Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Special General Meeting (SGM).
Ordinary membership will be limited to 1,000 persons. Once Ordinary membership reaches 1,000 then no new Ordinary members will be accepted until Ordinary Membership falls below 1,000. This may be as a result of resignation, non payment of the annual fee or Ordinary members achieving Senior member status.
3.4 Senior members are those that have been Ordinary members 10 years or more. Senior members will have 10 votes at any SOL AGM or SGM, will not be required to pay any further membership fees. Senior members are members for life. There is no limit on the number of Senior members.
3.5 Poll members will be those that complete an SOL online membership form and have their identity validated. Poll members have no membership fees but are not entitled to vote at a SOL AGM or SGM. Poll members will be notified by email of acceptance of their application of membership. Foundation, Ordinary and Senior members can also be registered as Poll members.
3.6 All members must not be members of any other Australian political party.
3.7 All members must be 17 years or over and on or eligible to join the Australian electoral roll. Poll members must be recorded on the Australian Electoral Roll.
3.8 Only Poll members are entitled and encouraged to vote in respect to Online polls (every member is entitled to only one vote in each online poll).
3.9 The Executive Committee may refuse to register any member or expel any member if it believes that the member does not have the interests of the Party at heart or if the Executive Committee believes that a member application or member is part of a stacking exercise.
3.10 No person may be accepted as a member if convicted of a disqualifying electoral offence within the previous ten years.
3.11 If a current member is convicted of an electoral offence during their period of membership that membership is immediately terminated.
PROXIES
4.1 In respect of SOL AGM's or SGM's a member shall be entitled to appoint a natural person to attend and vote on their behalf. Proxies must be lodged with the Secretary at least 48 hours prior to the AGM or SGM to be valid Proxy voting in respect of Online Bill polls is not permitted.
4.2 Proxies are not permitted in respect of Online polls.
RESIGNATION
5.1 A person may resign from membership of the Party by giving written notice to the Party Secretary.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
6.1 SOL has an Executive Committee of a maximum of 10 members plus any sitting SOL Senators and a minimum of 3 members, being Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. A member of the Executive Committee may hold more than one role. The Initial Executive Committee will be Berge Der Sarkissian (Chairman & Secretary), Sue Cluss (Deputy Chairman) and Matthew Der Sarkissian (Treasurer).
6.2 All office bearers and Executive Committee members are appointed by majority vote at a SOL AGM or SGM. The term of the appointment shall be five years. Sitting SOL Senators will be deemed Executive Committee members.
6.3 If the Executive Committee falls below three members the remaining members may appoint new members (with the Chairman having any casting vote, if needed).
6.4 Three members of the Executive Committee will form a quorum.
6.5 The Secretary shall notify the Executive Committee of all meetings with at least 24 hours notice.
6.6 Attendance by telephone shall be treated as if attendance were in person.
6.7 The Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Committee is to direct, organize and co-ordinate the policies, functions and administration of the party.
6.8 All decisions of the Executive Committee will be determined by a majority view (with the Chairman having any casting vote, if needed)
6.9 All members of the Executive Committee are voluntary and unpaid positions with reasonable expenses for duties undertaken paid for by SOL funds.
SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIONS
7.1 Selection of candidates to stand for Senate seats is made by the Executive Committee. The Chairman having a casting vote if required.
7.2 Nominees for candidates must be available for an interview by the Executive Committee.
7.3 Nominees for candidates would understand and accept that SOL senators would have been elected on the basis of the SOL platform and as such are required to vote in accordance with that platform and publicly advocate it. Accordingly, SOL senators are to vote in accordance with the direction of the Executive Committee. SOL does not allow its parliamentarians to exercise a conscience vote.
7.4 Nominees for candidates must understand and accept that if elected as a Senator that although they have the right to resign from the party that they would resign the senator seat beforehand.
7.5 Nominees for candidates would be required to give a signed undertaking to reflect the their understanding and commitments as outlined in 7.3 & 7.4.
ACCOUNTS AND ACCOUNTING
8.1 All funds are to be paid into a bank account in the name of the party.
8.2 All withdrawals are required to have two of the Executive Committee member's signatures.
8.3 The treasurer will keep proper records in accordance with accepted accounting principles. Asset & Liabilities and Income & Expenses reports are to be produced annually and presented to the next AGM or SGM within four months after 30 June each year.
8.4 Membership fees for Ordinary members are set for 2007 at $20 per person for one year.
8.5 The annual membership fee may be varied by a decision of the Executive Committee without amendment to this constitution. No such decision shall be retrospective.
MEETINGS
9.1 The Executive Committee shall cause an Annual General Meeting of SOL to be held as near as possible to twelve months and no more than sixteen months from the date of the last Annual General Meeting.
9.2 Special General Meetings shall be held as required or called for by written request of 500 members or by the Executive Committee.
9.3 Members shall be given a minimum of fourteen days notice of the date and location of AGM's or any other SGM.
9.4 Email or a prominent posting on the SOL website (www.senatoronline.org.au) detailing the location, date, time and agenda of any meeting shall be deemed sufficient notice of any AGM or special meeting.
9.5 The Executive Committee may hold closed meetings for policy and campaign purposes.
MINUTES
10.1 Proper minutes of all proceedings of SOL shall be entered within one month after the relevant meeting in minute books kept for that purpose.
10.2 The minutes kept pursuant to this rule shall be signed by the chair of the meeting at which the proceedings took place or by the chair of the next successive meeting.
10.3 Where minutes are entered and signed they shall until the contrary is proved, be evidence that the meeting was convened and duly held, that all proceedings held at the meeting shall be deemed to have been duly held, and that all appointments made at a meeting shall be deemed to be valid.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
11.1 The Chairman is the only authorised spokesperson for SOL.
11.2 All press releases, advertising and media interviews are expressly to be authorised by the Chairman.
11.3 The Chairman may nominate any person, as spokesperson in general or limited to a specified issue or for a limited time. This would normally be restricted to others of the Executive Committee or a senator candidate.
11.4 The Chairman may similarly authorise a pubic relations consultant or nominated media spokesperson with the approval of the Executive Committee.
MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
12.1 Communication will be via email and the website.
12.2 Minutes from the AGM's or SGM's will be published on the Web site.
12.3 Any direction or appropriate information from the Executive Committee will be sent to all members via email and posted on the Website.
WINDING UP
13.1 At the request of 10% of then members or at the Executive Committee's sole discretion a special meeting may be called to wind up SOL.
13.2 A vote of 80% of attending members is required to formally wind up the party.
13.3 In the event of the organization being wound up, any SOL funds after the satisfaction of all debts, and sale of assets shall be donated to a registered charity at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
DEFINITIONS
Clear Majority means a vote of more than 70%.
Close Majority means a vote of between 55-70%.
AGM Annual General Meeting.
SGM Special General Meeting.
Member means a person who is correctly enrolled as a member of the Party.
Party (the) means the Senator Online Party.
Proxy is a written and signed authority given by one member to another person to vote on their behalf at nominated AGM or SGM. The proxy must specify the manner in which the proxy is to be voted.
Website/Web Address will be: www.senatoronline.org.au
