Representing Those Unrepresented In Australian Politics?

A Public Commission for a new major political party here, in Australia – the ‘politics we are yearning for’ – has just been announced by the Centre For Civil Society, a public policy and social innovation institute concerned with the empowerment of ordinary people.

A Citizens’ Initiative To Represent Those Unrepresented In Politics

The Public Commission aims to bring us together in a process that will form a political party that will represent six sections of Australian society ‘currently unrepresented in politics’:

(1) the self-employed, small businesses and independent owners (the backbone of our economy and employment but ignored by governments)

(2) families (the foundation of society but unrepresented by any broad, mainstream organisation)

(3) consumers (the least organised and least vocal component of our economy)

(4) people with disabilities, chronic and mental illnesses and their families/carers (the most invisible and vulnerable Australians)

(5) volunteers and community associations (the glue in society but unrepresented in any of our halls of power)

(6) social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals (a vital part of the economy ignored for a century)

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The policy framework is based on four broad commitments:

• Support for self-employment, small businesses and independent owners – a wide distribution of ownership of economic assets and property, and the breakup of concentrations of economic and market power
• Support for civil society – a strengthening of community groups, voluntary associations, support networks, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals
• Individualised funding for consumers and families – self-directed services and individual budgets in disability, mental health, ageing, education, health and social services
• Governance reform in democracy, parliament and public institutions – innovation in public voice and citizen empowerment and the end of career politicians

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The Commission will run from July 2012 to March 2013. It will:

• call for and receive public submissions on ideas and policies for a new major party
• enable participants to vote on key ideas and policies, and elect a Council for a New Major Party, at the end of March 2013
• network participants in groups in each federal electorate for discussion, education and local initiatives

The aim is to enrol 100 participants in each federal electorate by March 2013. There are 150 electorates, which makes a total of 15,000 members.

Public nominations are called for members of the Commission (20 – 30 places).

Further Details

For more info visit: http://www.civilsociety.org.au/heartofAustralia/Index.htm You can register your interest at: http://www.civilsociety.org.au/heartofAustralia/Membership.htm

There is no cost