Newsletter April 2024 Kitchen Table Conversations, Housing crisis and more.. |
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Message from the President |
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Significant improvements to federal election recommended DID YOU KNOW after every Australian federal election an inquiry is conducted to identify improvements to future elections? This is facilitated by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. Australians were invited to submit comments/recommendations on improvements to future Australian federal elections. In June 2023 the committee tabled a report in response to the input received and recommended “significant changes to our electoral system”. The report has made 15 recommendations in the areas of political donations, electoral expenditure, truth in advertising and encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in elections. To my knowledge, these recommendations have not yet been implemented. See Committee recommendations here The Conversation article on political donation reform here Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters here Until next time, please look after each other.
Mark Plowman
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Keen to host or attend a Kitchen Table Conversation? |
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Kitchen Table Conversations (KTC’s) are an informal gathering, typically in a home, where a facilitator asks questions regarding community, political representation, and issues and concerns. Answers to these questions are recorded and integrated into a report produced by Voices of Mackellar and made available to political representatives and elections candidates. People who attended KTC’s in 2022 said: |
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“Inspiring, intellectually challenging.” “Warm, welcoming and super interesting.” “Stimulating, people don’t care how you vote. The fact you were listened to was just wonderful.” |
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Is the housing crisis affecting you? Do you have any ideas on how to address it? |
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Mackellar MP Dr. Sophie Scamps wants to hear about your situation and your opinion on the housing crisis. She is inviting all Mackellar residents to complete a quick 2-minute survey or submit a more detailed submission on your housing experience and ideas for policy solutions to address this crisis. |
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A summary of these views will be presented to a People’s Jury on Housing, comprising thirty randomly selected residents, plus experts on 15 June 2024. The aim is to identify three policy priorities for which Dr Scamps can advocate in Canberra. |
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Sam Mostyn announced as our next Governor-General |
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Earlier this month the Prime Minister announced that Sam Mostyn will be the next Governor-General from 1 July 2024. She will succeed the current Governor General His Excellency the Honourable David Hurley for a term that generally lasts about 5 years. |
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Ms Mostyn is said to be “known for her exceptional service to the Australian community, a businesswoman and community leader with a long history in executive and governance roles across diverse sectors”. To read more click here ABC news Sam Mostyn - Governor-General So, what does the Governor-General do? Australia is a constitutional monarchy, and the Governor-General is the representative of King Charles III. Their appointment is made by the King, but on the advice of the Prime Minister and is considered to be politically neutral. The Governor General has many constitutional powers, eg. giving final approval for bills in the parliament to become law, acting as commander-in-chief of the defence force, and starting the process for an election. They also have reserve powers e.g. they can dismiss a Prime Minister if they have lost the support of the majority of members of the House of Representative (as controversially happened in 1975). The Governor-General's ceremonial and civil duties include attending the opening of a new Parliament, formally appointing the Prime Minister, ministers, judges, and ambassadors, meeting foreign heads of state and attending community functions and visiting areas hit by disasters. They also approve awards to recognise the service and contribution of outstanding Australians eg. Australia Day honours. |
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Looking for new committee members and volunteers |
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Voices of Mackellar is looking for new committee members and volunteers to help with events such as Kitchen Table Conversations. If you are interested in enabling voices in the community to be heard by your political representatives, and have skills in any of the following areas: strategic planning; event management; administration; and social media; we would love to hear from you. Please email us at info@voicesofmackellar.org.au |
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➡️ Northern Beaches Council and its Big Ideas Forum will host Hugh Mackay discussing his latest book ‘The Way We Are: Lessons from a lifetime of listening’ on Wed 1 May, 7pm at Glen Street Theatre. Bookings here |
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➡️ Our friends at Voices of Wentworth will host a Disinformation Workshop: Facts & Other Lies on Tues 14 May 6.30pm in Paddington. Bookings here |
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Donate to support our work... Voices of Mackellar is a not for profit organisation that is 100% funded by community donations and run by volunteers. If you would like to support our work, a donation would be greatly appreciated and will go towards administrative and advertising costs, as well as our upcoming events! We appreciate your generosity and could not do this work without your support. |
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist |
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Voices of Mackellar Let's do politics differently, together! |
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www.voicesofmackellar.org.au Authorised by M. Nutt Newport 2106 If you would like to unsubscribe from Voices of Mackellar please email us info@voicesofmackellar.org.au |
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Voices of Mackellar acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work on, the Garigal Clan of the Guringai People. We pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded. |
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