conducting consultations on legislation in australia vicki bourne former senator australian...
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Conducting Consultations on Legislation in Australia
Vicki BourneFormer Senator
Australian Parliament
• Ministers or Department originate legislation - “Bills”
• Members of Parliament ensure Bills are acceptable
Legislative Process
• A multi-party system
• Two chambers each elected differently
• All Bills must be approved three times by a majority in each chamber
Federal Parliament
House of Representatives
• Single member electorates; about 50,000 people per electorate
• The party with most seats in the House of Representatives forms the government
• Bills generally pass that Chamber quickly, with little or no change
The Senate
• Multi-member electorates of 12 Senators
• Elected by proportional voting
• The government party usually needs the support of other parties
• This will often involve amendment of a Bill
• Citizens know they can get a Bill amended
• They expect senators to consult
Citizens’ Expectations
Types of Consultations
• Meetings with individual or groups, public and private
• Lobbying by interest groups
• Discussions on radio television and internet
• Senate Committee consideration
Meetings Skills
• Understand what is in the Bill and and be able to explain it simple terms
• Listen to and understand constituent concerns
• If you promise to do something, make sure it happens
• Learn to deal with difficult people
• Expect the unexpected
Lobbying
• Make sure you understand the detail of the Bill
• Learn to deal with intense persistence
• Learn to recognise indirect influence
Mass Media
• Sound natural
• Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know
Senate Committees
• Made up of Senators with an interest and/or knowledge of the subject of legislation
• Chaired by a government Senator
• Committees often hold public inquiries
Senate Inquiries
• Committee will call for submissions
• People with substantial submissions will be asked to speak to the Committee and answer questions
• Hearings are usually held in suitable locations
• The Committee then recommends what changes, if any, should be made
Committee Skills
• Try to be pleasant when dealing with witnesses, no matter how unpleasant they are to you
• Be thoroughly prepared
To sum up
• Remember details
• Be prepared
• You can’t be expected to know everything