By Dennis Shanahan, in The Australian Fifteen years ago a political misjudgment by Julia Gillard at the start of her 2010 election campaign effectively destroyed Australian support for the idea of a citizens’ assembly to help develop new policy on difficult and divisive issues outside the traditional political parties. Indeed, the searing political and public...Continue reading
Measures such as citizens assemblies can combat rising polarisation The editorial board, August 11, 2019 Here is an inconvenient fact for those who stand up for liberal democracy against its powerful detractors: it works best where it is least needed. As societies grow more polarised, democratic agreement has never been so much in demand. Yet...
With rising disaffection and public debate, democracies around the world are facing a crisis of confidence. Does Australia need to rethink its democratic structure? Deborah Richards, Australian Institute of Company Directors 01 February 2019 Around Australia, disaffected, angry voices — from community groups to business leaders to striking school students — are demanding change. “It’s...