Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Australia's big conversation continues to gain momentum

From Devonport in Tasmania to Chinchilla in Queensland, Sandstone in Western Australia to Warringah on Sydney's north shore, Councils large and small once again joined with their communities in 'Speak Up' - the Australia Consults program ran by the National Australia Day Council.

In 1996, the first year of this initiative, 140 Councils took part. This year, over 200 councils indicated they will be involved. Most scheduled their local event on or around the Australia Day weekend, while a few Councils will host their forums later this year.

The local forums provide an opportunity for people to come together and share their ideas about the future of Australia.

This year discussions revolved around three key issues - planning for the Centenary of Federation; the Australian Constitution and possible changes to the Head of State; and the process of reconciliation between indigenous and other Australians.

FOCUS spoke to a range of Councils that participated this year. They include Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia, Sandstone in inland Western Australia and Longreach in Western Queensland.

The citizens of Kangaroo Island came together on two separate occasions, one held in the evening and the other during the day, to maximise opportunities for people to have their say. Thirty people attended the two sessions of a total population of 4,000.

Noting that they are in a unique location, Mayor Janice Kelly said some issues on the agenda such as aboriginal reconciliation were remote from the lives of the islanders who nonetheless felt strongly that greater tolerance and understanding of the depth of indigenous culture was essential.

Participants felt the most important issue was that of the appointment of a Head of State. Those attending felt there was a strong need for more information and added that, should there be a People's Convention, it needs to arrive at a recommendation that can be voted on.

Observing that few young people were able to attend, those present felt it might be worthwhile to go into schools and encourage a higher level of awareness of these issues among local youth.

Rather than hold a formal indoor function, at Sandstone in Western Australia local organisers opted for a scenic meeting in the park under the gum trees at dusk. Local mining company, Herald Resources, supplied refreshments for the 26 people who came together for the occasion. Acting CEO, Terry McCarthy, noted that this was a very strong showing for a Shire of just 356 people spread over 28,000 square kilometres. Only 50 people live in the township itself.

Once again the issue of constitutional change provoked the most discussion with the general view that more information and further discussion is necessary. Some people queried the need for change at this stage.

While none of the local indigenous population was able to attend, those present felt that their Shire represents a good role model for others with good relations between members of the community regardless of their race. Several Shire employees come from the local Aboriginal Community.

Participants thought the issue needed to be dealt with openly and with hindsight felt invitations in future target the Aboriginal population so that all views might be heard. An interesting outcome of the meeting saw several people, resident in the Shire for many years, inquire for the first time about taking out Australian citizenship.

At Longreach, some 20 people including local business people, pastoralists and others held a lively discussion in the Civic Centre. While pleased to have their say, once again the need was expressed to find out more about the process of constitutional reform. Questions on the agenda were regarded as too broad and required more information. It was agreed that before anything be done a referendum ought to be held.

Ideas from each local forum are collated into a standard communique. These will be presented as a report and published by the National Australia Day Council, as well as being available on the Internet at http://www.telstra.com.au/nadc/

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