Health Australia Party

10/07/2024

OUR LAST GOODBYE FROM HAP

As HAP says Goodbye to Health Australia Party supporters:

As you may have heard the party has now been officially de-registered by the VEC which means we are no longer a registered Party in any State, or Federally.

Although we didn’t get anyone elected, we got very close on more than one occasion, and more importantly our policies have had an impact upon bigger parties. Our goal was never political power for its own sake – it was always to create a more balanced public debate on medical and health options and extend the concept of health to the five pillars of our policy – healthy people; economy; environment; democracy and society.

At our first Federal election we gained an amazing 140,000 primary votes. Greens leader Richard DiNatale described us as ‘dangerous’ apparently due to the fact we supported a very simple idea that had been commonplace prior to ‘No Jab/No P(l)ay’ in 2016 – namely that people should be able to make the choice of medical and health approaches that best suits their individual needs and physiology. It is after all a cornerstone of medical ethics that treatment should be individualised because everyone’s physiology is different and some people have adverse reactions that can be life changing, or even ending. The ‘greater good’ arguments that were used to coerce people were meant to have gone out with Nuremburg.

The reality is that the Greens saw us as a threat and used their media allies to mercilessly attack us despite the fact that one of our founders had met with them and been assured that they respected our policies. We soon learned that this kind of hypocrisy is entirely routine in politics.

Post Covid many more people are questioning authoritarian and coercive approaches applied in the name of public health and the ‘greater good’ but we were doing it when it still created a media firestorm. The constant barrage of absurd media took its toll – there was a high burnout rate with our volunteers.

We also had a policy of trying to avoid public comment when people made unpleasant, unfair or absurd allegations about the party. We felt it inappropriate to get into public slanging matches, but with hindsight there are some things that we perhaps should have addressed.

We had lots of people join the party for the right reasons and for the most part we functioned respectfully and smoothly. Everyone was a volunteer which is always hard to balance with the pragmatic aspects of life. Sadly, right at the end, an individual who gained a position of trust attempted to appropriate the party name, brand and membership. As always, we did our best to keep it out of the public domain, but it did get messy and had a terrible impact upon long term members who not only realised the party no longer had the support needed to be viable, but that the disharmony created was totally out of character with how HAP had always functioned, and that HAP should be allowed to finish on a dignified and respected note.

Preferencing is another area that is never easy. You have to allocate preferences and as a minor party you need a decent preference flow to have any chance. So, it involves complex negotiations with people who you may have varying levels of sympathy for. And lots of deals get done on policy – parties will negotiate policy issues in return for preferences. We never did that. We tried to align with parties that had some degree of similarity on key policies, but we never agreed to modify our own for any preference deal.

We understand that in trying to retain a somewhat dignified public position when the mud was slinging there were many questions left unanswered and supporters may have been confused at times.

So where do you place your votes moving forward? It was always our view that where possible it made sense for smaller parties to merge if their policies aligned, as the minor party portion of the vote was being divided into such small pieces it was proving almost impossible to get anyone elected. We had hoped we would be able to announce that we had a deal in place with an established minor party but there have been some issues with how that has progressed to date.

Let’s just say it seems that The Libertarians (LDP); HEART Party (previously IMOP) and One Nation all seem to support the core idea of medical freedom. We suggest you research them thoroughly before making any decisions. There is also a new party seeking to get established: www. democracyfirst .org.au

We have decided to keep our website open for now so that people can still access the policies.

We hope to organise a final farewell event in Victoria in which you will be able to question two of the party founders and mingle with other people who contributed their energy to the party. If you are potentially interested in attending, probably in September when the weather is better, please email [email protected] to be placed on a notification list (numbers may be limited at venue). If a member from outside of Victoria would like to organise a gathering in their State please email [email protected] to discuss options.

Finally, we wish to thank you for your support – it has meant the world to us, but it is time to move on.

With best wishes

HAP Executive Committee

13/03/2024

A message from Dr Isaac Golden:

Dear HAP supporters,

Many of you know that I co-founded HAP in 2015 and have worked in various roles both Federally and in the Victorian State branch. Until recently, HAP was managed by dedicated volunteers who gave up massive amounts of time and energy and worked cooperatively. The National and State executives comprised both women and men who were unselfish, and there for the greater good.

The last election HAP contested was on 26/11/22 in Victoria, and the Victorian branch was the only remaining officially registered branch.

Early in 2023 the Victorian State Executive brought on three new members, all women, two of whom had been candidates in the 2022 election. however, one resigned after some months, and the third new member also stepped back from day-to-day activities because she felt unable to work with the other new Exec member, although she kept the website and membership records running, and I remained as State Treasurer and lodged the 2022/23 accounts accordingly. The goal was to give the 2 previous candidates a chance to volunteer and help run the Party, whilst injecting new energy.

It is important to note that I personally did not appoint any of the new Executive members as has been claimed elsewhere, they were appointed by the Executive.

As required by legislation, the VEC (Victorian Electoral Commission) scheduled a membership audit in late 2023 and the candidate who joined in 2023 said she would run the audit. I have been involved in AEC and VEC and WAEC membership full audits and they are demanding undertakings involving co-operation and hundreds of hours of work. But the 2023 audit was different - we only had to validate 50 people.

This audit failed, and we realised that we simply did not have the resources required to successfully complete a full audit (an option offered by the VEC), so we made the decision to gracefully retire HAP , leaving our policies on the website in case others would find them useful.

However, the new Executive member decided this was an opportunity to try to take over control of HAP, and the VEC rules allowed one final chance for a full audit. It should be noted that this new member only joined HAP just prior to the 2022 election because the VEC audit of her own Party had failed. It should also be remembered that two female members of the Executive had stepped aside in 2023 due to being unable to work with her. This person has limited history with HAP and has no right to claim the HAP name or its reputation. Defamatory and misleading statements made by this person following the failure of the 2024 brief audit confirmed this.

We deeply regret that the history of HAP has been tarnished by such unnecessary hostility, name-calling and unpleasantness. Most of you know full well this is NOT what HAP stood for.

We will provide updates on the HAP website and if you have any concerns or questions, please direct them to: [email protected]

Respectfully,
Dr Isaac Golden

23/02/2024

An important message for Health Australia Party supporters:

As you may be aware the HAP recently failed a VEC audit. The Executive, co-founders, and long-term office bearers began proceedings to wind down the party, leaving the policies online for those who wanted to understand what the party stood for. HAP contested many elections and although the party didn’t meet with electoral success, its integrity, values, and policies won many friends in more established parties.

Regrettably, a former member has exploited an administrative loophole to trigger a secondary audit with a view to co-opting the HAP name, brand, and membership. This individual had their membership revoked after a series of actions that clearly indicated they were not aligned with the party’s values or policies and wanted to co-opt the party for goals that are opposed to its core values. They have no claim whatsoever on the name, brand, policies, or history of the party. Like all small parties, HAP is dependent on volunteers and their offer to assist with aspects of the party’s routine activity and audit was initially accepted, and they were put in a role liaising with the VEC when the long-term incumbent needed to take a break. Although no longer a member they have used this position to trigger the secondary audit and the legitimacy of them holding this position despite not being a member cannot be resolved by the VEC until 29th March.

HAP therefore asks that supporters refrain from responding to VEC correspondence until the matter can be properly resolved on or following the 29th March.

We are aware that this former member has had access to an old supporter list as part of the audit process and we have been advised by supporters that they have been making unwanted calls, sometimes multiple times. HAP will never make an unsolicited call unless you request a callback. If you have anything you wish to report or any concerns please contact the party via this email: [email protected].

HAP will continue to update supporters. After almost a decade of harmonious effort towards common sense goals it is a shame that HAP has to be afflicted by this, but unfortunately attempts to take over minor parties is common, and HAP must not be used for anything that conflicts with its core values and policies.

Respectfully,
The Executive Team
Health Australia Party

13/01/2024

HAP recently failed to reach the very achievable target of 28 confirmed members from a sample list of 50 members as part of the re-registration process conducted by the VEC. After this failure, the Victoria State Executive were faced with difficult decisions regarding the future of HAP. Prior to the re-registration process, the party was on the edge of closing but proceeded with the re-registration process.

After the failure, there has been disagreement about the future of HAP between members of the HAP Executive, a process that we are trying to work through. We have been advised that an email has been sent to HAP members by one executive member without agreement from the majority of the executive. This email contains inaccurate, inappropriate, and potentially legally defamatory statements, and admits to breaches of executive confidentiality.

We apologise to members that you have been approached in this manner. We will continue to try and reach a resolution and advise further details as they become available. If HAP does close due to failing VEC audits we believe it should be done in a dignified manner, showing respect to the hard work undertaken by so many people since 2015, and in a way that leaves a legacy of sound policies for others to draw on if they wish, for the benefit of natural medicine in Australia.

HAP has always been and should always be about the wellbeing of all Australians, not the personal aspirations of individuals.

29/11/2023

🤔 Do others find it Interesting the Victorian Government is seriously considering legalising personal cannabis use, however, proven natural and herbal medicinal practices are considered an alternative health practice not supported or encouraged by https://www.ahpra.gov.au/

25/11/2023

Collaborative effort, energy and input is fundamental to helping Health Australia Party make a positive difference in our great state of Victoria moving forward…

28/10/2023

26/10/2023

HAP Victoria is needed to provide truth and balance to politics in Victoria, and your help is needed now by renewing or joining our party to make this happen.
Thank you🌹

24/10/2023

Good morning valued members, supporters & friends. Unfortunately our original plans to merger with IMOP/HEART Party haven’t worked out. However we are currently in audit mode and although this process is difficult the feedback from our members and supporters has been phenomenal.

HAP is now focused on our great State of Victoria and performing well in this next election.

We strongly believe HAP provides a common sense alternative in Victoria which we desperately need.

We are dedicated to harmonising diverse opinions, rather that continuing the divisive narratives that are destructive to our social and emotional wellbeing.

Whilst other parties can be polarising, our aim is to seek common ground as much as possible.

The VEC intend to audit our party and have allowed us until 10th November to renew and finalise our database. Therefore we humbly ask you to renew or join (provided your not already a member of another political party) ://www.healthaustraliaparty.com.au/ ASAP to help us remain a viable option on your next ballot paper.
Much love, appreciation & gratitude from The HAP Executive

10/10/2023

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.

Dear HAP member, friend or supporter,

You may be aware that HAP recently investigated the idea of merging with the Informed Medical Options Party (IMOP).

This initially seemed a promising option given the strong alignment with core values.

Upon careful consideration of all factors HAP has now made the decision not to proceed with the merger. This may disappoint some people, but it is the correct decision moving forward.

Since 2015 HAP has fought for human rights and opposed government over reach. We have come extremely close to achieving representation, and developed a strong reputation in the process. We will continue with these efforts of our limited resources moving forward and our core goal is to gain upper house representation.
Minor parties can only exist and function due to the tireless work of volunteers. If you feel you have something to contribute we urge you to get in contact.

HAP will continue working hard to gain representation, and build upon its strong reputation as a common sense party of values. More announcements will follow over coming days and weeks.

We appreciate continued unwavering support of our members, friends and followers as we move forward to a brighter future.

14/09/2023

Isaac looks behind the Green's self-congratulations regarding social housing to question whether the real impacts will harm the very people they are supposed to help, and examines two other areas where the Green's popularist polies have hurt Australians - power prices and Covid.