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Governance is very topical now in Australia with the Federal Election to be held very soon. These are the latest ten ideas posted on IdeaSpies by our Governance Editor Glenn Barnes, that should be considered by our politicians to improve our democracy. Please share those you like best to positively influence the debate.
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1. PUBLIC HELP NEEDED: Resolving complex issues in a modern liberal democracy
Our liberal democracy requires us to look beyond ourselves as individuals or as members of small tribes to be successful.
As the two-party system based on old ideologies has lost its appeal, we need to discover new ways of reaching an agreement on what constitutes the common good on a range of issues, e.g., inflation, productivity, debt, national security, social equality and climate change.
In Australia’s 2022 election campaigns, our two foremost party leaders avoid policy leadership. Instead, they respond to the fracturing of public opinion, the tribalisation of our society, and the power of grievance subcultures.
2. Citizens Assemblies/Juries are being used to resolve challenging issues – why can’t we?
99 citizens from all over Denmark have spent four months discussing possible solutions to address climate issues in a citizens' assembly. On 10 February 2022, the randomly selected participants presented concrete recommendations and four key messages to the Danish Parliament for ambitious action.
Having held a successful "citizens assembly" on climate change the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has proposed the use of a "citizens' convention" to resolve assisted dying laws in France
3. Ireland continues to use Citizens Assemblies to achieve breakthroughs on tough policy issues
Invitations to 34,000 randomly selected people in Ireland have gone out, asking them to take part in Citizens' Assemblies on the mayoralty of Dublin, and on biodiversity.
Ireland is also making preparations to hold a citizens' assembly on drug use early next year.
4. A Royal Commission into affordable and safe housing
Lack of housing to meet the broader community’s needs; houses vulnerable to flooding and bushfires; an ever-escalating cost spiral!
Australian governments’ housing policies (federal, state and local) badly fail the community.
As with other systemic failures, we need a Royal Commission to investigate and recommend how we should go about fixing this unacceptable situation.
5. A Royal Commission into Australian Defence Policy, Procurement and Preparedness
We regularly hear piecemeal announcements on Australian defence procurement and the planned location of facilities. These look to be more politically driven than as part of a coherent strategy.
Both sides of politics have badly let the community down on Defence. Our military structure, posture and equipment are more suited to the last century than today. Our procurement record is littered with poor choices based on political bias and defence department overreach. We have wasted enormous amounts of money on the procurement of ineffective equipment and cancelled programs.
A Royal Commission is required to sort out the mess!
6. Australia: Let’s Push “Breakthrough” At The Federal Election
As our two significant parties shape up for the coming federal election, there is more emphasis on what they will not do rather than what they will do.
We need politicians committed to developing policies that reflect the common good - not partisan bias or the needs of vested interests - and to implement efficiently and effectively.
Let’s demand some effective policies covering: Government income and expenditure; Energy policy and climate change; Defence; Affordable housing; Adequate staffing and funding for Health, Aged Care and NDIS services; Community reconciliation and healing; The social safety net; Equal education opportunities starting at pre-school…
7. The OECD is addressing corruption & integrity in democratic government
Although some governments in Australia have started to move forward with integrity work, the journey for achieving truth-telling, integrity supporting behaviours and anti-corruption practices by our politicians has a long way to go.
Our politicians should take note – and more importantly action – to re-build trust in our democracy.
http://newsletter.oecd.org/q/13VJAKVtHn36bVRDKwbK6/wv
http://newsletter.oecd.org/c/147yQDTZ1n713MF8T3WAk3e6Z
2022 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum: 30 March - 1 April
8. Let’s have a new social compact for our democracy!
As we head toward the 2022 Australian Federal Election, our politicians highlight the need for community sacrifice in the face of the evolving geopolitical situation.
Required community sacrifices already seem overwhelming with climate change mitigation, health, aged-care, NDIS, income support for the disadvantaged and social housing all needing substantial additional funding.
Hard trade-off decisions on taxing and spending are required by whoever wins the election. Neither party will achieve breakthroughs with the community's lack of trust for our politicians.
We need our politicians to commit to democratic renewal, with broad community input, for Australia to meet the challenge effectively.
https://www.democraticrenewal.org.au/
9. Urgent: Let’s all engage in our democracy for a better future!
For the first time for many Australians, a view of a generally stable planet and world order is being challenged.
We have two major powers seeking to undermine liberal democratic government systems and a planet reacting negatively to the strains we are imposing.
In the past, Australians have been willing to make economic and life sacrifices to defend our liberty and leave a positive legacy.
Australians need to re-engage with our political processes and ensure that our governments have the courage, conviction, and capability to effectively lead us through challenges to world order and global sustainability.
https://www.democraticrenewal.org.au/
10. A set of election promises to start re-building community trust – and get my vote!
Marcus Gordon
