User:Dennis Stevenson
The account of this former contributor was not re-activated after the server upgrade of March 2022.
Dennis Stevenson was a parliamentary Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. He served two 3 year terms from 1989 to 1995, thereafter deciding to leave to do more lecturing, writing and training community groups in Australia and elsewhere, on taking effective democratic action.
Dennis was a Dependent Member (a term he coined to show that all elected representatives have simple and binding obligations), being dependent on the requirements of the Commonwealth Constitution and, unless the matter was unconstitutional, the majority expressed will of his Canberra electorate. In parliament, he voted accordingly.
Mr Stevenson discovered the people's will by extensive public polling. He used a new polling method he developed with like-minded individuals, that was unbiased, quick, inexpensive and accurate - being evaluated by the Australia Bureau of Statistics as having at least 99% accuracy.
During his two parliamentary terms, Dennis rejected the use of a new car, excessive superannuation deal and was the only Member to vote against an exorbitant 40% pay rise.
From 1965 he served in the NSW Police Force, resigning in 1973 to travel overseas and study applied philosophy. During that same period he served part-time in the Citizens Military Forces’ 19 Royal NSW Regiment, coming first in both the Intelligence and Sergeants' training courses. Most of his seven years service involved training Intelligence Section personnel.
His travels included the trans-Siberian train journey and some 30 other countries.
During his parliamentary service, he was a Member of the ACT government Fluoridation Inquiry (1989-91). The majority of Inquiry Members would not report evidence from world-wide submissions proving fluoridation to be harmful, undemocratic, ineffective and polluting. Thereupon, Dennis compiled a 177 page Dissenting Report, being the major part of the Inquiries Final Report of 296 written pages.
Dennis introduced a proposed law to parliament for Binding Citizen’s Initiated Referendums (BCIR). It was similar to the long established Swiss model whereby electors can, by way of initiating and voting at a referendum, veto existing or proposed laws, introduce new laws and recall (remove) public servants who have lost public confidence.
Dennis has campaigned against psychiatric abuse in Australia and the UK, and for a short time, was UK National Campaign Director of the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights.
His first main job was in the photographic section of an Aerial Survey Company involved in making maps. He was a Company Director, has operated health centres and trained people in sales, marketing, public speaking and motivation. He has worked as a life coach, business consultant, counsellor and labourer.
His community training covers strategy, polling, creating and running a group, disseminating your message, running meetings and rallies, raising funds, and recruiting, training and motivating people and - having given thousands of interviews - handling media.