Our nations' democratic will is being held hostage by a minority group of politicians. This is putting our future national wellbeing at risk. The Prime Minister “Morrison is saying he won’t make a commitment when its consequences are not grasped by the public” (Paul Kelly, The Australian, 18/2/20). There is a way of the public being well informed over, and grasping the consequences of, a 2050 Zero Emissions Target: A Citizens Jury – transparent, informed and deliberative! (The UK and French governments have already engaged such processes for their citizens.) Ask your local federal member to support such action!

"NSW Treasurer Perrottet slams Canberra for tax reform drought"(AFR) For just on two decades Australian Governments have baulked at significant reform of our tax system. In this era of policy inertia, produced by a dysfunctional political system that is overly responsive to individual economic and social pressure groups, we need a "breakout" process that defines a "common good" solution.John Key managed to resolve a similar difficulty in NZ by using a "transparent and deliberative process" run with the help of Wellington University. The Australian Government could easily use a Citizens Jury to review and develop a "common good" Australian tax proposal.

"In other words, parliament should do its job properly rather than choosing the lazy path of enacting deliberately unclear laws." (Janet Albrechtsen 12/2/20).Our government is using Royal Commissions, regulators and the courts to try and change things rather than governing.It is clear that our parliament cannot effectively find consensus that represents community views on multiple issues. Political gaming has overtaken fact driven process and policy.The time has come for Australia to follow the enlightened examples coming from other countries, and start using community based "deliberative democracy" processes to transparently determine the "common good" for challenging policy issues!

Rapid bipartisan agreement and legislation of: 1) A federal integrity commission and 2) Public funding of elections - with legal limitations, and transparent real time declaration, of donations to parties and individual politicians would start the rebuilding of public trust in our government system.Both major parties have made public comments on the desirability of both these moves but failed to move forward with legislation. They would not tolerate such delays by other organisations outside the political system! Ask your local member why!!!

Guardian Australia ran an event in Sydney tonight with their journalists talking about ideas to make Australia better. This idea was from David Marr. He is regarded as one of Australia's most influential commentators, and is the recipient of four Walkley awards for journalism