6. People's Conventions

Women's Charter for Political Reform
with Rationale

1. Political Equality for Women
2. Regulatng the Influence of Money in Politics
3. Changing the Parliamentry System of Remuneration and Entitlements
4. Changing the System of Parliamentary Representation
5. The Bill of Rights Debate - its Relevance to the Equality of Women
6. People's Conventions - Public Participation in Democracy

6. PEOPLE'S CONVENTIONS - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACY

6.1 People's Conventions should be held afterduring every second parliamentary term, or more often if there is a special identified need, such as a renewal of the debate on a republic, for the purpose of making recommendations to the Federal Government for changes to the Constitution, to our political institutions and to to public policy.

6.2 Any registered voter should be eligible for electionnomination to the People's Conventions, provided they are nominated by at least 50 similarly registered voters.

6.3 Election of delegates to Conventions should be held simultaneously with the Federal elections, or State elections and all serving politicians of any parliament should be excluded from election nomination as a delegate to a People's Convention.

6.4 Matters agreed to by a two-thirds by a 60 % majority of delegates at a Convention should be implemented by the referred to Pparliament or put to referendum at the next federal election for action.

Rationale: Australians are concerned at the parlous state of politics in Australia. Many are concerned for the future of their country and its political institutions. However they have few opportunities to participate in the development of public policy or to explore how our institutions may be renewed and made more democratic and more relevant.

The Constitutional Convention (February 1998) gave Australians an opportunity to see and hear a level of public debate rarely seen in Australia since Federation. The Women's Constitutional Convention (28-29 January 1998) provided Australian women with a similarly stimulating and educative experience and a fresh perspective on their status in modern Australian society.

A requirement on Parliament, following receipt of a reference from a People's Convention, to either legislate or to put an issue to referendum would go some way towards relieving Australian voters' continuing frustration at having their priorities ignored in favour of the priorities of the major political parties. Since the Convention participants would not be career politicians, they should be able to explore political and constitutional issues without the necessity of adhering to party policy.

The exclusion of serving politicians from People's Conventions would provide citizens with opportunities to participate directly in policy debates; to point to difficult issues which do not attract the political parties because they do not appear to fit in with a party's program or philosophical base; issues such as parliamentary terms; whether Australia should become a Republi; or where the public interest lies in policy on the use of new broadcasting media - without the debate being hijacked by the political party leaders and serving politicians.

Women's Charter for Political Reform with Rationale

6. PEOPLE'S CONVENTIONS - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACY

6.2 Any registered voter should be eligible for electionnomination to the People's Conventions, provided they are nominated by at least 50 similarly registered voters.

6.3 Election of delegates to Conventions should be held simultaneously with the Federal elections, or State elections and all serving politicians of any parliament should be excluded from election nomination as a delegate to a People's Convention.

6.4 Matters agreed to by a two-thirds by a 60 % majority of delegates at a Convention should be implemented by the referred to Pparliament or put to referendum at the next federal election for action.

Women's Charter for Political Reform
with Rationale