The recent Labor conference passed a motion to establish an
independent Australian Constitutional Commission to advocate for electoral
reforms in our parliament. Our democracy needs more than this if it is to
flourish.
We need a permanent body – a Constitutional Council or
Commission – whose role is to promote the understanding of our constitution and
its importance to our democracy, advocate for needed changes and ensure that
the community understands and supports change before the costly referendum process is undertaken. This body should frame the question to be put to the public and the parliament then runs the process.https://www.ideaspies.com/posts/a-way-of-breaking-the-referendum-deadlock
Our current polity and elites fail to deliver a fair and
reasonable Australia for generations beyond the Baby Boomers. Politicians focus
on power and protection of economic rents (for unions and businesses), stifling the
changes that must be made.
If Australia is to create the appropriate environment for
future generations to flourish, we need to find a way around the policy inertia
that afflicts our governing politicians.
Citizen deliberative forums can sort through the facts and
help the community understand common good policy initiatives to take our nation
forward. Politicians can then legislate knowing the hard yards have been done!
Partisan politicians and elite groups can pervert focus in a
liberal democracy. Constant vigilance is required to keep a polity focused on
core democratic principles and deliver evidence-based policy, legislation and
regulation.
Democratic governments across the globe have lost trust by
failing to focus on such principles and serve "all" citizens equitably.
It is up to us citizens to force a change or be doomed to live our lives under government systems favouring the few.
“Provided the rulers do not interfere
with its material comforts and its cherished beliefs, it is perfectly happy to
let itself be ruled." Aldous Huxley
The bipartisan American Innovation and Jobs Act enacted in June 2023 supports innovative businesses and helps create jobs. This law provides incentives for long-term research and development (R&D) investment by allowing companies to deduct annually R&D expenses. It will increase the cap over time for the refundable R&D tax credit for small businesses and startups.
