DELIBERATIVE

DEMOCRACY:A dynamic way forward for local

government

APATHY IN DEMOCRACY

Source: Lowy Institute

• 2015 Lowy Poll found 35 per cent of people either didn’t care what system of government they had, thought other systems could be preferable to democracy, or didn’t know;

• Problem is worse among young people – only 49 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds think democracy is the best system.

DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY: A DYNAMIC WAY FORWARD

• Large forums of citizens selected by random sampling, to develop a policy or a solution to a problem;

• ‘Open book’ information sharing;

• Focus on empathetic listening of other views, establishing common ground and developing understanding -‘dialogue’ not debate;

• Continuing to involve community, industry, state and local government from the beginning of the consultation

through to the implementation of the outcomes.

DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY IN PRACTICE: ROAD TRAIN SUMMIT

• First exercise held in 2001 – dealt with

increasing size and number of road trains;

DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY IN PRACTICE: DIALOGUE WITH THE CITY

• Ongoing process to deal with urban sprawl and city sustainability;

• Launched in 2003 with:• Survey of 8000 residents;• Series of issues papers;

• Hour-long television program;• Interactive website;• School competitions.

• Culminated that year with a forum of 1,100 participants.

DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY IN PRACTICE: REID HIGHWAY CITIZENS’ JURY

• Different mechanism for contained issues – a citizens’ jury;

• Perfect when community is split but where the issue is relatively uncomplicated.

HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENT: #changesCGG

• Participatory budgeting and deliberative

democracy exercise helping to shape the

City’s future;

HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

CITY OF MELBOURNE

• People’s Panel recommendations included:

• Rates increase by CPI plus 2.5% per annum for 10 years• City should sell non-core assets, but keep Citywide service• Developer contributions should be lifted, in line with other capital cities• Debt financing to be used to fund growth infrastructure

• Almost all recommendations accepted & implemented by council

HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENT: ONE IN, ALL IN

• Deliberative democracy led to the ‘One In, All In’ campaign in the City of Vincent

DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY: A DYNAMIC WAY FORWARD