Last month, national attention turned to Old Parliament House Canberra, where history was being made as 152 elected and appointed delegates debated whether Australia should become a republic and the preferred shape it should take. Elsewhere around the nation, some 3,200 people from a broad range of backgrounds and across the age spectrum have also been meeting to discuss our nation’s future.
The Local Constitutional Convention Program, which commenced last September, has resulted in 41 Councils holding local conventions. A further 25 Councils have registered their intention to stage such an event in the coming months. While the Constitutional Convention proper clearly indicated support for a republic with an Australian head of state, public opinion seems to be running ahead of the views of both the majority of delegates and key political players.
Opinion polls show that many Australians do not adhere to a softly, softly approach, rather if we move to a republic, we go the full distance with a popularly elected head of state. The polls are indicating people want to be directly involved in electing the ‘president’ and are not prepared to abrogate this responsibility to Parliament.
With this and other issues to be resolved in the lead up to the Centenary of our Federation, local conventions provide an excellent means for people across the nation to come together and discuss such matters. Professor Cheryl Saunders, Deputy Chair of the Constitutional Centenary Foundation, believes that local conventions are an excellent illustration of the opportunities Local Government provides to Australians to participate in democratic government, beyond merely electing representatives.
Among the many Councils to have conducted a local convention is Macedon Ranges Shire Council in central Victoria. Following a successful event attracting 60 residents in November last year, Macedon Ranges is now planning its second convention for 21 March.
“We will be the first Council to hold a second convention,” said Lisa Speers, Council and Customer Service Officer. “An evaluation sheet used in our first convention indicated strong support for a second event, with the majority opting for the topic ‘Citizens Rights’.”
Under the Local Constitutional Convention Program, Councils have five broad themes from which to choose. At the November meeting Macedon Ranges looked at ‘An Australian Republic?’ and ‘The Federal System’. Other topics include ‘The Constitution as a National Symbol’ and ‘Electing Representatives’. More recently, Cooma-Monaro Shire in south east NSW ran its local convention. Forty six people attended through direct invitation or in response to local advertising. The theme selected was ‘the Federation System’.
“I have been on Council for a number of years and this is one of the most interesting days I have spent,” said Cr Bill Rushton who, with Council’s General Manager, Neil Watt, organised the event. “We had a diverse group, all providing input, from high school students through to retired people. We also issued an invitation to residents in our neighbouring Shires to attend, with some taking up this offer.”
Neil Watt said that all who registered attended except for two people, both of whom had legitimate reasons. Chaired by John Warhurse, Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University, Neil believes it is vital for the conventions to have an experienced Chairperson who has a good knowledge of our system of Government.
He added that participants thanked Council and the Chairperson for organising and facilitating the event. Tasmania’s Flinders Island is also currently preparing for that State’s first local convention. With a total population of 950 people, attendance of 80 people at previous ‘Australia Consults’ forums encouraged Council to proceed.
Professor Cheryl Saunders has agreed to Chair this convention scheduled for 7 March. In lodging their registrations, people were asked to indicate which of the five topics they would like to consider. Council’s final decision will be based on this poll.
With a good representation of people from this small Island community keen to have their say on these important issues, the Local Constitutional Convention Program has certainly proved to be a great success.
Communiques from local conventions are available on ALGA’s civics page at www.alga.com.au/civcom.htm
