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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 have participated this year. They include Orange and Warringah in NSW, Melbourne City Council and the five Hobart Metropolitan Councils which ran a regional forum.

At Melbourne City Council, 100 people attended drawing participants from across the State. Former State Premiers, representing both sides of the political fence, Labor's Joan Kirner and Liberal's Dick Hamer addressed the forum, as did Victorian ATSIC Commissioner, Jeff Clarke.

Rather than hold a formal indoor function, Orange City Council chose to include Australia Consults as part of its outdoor Australia Day family festival celebrations. The idea was to encourage as many people as possible, and especially those less likely to attend a more formal workshop session, to join in discussions and have their say.

One section of Cook Park was set up as a 'Hyde Park' speakers' corner, where people were invited to have their say. Limited to two minutes each, some 15 people made the most of this opportunity.

Three separate tents were also set up. Each contained information, as well as experts on hand to assist people wanting to find out more about each of the three issues being canvassed. A fourth tent contained whiteboards, butchers paper and video equipment providing people with a choice of media to record their ideas, if the soapbox was not their forte!

"It was a very successful day, despite the rain," said Cr Brenda Davies. "A wide range of people of all ages took part. Some 200 written comments were received and about a dozen people made video recordings." She said that a number of people commented that they had not taken much interest in the issues before but now agreed there was a need to take more notice.

"The format we selected created a supportive but very casual atmosphere," Cr Davies continued. "We are keen to build on this next year." In Hobart, the five metropolitan Councils ran a joint regional forum. With around 50 people attending, participants worked in six focus groups to discuss the three topics.

"It was a very valuable event," said Forum Chairperson, Alderman Robert Valentine. "People really appreciated being able to have their say. It is important that the rest of community is made aware that this opportunity is available for them to have their say on the future."

Hobart participants agreed there was a need for information, presented in plain English, on both the status quo and other options for our Head of State. They indicated that providing such information as this could be a role for Local Government being so close to the people.

Mayor Sam Danieli from Warringah on Sydney's north shore said that people who attended his Council's forum represented a good cross section of the local community. He said that in planning for Centenary of Federation celebrations, people were not keen merely to have a big party. They saw it as an opportunity to reflect on where we have come from and our achievements, as well as where we are going in the future.

On the reconciliation issue, given the unease of indigenous Australians about celebrating Australia Day on the Anniversary of the First Fleet landing at Botany Bay, Warringah participants believed it is time to reconsider and select a date where all Australians can celebrate together as a nation.

As we move towards Centenary celebrations on 1 January 2001, changing Australia's National Day to 1 January is gaining support. 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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