Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews Party Explained

The Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews Party (RDSD), also known as Sack Dan Andrews Restore Democracy, was an Australian political party founded in 2022 by Tosh-Jake Finnigan, an openly transgender whistleblower, over the Labor Party's so-called 'red shirts rorts' scandal.^[1] The party was formed in opposition to then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.^{[2] [3]}

History

Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews was registered by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) as a political party on 28 October 2022, after applying for registration on 18 August 2022.^[4]

On 16 November 2022, Australian Values Party leader Heston Russell leaked a video to the Herald Sun of him to talking to Glenn Druery about a potential preference deal.^[5] In the video, Druery claims that he controls a number of minor parties and that Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews is "one of mine".^[6] Finnigan denied the allegations and said Druery had "fuck all involvement" in setting up the party.^[7]

At the 2022 Victorian state election, RDSD received 0.83% of the statewide legislative council vote. Finnigan ran in the Western Victoria Region and was unsuccessful at getting elected.

In January 2023, Finnigan was elected via a countback to the Colac Otway Shire Council.^[8]

The party was deregistered in December 2023, three months after Andrews resigned as premier, after it "failed to provide up to date information and documents" to the VEC.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Currently registered parties . . . 3 April 2023 . 31 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221031061610/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/candidates-and-parties/registered-political-parties/currently-registered-parties . live .
2. Web site: Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews Party founder becomes Victoria's first openly trans councillor . 19 January 2023 .
3. Web site: Offer . Kaitlyn . Who is in Victoria's Legislative Council . 14 December 2022 . The Canberra Times . 3 April 2023 . 13 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913020925/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8019376/who-is-in-victorias-legislative-council/ . live .
4. Web site: No. G 33 Thursday 18 August 2022 . Victoria Government Gazette . 3 April 2023 . 2 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302131927/http://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2022/GG2022G033.pdf . live .
5. Web site: Daniel Andrews' chief of staff met with election fixer . Herald Sun . 9 July 2024 . 18 November 2022 . The lead candidate of the Restore Democracy Sack Dan Andrews Party slapped down claims by Mr Druery he set up the party and that it was a sham to harvest preferences..
6. Web site: Puglisi . Leonardo . Glenn Druery reveals the Sack Dan Andrews Party is 'one of mine' in a leaked video . 16 November 2022 . 6 News Australia . 3 April 2023 . 4 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404003709/https://www.6newsau.com/post/glenn-druery-reveals-the-sack-dan-andrews-party-is-one-of-mine-in-a-leaked-video . live .
7. Web site: Calls for Victorian electoral reform after 'preference whisperer' recorded boasting of influence . ABC News . 9 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507063542/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-17/calls-for-group-voting-ticket-reform-victoria/101663588 . 7 May 2024 . 17 November 2022.
8. Web site: Tosh-Jake Finnigan elected to Colac Otway Shire Council . Colac Otway Shire . 3 April 2023 . 4 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404003710/https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/News-media/Tosh-Jake-Finnigan-elected-to-Colac-Otway-Shire-Council . live .
9. Web site: Bluemmel . Sven . DEREGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTY . Victoria Government Gazette . 9 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227110830/https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2023/GG2023S703.pdf . 27 December 2023 . 22 December 2023.