Constitutional State Based on Biblical Principles

The ACDP will institute a recognised body of law, which will conform to Christian principles of government, that will also determine the relationship of the different tiers of government to one another, as well as that of the citizen to the State. All will be bound by the Constitution.

4.2 - Federalism

The ACDP stands for the principle of federalism based on grounds that it promotes the following principles:

• It is the only system capable of being closely associated with the country's citizens and which canadequately address the diverse needs of the local regions.
• It promotes a better degree of governmental & administrative efficiency, and responsibility.
• It is a system that recognises open democracy, power sharing, and diversity and builds co-operative partnerships.

4.2.1 - Parliament

The ACDP believes in the creation of a small central government authority and the creation of a genuine Federal System of government.

We affirm our commitment to the creation of a three tier government, namely central government, provincial and local government.

We subscribe to a constitutional state, by which parliament can exercise it’s power only within the parameters determined by the constitution.

4.2.2 - Provincial Government

We believe in strong autonomous Provincial Government, with credible functions and powers.

Provincial Government should be financially competent with certain autonomous powers.

Central government has a responsibility to contribute to its funding.

Provincial government should promote a system of proportional representation. The percentage of proportional representation should be determined at a level that will not weaken effective governance and decision-making processes.

4.2.3 - Local Government

The ACDP proposes that whatever can be delivered at a Local Government level should be a local government competence.

Local government should be financially self-sufficient and have autonomous powers. However, it should receive an equitable share of National taxes to facilitate actual delivery of services such as:

• Welfare;
• Education;
• Policing;
• Clinics and non-teaching hospitals;
• Sport & recreation.

Political representation; allocation of resources and boundary demarcations should be based on strict rules of equality and justice.

Local government will also create structures for greater community involvement.

A local government and community interdependent infrastructure must be established.

4.2.4 - Community Driven Governance

We believe in community participation in respect of decision-making that affects community affairs.

The Community driven model will allow communities to make their own policy decisions in certain areas, so as to encourage greater community involvement and speedier delivery of certain basic services.

Community driven governance aims to operate functions in a financially self-sufficient and self-promoting system.

The ACDP believes that effective government is determined by the extent decentralisation is realised, which in turn affects political accountability and measures a population’s response or involvement to socio-economic demands.

4.2.4.1 - Privatisation of social delivery services

Privatisation of certain social services at local or community level must, where it is practicable, allow for tendering opportunities by applicants located within these respective regions.