Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Councils join Australia's 'big conversation'

Councils all around Australia have been invited to participate in Australia Consults 1997, a grass roots consultation program on key national identity issues. It is expected that 200 Councils will join in this 'big conversation' either on, or around Australia Day 1997.

Australia Consults is a joint initiative of the National Australia Day Council and the Australian Local Government Association, in cooperation with the Constitutional Centenary Foundation, and proudly supported by Telstra, principal sponsor of the NADC.

Australia Consults is a simple idea - Mayors or Presidents invite the local community to a public forum in the week around Australia Day. Each forum works through a series of questions, and then prepares a brief communique of what took place. The communiques from forums all around the nation are then published as a report and on the National Australia Day Council Home Page.

In 1997 Australia Consults will look at three key issues: how we will celebrate the centenary of federation; constitutional reform and possible changes to Australia's Head of State; and the process of reconciliation between indigenous and other Australians.

"Australia Consults will encourage local communities to think about how they can contribute to, and be part of these big picture issues," said Howard Glenn, National Director of the National Australia Day Council.

"At the forums, we hope that communities will start planning their centenary of federation activities, as well as discuss how their views on a republic and how the process of reconciliation can be made relevant at the grass roots level."

All Australian Councils have been sent a complete package of Australia Consults materials. Councils are now invited to register their participation by contacting the National Australia Day Council, telephone (02) 9267 8002 or the Australia Day Council in each State or Territory.

Further details of Australia Consults can be found at the NADC Home Page at http://www.telstra.com.au/nadc/

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