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# Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy

Awakening Democracy: government with the people

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Views](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/blog/)
- [Redescribing Democracy: a Review](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/redescribing-democracy-a-review/) - Hubertus Buchstein and Dirk Jörke, 2007 Redescribing Democracy Peter Tait In Redescribing Democracy, the authors explore the evolution of the idea of democracy through history. They argue that participation, initially an essential element of a political system that is democratic, has been excluded for most of history and is only just, since the late 19th
- [How to stop losing to capitalism](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/how-to-stop-losing-to-capitalism/) - This link (below) takes you to the script of the presentation made by CAPaD to the New Economy Network Australia Conference, Broadbeach Qld, 10-12/10/25. It shared CAPaD's MP accountability activities, most recently the Candidate Forums. Video coming soon. https://canberra-alliance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Not-losing-against-Capitalism-Presentation-script.pdf
- [Review - Goliath's Curse: a history and future of societal collapse, Luke Kemp](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/review-goliaths-curse-a-history-and-future-of-societal-collapse-luke-kemp/) - Take a deep dive into the causes and consequences of human societal growth and collapse. Our human nature is the cause of our predicament and also our saviour. We are programmed to dominate and to resist domination. “Democracy is humanity’s default political system” p38. Lots of examples across time and geography. Thus wealth equality plus power
- [How do we practice Democracy?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/how-do-we-practice-democracy/) - Since democracy is the people rule, then the most perfect form of democracy is direct democracy. In a direct democracy, the decisions are taken by the people who have to live with the consequences of those decisions. Those decisions pertain but are not limited to societal objectives, the constitution, policy, legislation and evaluation of all
- [Democratic governance vs autocracy and unfairness](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/democratic-governance-vs-autocracy-and-unfairness/) - Peter Tait,Convener 5.5 minute read. Among my holiday reading were three books looking at different aspects of ‘democracy’, that slippery idea which I define as a system of governance where the people who have to live with the consequences of decisions, collectively make the decisions. Ideally this occurs through some form of direct democracy. Liberal,
- [2025 Election Education Program](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/2025-election-education-program/) - This federal election we are keen for people to continue to think about who they preference when casting their vote. This time around, we add in the idea that MPs should have a job description to make it open and transparent to voters what the job we want them to do actually is. While job
- [Review Anne Applebaum: Autocracy Inc, the dictators who want to run the world](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/review-anne-applebaum-autocracy-inc-the-dictators-who-want-to-run-the-world/) - Anne Applebaum, 2024, Allen Lane. Book review, Peter Tait, December 2024 “Nobody’s democracy is safe” (p174) Applebaum sets out the situation, where over the past decades, a disorganised but cooperative cabal of opportunistic autocratic leaders have set out to undermine, discredit and destroy democratic values such as transparency and accountability, the rule of law and
- [Building democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/building-democracy/) - Peter Tait Recently I participated (personally) in the Canberra Wave of the Rising Tide Against New Coal and Gas event. I volunteered to help out with the Affinity Group training and to support running the Spokes Councils in Canberra. The link to democracy work is that these, Affinity Groups and Spokes Councils, are methods for
- [Democratic Governance Toolkit](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/democratic-governance-toolkit/) - Democratic Governance Toolkit Democratic Governance Toolkit The Democracy Toolkit has many draws and a few items in each draw. This is a brief overview of the main draws that permit large groups to facilitate participation and make decisions. More detailed explanations of the components of the toolkit will be added later. Find a pdf of
- [Recent addition to the democracy ecosystem in Australia: Review of The High Performance Political Party](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/recent-addition-to-the-democracy-ecosystem-in-australia-review-of-the-high-performance-political-party/) - Recent addition to the democracy ecosystem in Australia: Review of The High Performance Political Party
- [Revisiting what is democracy?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/revisiting-what-is-democracy/) - Revisiting what is democracy? Peter Tait, Convener If being clear about the DNA of democracy, as Janusz Ruszkowski says, is important to nurturing and safeguarding it, how then to define this slippery concept? I propose that there are a set of value propositions that can be used as a guideline against which a government or
- [Exercising our democratic muscles – zoom event report](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/exercising-our-democratic-muscles-zoom-event-report/) - A conversation about living democracy into being; withdrawing consent and building the new. A second very stimulating conversation on living democracy happened on Sunday 2nd July. Key messages: withdrawing consent is only one of four stages in living democracy; these stages are parallel. They are sowing the seeds of change, perhaps launching the idea that
- [The ACT Community Democracy Ecosystem](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/the-act-community-democracy-ecosystem/) - In the ACT, several organisations and many individuals are working for better community and electorate level democratic practice with a focus on ensuring good representation. This is an ecosystem of people and organisations in a political environment. Within the organisations are people with varying levels of time, energy and interest. Some people may participate in
- [Eight ways to institutionalise deliberative democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/eight-ways-to-institutionalise-deliberative-democracy/) - OECD Public Governance Policy Papers, No. 12, 14 December 2021 Building on the work CAPaD did with the OECD last year, this paper outlines eight participatory and deliberative models "for institutionalising representative public deliberation to improve collective decision making and strengthen democracy. Deliberative bodies like citizens’ assemblies create the democratic spaces for broadly representative groups
- [Good government key to planetary health and human wellbeing](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/good-government-key-to-planetary-health-and-human-wellbeing/) - Peter Tait presented this talk at the Australian Public Health Conference on 24/9/21. His talk Planetary Health for the Public's Health is reproduced on the Croakey blog here as A rallying call for public health to refocus efforts, on building government for the public’s good. (https://www.croakey.org/a-rallying-call-for-public-health-to-refocus-efforts-on-building-government-for-the-publics-good/)
- [Video of Good Governance for the public's and Planet's health now on Youtube](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/video-of-good-governance-for-the-publics-and-planets-health-now-on-youtube/) - Updating last weeks post, the video of the talk at the Australian Public Health Conference is now available on YouTube. The second half focuses on the ideas around electorate level mobilisation. (https://youtu.be/d3pzpIN3skY)
- [Be angry (about politics) and vote thoughtfully](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/be-angry-about-politics-and-vote-thoughtfully/) - From the Public Health Association Australia blog, Intouch, Peter Tait suggests ways that we can be active citizens in the upcoming election. After all, do we want more of the same non-government? See here -> https://intouchpublichealth.net.au/be-angry-about-politics-in-australia-and-vote-thoughtfully/
- [Has politics become too contemptuous of everyday life?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/has-politics-become-too-contemptuous-from-everyday-life/) - On this weeks The Mindfield, Waleed Aly and Marc Stears (Director of the Sydney Policy Lab) explore the idea that politics / the political class / liberal democracy has become disconnected from the values and concerns of the community. Very relevant to the community independents movement.
- [A Framework for a Fair Australian Democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/a-framework-for-a-fair-australian-democracy/) - The Australian Democracy Network, whose aim is to extract undue, excessive corporate influence from our political system, has launched a campaign to grow toward achieving that. More details about the campaign and the petition can be found on the #OurDemocracy website. It is fascinating how the our democracy meme is taking off in Australia. This
- [A brief note on Humankind, by Rutger Bregman - democracy view.](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/a-brief-note-on-humankind-by-rutger-bregman-democracy-view/) - Rutger Bregman's Humankind explores and debunks the myth that human nature is nasty by default. He acknowledges that it can be and in certain circumstances this can have survival value. But in the majority of circumstances and situations, humans' default responses are kindness, compassion and being helpful. In relation to democracy he identifies seven plagues:
- [How could community participation within a representative democracy system work?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/how-could-community-participation-within-a-representative-democracy-system-work/) - Peter Tait Looking at the issues confronting us at present: climate action, jobseeker rate, NDIS, infrastructure development, urban planning, asylum seekers and immigration, defence budgets, and many others, how might community members work with their elected representatives to look at managing them? This isn’t actually new; France tried it with climate change and the Irish
- [Avoiding circus elections ...](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/avoiding-circus-elections/) - Avoiding circus elections, cutting out the dysfunction and corruption of the western liberal election process. Institute a sensible hiring process for representatives in our parliament, or for making the really complex decisions that bedevil our society. Idealistic and entirely possible. Adam Cronkright is coordinator of 'of by for' and co-founder and director of Democracy in
- [Reflections of CAPaDs focus on candidates](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/reflections-of-capads-focus-on-candidates/) - Peter Tait (this 13 January version is an update of the original post of January 6th 2021) Over the past few weeks, I have found myself explaining what CAPaD is trying to do. People are interested in a new way of thinking about doing politics. These conversations have led me to these thoughts. The core
- [Glimpses of Utopia, Jess Scully, a reflection](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/glimpses-of-utopia-jess-scully-a-reflection/) - Peter Tait My reflections rather than a book review. Jess Scully discusses the hope-giving developments she has found around the world that suggest we can build a well society on a well planet if we apply what we know. Just been reading Jess Scully, Glimpses of Utopia #GlimpsesOfUtopia. There is a lot in there. Most
- [Dissatisfaction with government or democracy - just a thought](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/dissatisfaction-with-government-and-democracy-just-a-thought/) - My concern here leads me to sound a note of caution: the language is very important here. Are people dissatisfied with that system of politics that we call democracy or are they really dissatisfied with government or with the failure of government to protect and provide for their needs? Or is dissatisfaction with the behaviour
- [Some observations on Cathy goes to Canberra](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/12746-2/) - Listening to Cathy goes to Canberra, Conversations with Richard Fidler, ABC Radio. Talking abut her new book. Some take homes: Their aim was to make the seat marginal; make it competitive. Start with the local member. Safe seats don't get attention. Listen to the young people. What do they know? Want? The MP doesn't lead,
- [An Ecology of Representation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/an-ecology-of-representation/) - Peter W Tait, 2020 Some background theory for explaining CAPaD’s objective in focusing on representation in participatory democratic theory. From Urbinati N, Warren ME. The concept of representation in contemporary democratic theory. Annual Review of Political Science. 2008;11:387-412 How do we know if representation is legitimate? This depends on the answer to two key generic
- [How might CAPaD develop?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/how-might-capad-develop-2/) - The Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD) is a couple of months old and 100 members strong. At a recent meeting, members took stock and offered their views on the future role of the new body. We heard from Ms Cathy McGowan, the independent MHR from Indi in Victoria, about the process in her Federal
- [Choosing our MLAs thoughtfully to get the best ones for the job](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/choosing-our-mlas-thoughtfully-to-get-the-best-ones-for-the-job/) - Dr Peter Tait, Secretary for the Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy The election is happening. Candidates have all been declared, and voting starts this week. It looks to be a close election. Candidates would want to use all possible ways to attract voters. The Alliance invites all candidates to put in a statement to tell
- [Three things happened that show we need parliament urgently](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/three-things-happened-that-show-we-need-parliament-urgently/) - This post was originally printed in Intouch, the PHAA Blog and is printed here with PHAA's permission. Two things happened in late July that makes me worry for the future of the public’s health in Australia. First, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the National Covid-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) was being brought under the National
- [Answering Democratic pathways to a totalitarian regime](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/10960/) - More curly questions about democracy come in from people who have heard of my passion for fixing government; here is another and the response made. I have no doubt that you and others have had to deal with this question many times in the past. And it is a question that history shows cannot be avoided.
- [Democracy in Canberra: what is it?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/democracy-in-canberra-what-is-it/) - Recently I was discussing CAPaD and our aim to make democracy in Canberra better. The person I was conversing with challenged me by asking how we can make democracy better if we haven't a definition of democracy. Good point. So, this is the first part of my response. Defining democracy is notoriously hard. Personally I
- [How are we going to make representative government work better for us in the ACT?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/how-are-we-going-to-make-representative-government-work-better-for-us-in-the-act/) - Beth Slatyer and Peter Tait It is 12 months until the next ACT election. We want to use that election to leverage change toward making government be better. Our focus is on improving our, the people's, working relationship with our representatives. There are two sides to this: Being clear what our MLAs' roles and responsibilities
- [SAVE THE DATE for AGM 25 November 2018 2–2:30pm)](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/save-the-date-for-agm-25-november-2018-2-230pm/) - Annual General Meeting Action Group Update Sunday November 25th; AGM (2 – 2:30pm) Action Group Update (2:30 – 5pm) St James Hall, 40 Gillies St., Curtin. This year has been a tremendous one for the Canberra Alliance. Our Action Groups have made great strides including updating the Kitchen Table Conversation kit and holding lively meetings
- [Media Release: Charter of Democratic Commitment to be the "New Normal"?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/media-release-charter-of-democratic-commitment-to-be-the-new-normal/) - One feature of this election which could become the “new normal” is the development of Candidate Statements, which include the candidate's agreement to or modification of a Charter of Democratic Commitment. Altogether, 62 of the 141 candidates completed a statement and of those who did so, 23% were elected compared with 14% of those who
- [ACTCOSS: We need a renewed approach to governing the ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/actcoss-we-need-a-renewed-approach-to-governing-the-act/) - by Susan Helyar, Director, ACT Council of Social Service As we start our round of formal meetings with members of the new ACT Legislative Assembly, our message is that while people frowned at the government's long grip on power and was wary of the way it did business, they were swayed on voting day by
- [Media Release: A Citizens’ Jury in Canberra — let’s get it right](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/a-citizens-jury-in-canberra-lets-get-it-right/) - The Chief Minister has announced a Citizen’s Jury on the issue of Compulsory Third Party Insurance. CAPaD has welcomed this step, which provides us all with an opportunity to learn how an important tool for participatory democracy can best work in Canberra (download Media Release document). There are two important ways you can get involved.
- [Committee Meeting 24 February](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/committee-meeting-24-february/) - Next Committee Meeting on February 24, 7:30pm, at St Margaret's Uniting Church, Hackett.
- [General Meeting 16 February](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/next-event/) - Next General Meeting for members and the public is 16 February 2016. Venue: Hellenic Club, Woden. Time: 7:30pm – 9:30 pm (19:30–21:30) To cover costs, we ask for a donation of $10 per attendee.
- [Community engagement in planning of Canberra](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/community-engagement-in-planning-of-canberra/) - CAPaD is hosting a public discussion about community engagement in the Planning of Canberra. Date: Sunday 30 April 2017 Time: 2–5 pm Place: Folk Dance Canberra Hall, 114 Maitland Street , Hackett There is growing public unease about planning decisions in the ACT. Redevelopments at the Yarralumla Brickworks, Manuka Oval, West Basin, the tram, the
- [General Meeting, Sunday 15 October 2017, 2–5pm](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/general-meeting-saturday-15-october-2017-2-5pm/) - We are excited to invite you to our second general meeting for 2017. Three approaches to awakening democracy in the ACT are on the agenda for discussion, endorsement and/or improvement at the meeting: 1. The participation in urban planning working group (formed at the April GM) results and next steps 2. The Draft Principles for
- [SAVE THE DATE for the CAPaD AGM/GM on 19 November, 2–5pm](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/save-the-date-for-the-capad-agmgm-on-26-november-2-5pm/) - The CAPaD committee enthusiastically invites you to SAVE THE DATE for the CAPaD AGM/GM on 19 November 19, 2–5pm. The venue is the St James Uniting Church hall. Enter the car park at 40 Gillies Street. Come to catch up with all that’s happened in the past year and where we’re at now, as well
- [Is there a generational difference in political engagement in Australia?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/is-there-a-generational-difference-in-political-engagement-in-australia/) - A commentary – Peter Tait Stoker G, Li J, Halupka M, Evans M. Complacent young citizens or cross-generational solidarity? An analysis of Australian attitudes to democratic politics. Australian Journal of Political Science. 2017;52(2):218-35. This article seeks to answer the question above. The researchers grouped respondents into four age groups: Builders, Boomers, Generation X and
- [Representation: consent, legitimacy and accountability](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/representation-consent-legitimacy-and-accountability/) - Representation: consent, legitimacy and accountability Peter Tait, member CAPAD At our current point in the evolution of human governance, a combination of factors (1) means that in nation states using a liberal democracy model, some form of representation in the decision making assembly is required. Further, for reasons of custom and usage, the selection method
- [Will the ACT survive the 21st Century and will our local parliamentarians play a role?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/will-the-act-survive-the-21st-century-and-will-our-local-parliamentarians-play-a-role/) - Julian Cribb has just published a book entitled Surviving the 21st-century. Humanity’s ten great challenges and how we can overcome them. The book has been unanimously praised by a cast reviewers that includes Paul Ehrlich, Robyn Williams, Clive Hamilton, Peter Doherty, former Governor-General Michael Jeffery, David Lindenmeyer, Mark Stafford-Smith, Bill McKibben and Ian Lowe. Cribb
- [Read about the 141 candidates for the ACT Legislative Assembly !](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/read-about-the-141-candidates-for-the-act-legislative-assembly/) - A total of 124 endorsed representatives of 10 political parties and another 17 independent candidates will be competing for our votes on October 15.The voting papers in the five electorates will each contain the names of between 24 and 33 candidates, set out by party. For our vote to be valid we will need to
- [Candidate Statements a valuable resource for voters](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/candidate-statements-a-valuable-resource-for-voters/) - Pity the poor voter who wants to do the right thing and choose his or her own preferred five candidates out of between 24 and 33 declared candidates in his/her electorate from as many as 9 parties and a slate of between 2 and 8 independents. The Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy is trying to
- [Pledges to tell truth from not all ACT Federal Election Candidates](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/statements-by-act-federal-election-candidates/) - CAPaD has issued a one page Candidate Statement inviting each ACT candidate in the coming Federal election to summarise their qualifications for being a parliamentarian and specify the main issues which they will stand up for. Some seem shy about the "truth pledge". More information is at Home » Events » Requests for Candidate Statements
- [Media Release: Citizen Jury re Tax Reform?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/media-release-citizen-jury-re-tax-reform/) - Media Release: A Citizen Jury to Assist in Identifying Options for Tax Reform? The Co-Chair of the recently formed Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD), Ms Beth Slatyer, today welcomed the recent statement by the Treasurer, Scott Morrison, that the Commonwealth government is open to new thinking in the community about tax reform and new
- [Background and Prospects for the Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD)](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/background-and-prospects-for-the-canberra-alliance-for-participatory-democracy-capad-2/) - Talk by Bob Douglas, Sunday 25 October 2015 My task today is to outline the background to this meeting and to say a little about what the new Alliance could achieve. The steering group which has brought you together today grew out of a couple of public meetings held earlier this year that in turn
- [Why do we need a Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/why-do-we-need-a-canberra-alliance-for-participatory-democracy-2/) - Democracy is in trouble across the Western world. Australia is not alone in experiencing a large fall in political party membership, undue influence of the corporate sector on government thinking; declining public trust in the decisions of political leaders, and cynicism in the electorate about protection of the public interest. The public interest is here

## Pages

- [Home Page](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/) - Community organisation promoting good governance for the public good by providing education and information to support people participate better in democracy. Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy
- [CAPaD Activity](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/activity/) - CAPaD is working to make our political system work more democratically. Look below to see what we are doing and what we have done. Please explore Please click on the tab to open that activity Up next - Expanding the ACT Assembly for better government – is it time? October 19th, Irish Club Weston, 6pm.
- [About Us](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/about-us/) - Photo by Brian Rope CAPaD promotes individual and community well-being and the common good in a healthy environment by advancing education to inspire people to participate in strengthening democracy. Purpose: Vision, Mission How we make change Values Committee Constitution Annual Reports & AGMs Origins Our Vision A democratic Australia — where
- [Join | Renew | Donate | Volunteer | Bequeath](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/join/) - Membership is open to people and organisations who complete the membership application, agree to the objectives of the association and to comply with the Act and the Association’s rules, and pay the prescribed annual fee. CAPaD's membership year is 1 July to 30 June. Members who join in May or June, have their membership carried
- [Action Group — Genuine Citizen Participation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-gcp/) - We will continue to improve ways for citizens to participate in creating our future in Canberra and beyondThe Genuine Citizen Participation Action Group (GCPAG) will strengthen democracy in the ACT by encouraging effective citizen participation in policy making. Our goals are to ensure: The citizen voice is influential in ACT
- [Action Group — Representatives' Roles Responsibilities & Relationships](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-mlarra/) - Defining the role and responsibilities of MLAs and active community members, and the ongoing dynamic relationship between them Representing as a two way street … issues with our democracy go deeper than just how governments and their public servants develop policies, and how they involve citizens in doing that. Representative democracy requires citizens to delegate
- [Action Groups](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/action-groups/) - CAPaD focusses on taking action to change politics so people can participate better in decisions that affect them. We work through Action Groups. Click on an Action Group box below for information on how to become involved. 2019- 2020 Actions 2018 Achievements 2018 Actions 2016/2017 Achievements Genuine Citizen Participation in Gov't Citizens' Jury/Mini-public evaluation. Continue
- [2024 ACT Election Candidate Engagement](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/2024-act-election/) - Candidate videos have been removed. Canberrans expectations of MLAs, and questions for Candidates Candidate Pre-voting Engagement in Graphics (4/10/24) Candidate Engagement during voting - Use of Voter Assist Sites (12/10/24) Candidate Engagement during voting - Use of CAPaD Materials (12/10/24) Return to Elections page Engagement by Candidates by Electorate Yerrabi Ginninderra Kurrajong Murrumbidgee Brindabella [table
- [ELECTIONS](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/elections/) - We recognise that who you vote for is your choice. At elections, the voters' job is to select the candidates who we think are most qualified and suited to represent us. In a representative democracy voting is one of our citizen powers and knowing our candidates is crucial to knowing who to preference. We want
- [2025 Federal Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/2025-federal-election/) - Why an MP Role Description Our members of parliament (MPs), have a very important job – governing the country. We all have a vague idea what they do but do we really understand their job? Do candidates understand the job? How can we know they are up to the job if we aren’t clear what
- [Contact Us](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/contact/) - We would love to hear from you! Fill out this form, press the Send button and you will also receive a copy of your email. OR Email directly to Secretary You can follow us on Blue Sky @CAPADAUS Contact Us On-line Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your Message Do you wish to attached
- [Democracy in Action! Conversations](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/democracy-in-action-conversations/) - This year we asked the ACT community to help us define how we know our MLAs are doing a good job for the community. Then we worked with Canberrans to develop criteria and based on these a set of questions to ask candidates, to help you choose how to preference the candidates who you vote
- [What Canberrans Expect of their MLAs](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/what-canberrans-expect-of-their-mlas/) - From three Democracy in Action! Conversations, Canberrans reflected on and came up with a set of qualities and attributes they expect in their MLAs (and other representatives). CAPaD believes that where representatives show these characteristics, public trust in governments will improve. We also believe it will help good governance for the public good. From this
- [Know Your Candidates Forums](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/know-your-candidates-forums/) - Times, venues and Registration links We are inviting all candidates to the Know Your Candidate Forums, where they can publicly speak to the expectations which Canberrans have for them as representatives. We recognise that who you vote for is your choice. We want to help you, the voters, know your candidates as people. To
- [2024 ACT Election Democracy in Action Conversations](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/2024-act-election-democracy-in-action-conversations/) - Democracy in Action! Conversations This year we asked the ACT community to help us define how we know our MLAs are doing a good job for the community. Then we worked with Canberrans to develop criteria and based on these a set of questions to ask candidates, to help you choose how to preference the
- [ACT 2020 Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-e2020/) - Compare the candidates for the 2020 ACT Election to see who might represent you best. On this page Candidates' Responses by Electorate Canberra Liberals collective response: "Our candidates do not sign individual pledges ..." The full letter from the Canberra Liberals is available here. Download a blank Candidate Statement. At a glance: List of candidates
- [Democracy in the Media](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/media/) - Photo by Brian Rope 20th Don Dunstan Oration: The Courage Party? Professor Barry Jones keenly analyses the manner in which Australia has descended into a political abyss. How do we climb out of it? Do we need a ‘Courage Party’ to address major long term issues, such as refugees, climate change and taxation? This 'Courage Party' is
- [Action Group — Connected Communities](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-cc/) - Continuing to support other community groups to better use and change the political systemWe will address this by: promoting our Kitchen Table Conversations (KTCs) Tool Kit for community groups engaging and working with community groups to enhance their campaign objectives The Connected Communities Action group’s “theory of change” is that generating community and suburb level
- [Committee Members](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/committee/)
- [Annual General Meeting 6 November](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/annual-general-meeting-6-november/) - Our AGM and Celebration on Sunday 6 November will be a chance to recap what CAPaD has been doing over the last year, share our success and learning in this ground-breaking venture, and get involved in the year ahead. We look forward to seeing you there. Please bring interested colleagues and friends. Where: Folk Dance
- [2020 ACT Legislative Assembly Elections](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-e2020/2020-act-legislative-assembly-elections/) - Return to 2020 Election Front Page Candidates by Electorate Yerrabi Ginninderra Kurrajong Murrumbidgee Brindabella [table id=16 /] [table id=17 /] [table id=18 /] [table id=19 /] [table id=20 /] Back to top of page Maps in this webpage copyright of ACT Electoral Commission from https://www.elections.act.gov.au/electoral_boundaries/electorates/electorates-2020-election Return to 2020 Election Front Page Authorised by Peter
- [2020 ACT Election Candidate Responses by Electorate by Questions](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/2020-act-election-candidate-responses-by-electorate-by-questions/) - Responses by candidates to CAPaD's Candidate Statement questions are arranged here by Electorate and then by question to allow easy comparison. Candidate Responses by Question Yerrabi Ginninderra Kurrajong Murrumbidgee Brindabella Question Skills and experience for being an MLA [table id=51 filter="yerrabi" filter_columns="1" hide_columns="1,6,7,8,9,10" ] Skills and experiences for a role in the ministry [table id=51
- [Empathy and Collaborative Meaning-Making: An Overview of Citizens’ Councils](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/empathy-and-collaborative-meaning-making-an-overview-of-citizens-councils/) - This workshop gave a taste of Dynamic Facilitation as a process in the “operating system” of the Citizens’ Councils recently featured in the OECD’s report on “Innovative Citizen Participation and New Democratic Institutions”. It was hosted and facilitated by Rosa Zubizarreta, Andy Paice, Martha Cuffy and Mark Spain. The links on this page take you
- [Action Groups — Alliance Building](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-ab/) - Advocate for our work with other organisations and explore ideas for collaborationBackground The Canberra Alliance wants to change how governance works to deliver the best possible outcomes for society and our planet. We aim to start a movement to bring about the changes needed to do this. Fundamental to building a successful movement is to
- [Action Groups — Social Change Training](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-sct/) - Build community capacity for social change by working with ACT organisations to identify training needs and then to arrange (not deliver) that trainingBackground The Canberra Alliance believes that people will be able to more effectively be a part of changing society to how we want it to be if they have some knowledge and skills
- [Action Groups — Creating the New Story](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-cns/) - Produce and promote a vision for good participatory governance in the ACT and ideas for bringing that aboutBackground One element of inspiring and mobilizing people for change is having a compelling ‘story’ about the desired change that answers these questions: How do we want our world to be? How is this new situation going to
- [Test New Table Election Candidate Responses](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/test-new-table-election-candidate-responses/) - Test Kurrajong Candidates Responses by Question This is a draft of a table that might be developed to give voters an easier way to access candidates' responses. [table id=21 /] Tweet
- [Do candidate statements make a difference?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/do-candidate-statements-make-a-difference/) - Analysis of web site visits in relation to election periods We have analysed visits and visitor numbers to our website over five year covering the past three elections (one ACT in 2016, and two federal in 2016 and 2019). The figure shows visits and visitor numbers from 2015 up to the middle of August 2020.
- [Search Results](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/search_gcse/) - Search Results
- [test1](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/test1/) - Compare the candidates for the 2020 ACT Election to see who might represent you best. General information about the election Elections ACT Register of Political Parties for the 2020 election 2020 ACT Election NEW VOTING PROCESS This year, Elections ACT have decided to hold extended voting from 28th September up to the election day of October 17th.
- [Home-old](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/home-old/) - Our vision: a democratic Canberra, where citizens trust their elected representatives, hold them accountable, engage in decision making and defend what sustains the public interest We want to do more than just describe what a better democracy might look like, we want to actually make it happen in the ACT Action Focuses Continuing to improve
- [Federal 2019 Elections](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/federal-2019/) - Candidates by Electorate Bean Canberra Fenner Senate Return to Elections page [table id=7 /] Return to Elections page Return to Elections page [table id=8 /] Return to Elections page Return to Elections page [table id=9 /] Return to Elections page Return to Elections page [table id=10 /] Return to Elections page Candidate Statement and Charter
- [No Statement](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/no-statement/) - These candidates have NOT submitted a Candidate Statement to CAPaD (but these have) Return to 2016 ACT election tab Electorate Ginninderra Brindabella Yerrabi Murrumbidgee Kurrajong Total (% total announced candidates in party) Liberal Party Elizabeth Kikkert Ignatius Rozario Annette Fazey-Southwell Andrew Wall Alistair Coe Amanda Lynch James Milligan Justin States Jessica Adelan-Langford Paul House Giulia
- [Statement](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/statement/) - Go to Candidate Statements Return to 2016 ACT election tab These candidates have submitted a Candidate Statement to CAPaD (but these have not) Electorate Ginninderra Brindabella Yerrabi Murrumbidgee Kurrajong Total (% total announced candidates in party) Liberal Party Vicki Dunne Denise Fisher Paul Sweeney Ed Cocks Nicole Lawder Mark Parton Jacob Vadakkedathu Jeremy Hanson Peter
- [Deliberate ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/deliberate-act/) - Are you interested in exploring how citizens and governments can better deliberate, decide and collaborate — together? Join members of the public, academics, passionate democracy advocates, engagement practitioners, public servants. Deliberate ACT is a collaboration between the Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy, University of Canberra’s Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance ACT Government. 2019
- [Downloads 2](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/downloads-2/) - Photo by Brian Rope CAPaD Documents Book Reviews ACT Government ACT Elections 2016 Background Information Constitution Membership Form Citizens Assembly Information Kit: Citizen Assembly as best practice consultation Kitchen Table Conversation Kit Representation: consent, legitimacy and accountability, by Peter Tait CAPaD Policy and Role regarding the 2016 Federal and ACT Elections IAF Methodology David van
- [ACT 2016 Elections — No Statement Made](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/act2016-no/) - These candidates have NOT submitted a Candidate Statement to CAPaD (but these have) Table View Matrix View [table id=15 /] Electorate Ginninderra Brindabella Yerrabi Murrumbidgee Kurrajong Total (% total announced candidates in party) Liberal Party Elizabeth Kikkert Ignatius Rozario Annette Fazey-Southwell Andrew Wall Alistair Coe Amanda Lynch James Milligan Justin States Jessica Adelan-Langford Paul House
- [ACT 2016 Elections — Statement Made](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/act2016-yes/) - These candidates have submitted a Candidate Statement to CAPaD (but these have not) Table View Matrix View [table id=14 /] Electorate Ginninderra Brindabella Yerrabi Murrumbidgee Kurrajong Total (% total announced candidates in party) Liberal Party Vicki Dunne Denise Fisher Paul Sweeney Ed Cocks Nicole Lawder Mark Parton Jacob Vadakkedathu Jeremy Hanson Peter Hosking Candice Burch
- [Federal 2019 Elections - old](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/federal-2019-old/) - ACT Candidate Statements for Federal Election 2019 Completed Statements have been received from candidates whose names are shown in red. Download this information as a PDF. CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTORATE OF BEAN David Smith (ALP) Ed Cocks (Liberal) Johnathan Davis (Greens) Matt Donnelly (LDP) Therese Faulkner (Prog) Tony Hanley (UAP) Ben Rushton (GAP) Jamie Christie
- [Downloads](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/downloads/) - Photo by Brian Rope CAPaD Documents Book Reviews ACT Government ACT Elections 2016 Background Information Constitution Membership Form Citizens Assembly Information Kit: Citizen Assembly as best practice consultation Kitchen Table Conversation Kit Representation: consent, legitimacy and accountability, by Peter Tait CAPaD Policy and Role regarding the 2016 Federal and ACT Elections IAF Methodology David van
- [SouthFest](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/southfest/) - SouthFest was a Community Party held in the Tuggeranong Town Centre on 24 November 2018 CAPaD set up a stall at SouthFest. We asked passers-by for their ideas about how elected representatives could do a better job of engaging us as constituents. In essence people told us: They wanted elected representatives to be much more active at
- [Economic Democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/economic-democracy/) - Photo by Brian Rope Book Review : The Divine Right of Capital by Marjorie Kelly. Essential reading. The modern corporation and its largest shareholders today occupy the place in society formerly occupied by "divinely-appointed" royalty. Ideas for how to deal with it. Ethical Investor : ACCR will appeal Federal Court decision in its fight for
- [Sortition](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/sortition/) - Photo by Brian Rope The Tech : Arrow's Theorem proves no voting system is perfect. (MIT, 2003) Why not select politicians as randomly as jurists?, Bouricius, T., Schecter, D., Wallace, C., and Gastil, J. (19/04/2016) Are Elections Ruining Democracy? by John Keane, Prof. of Politics, Sydney University (06/03/2016) (Refer also to John Keane's Democracy field
- [Resources & Organisations](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/links/) - Photo by Brian Rope Participedia : Strengthening democracy through shared knowledge: a list of hundreds of participatory experiments and experiences across the world. Precariat : a social class formed by people with little or no predictability or security in their lives, and no job security. Ascribed to the entrenchment of neoliberal capitalism. Museum of Australian
- [Action Groups — Citizens Juries & Mini-Public Evaluation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-cjmpe/) - Monitor evaluation of the ACT CTP Citizens Jury and Carer’s Strategy Panel, and advocate for more trialsBackground We want to promote and expand the use of participatory and deliberative democracy methods in Canberra. However we believe that these methods need to be used well. We note and support the development of Deliberate ACT as a
- [Library (test)](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/downloads-test/) - Topic: Sortition Articles The Tech: Arrow's Theorem proves no voting system is perfect. (MIT, 2003) Why not select politicians as randomly as jurists? Bouricius, T., Schecter, D., Wallace, C., and Gastil, J. (19/04/2016) Are Elections Ruining Democracy? John Keane, Prof. of Politics, Sydney University (06/03/2016) Refer also to John Keane's Democracy field notes, Questions about
- [Site Map](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/site_map/) - Page Hierarchy 2020 ACT Election Candidate Responses by Electorate by Questions 2024 ACT Election Candidate Engagement 2024 ACT Election Democracy in Action Conversations 2025 Federal Election About Us ACT 2016 Elections — No Statement Made ACT 2016 Elections — Statement Made ACT 2020 Election 2020 ACT Legislative Assembly Elections Action Group — Connected Communities Action
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- [Action Groups — Urban Planning](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/ag-urban/) - Implement the “asks” agreed by CAPaD & the Community Councils Urban Planning Working group in 2017 (including building a community of practice) Background In 2017 The Canberra Alliance started working with Community Councils, residents’ groups, local organisations and community members to identify how we could improve community participation in urban planning and development in Canberra.
- [Communications](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/comms/) - Design and maintain effective internal and external communications Tweet
- [Meetings](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/timetable/) - Photo by Brian Rope 2017 Meetings Timetable Next Committee meeting: 1 February General meetings will be held four times during the year. Meeting dates after February have yet to be decided.
- [Campaigns](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/campaigns/) - Photo by Brian Rope
- [Federal 2016 Elections](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/all-act-2016-federal/) - NAMEPartySigned?MONTAGNE, JessicaAnimal Justice PartyNoBRODTMANN, GaiAustralian Labor PartyNoGALLAGHER, KatyAustralian Labor PartyNoSMITH, DavidAustralian Labor PartyNoBAILEY, StevenAustralian Sex PartyNoSWAN, RobbieAustralian Sex PartyNoBOHM, TimBullet Train For AustraliaNoBUCKNELL, Christopher D'ArcyBullet Train For AustraliaNoKIM, David WilliamChristian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)NoTADROS, ElizabethChristian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)NoWOODMAN, AndrewIndependentNoADELAN-LANGFORD, JessicaLiberalNoGUNNING, RobertLiberalNoHIATT, JaneLiberalNoSESELJA, ZedLiberalNoDONNELLY, MattLiberal DemocratsNoHENNINGS, CawleyLiberal DemocratsNoWYATT, JessRise Up Australia PartyNoEDWARDS, DavidSecular
- [Requests for Candidate Statements](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/requests/) - A one page Candidate Statement (below) invites each ACT candidate in the coming Federal election to summarise their qualifications for being a parliamentarian and specify the main issues which they will stand up for. Not all candidates have shown willing to sign the pledge to tell the truth. As the Canberra Times reported, "Curiously, none
- [DemFest 2016: People Power for Democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/demfest16/) - Time to Awaken Democracy! Canberra's first Festival of Democracy was held over the weekend of 18-19 June 2016 at the University of Canberra. It involved participants in a deep, rich and respectful conversation that fostered an understanding of power as a concept the different ways to frame power and exposure to the mechanics of power

## Events

- [2026 CAPaD AGM](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2026-capad-agm/) - Be part of setting the future for CAPaD for another year. Annual Report and other papers. Zoom link to attend: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82905882663 RSVP.
- [A Citizens' Assembly for the ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/a-citizens-assembly-for-the-act/) - The ACT Standing Citizens’ Assembly (SCA) is a three-year project to build momentum for a trial of well facilitated input from Canberrans to government in the ACT. The Citizens' Assembly would assist the ACT Legislative Assembly to govern for better social and environmental outcomes. It builds on international experience of citizens’ assemblies. You can find
- [Spotlight on Community Councils](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/spotlight-on-community-councils/) - Event 2 Re-imagining Governance for the ACT: A Public Event Series - Spotlight on Community Councils – what do they do, challenges and opportunities, and where to from here? Hosted by CAPaD & Active Democracy Bean Panel discussion with a representative from TVCC and WVCC, and a representative from the Greens on their concept of
- [Re-imagining How the ACT Assembly Might Work - Co-Design Workshop](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/re-imagining-how-the-act-assembly-might-work-part-3/) - Re-imagining Governance for the ACT: A Public Event Series, part 3 Co‑Designing the Future of ACT Governance | Community Workshop | Hosted by CAPaD & Active Democracy Bean After two weeks of public polling and a major panel discussion, we’re inviting the community together to turn ideas for reforms to the ACT Legislative Assembly and
- [Reimagining How the ACT Assembly Might Work - Panel](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/workshop-how-could-the-act-be-a-model-of-governing-for-people-and-planet/) - Re-imagining Governance for the ACT Event Series, event 1: Reimagining How the ACT Assembly Might Work: Looking Back, Looking Forward | Panel + Q&A | Hosted by CAPaD & Active Democracy Bean Join us for a rare and timely conversation with some of the ACT’s most influential political leaders as we reflect on 35 years
- [Re-imagining How the ACT Assembly Might Work - The POLL](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/re-imagining-how-the-act-assembly-might-work-part-2/) - Poll using Pol.is, to collect proposals for reform of the ACT Assembly and government more broadly to feed into the community workshop being held on June 28th. The Poll link is on the Activities Page.
- [Do more MLAs make for better government?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/expanding-the-act-assembly-is-it-time/) - Event 3 Re-imagining Governance for the ACT: A Public Event Series Expanding the ACT Assembly for better government - is it time? Hosted by CAPaD & Active Democracy Bean The 2019 Latimer House Review suggested that the ACT was under represented. We need more MLAs. The next Latimer House Review is happening in 2026 and
- [LOCAL Politics in the Pub Monday 20 April - Jailing is Failing!](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/local-politics-in-the-pub-monday-20-april-jailing-is-failing/) - Building on our successful February event on the AMC Board of Inquiry, the next LOCAL Politics in the Pub event is on Monday 20 April on the topic Jailing is Failing. We all know that Jailing is Failing, that it's very costly, doesn't make us safer and destroys lives. Come and hear about the Justice
- [Community Assembly - following up our MP asks for 2026](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/community-assembly-following-up-our-mp-asks-for-2026/) - We asked our federal MPs to contribute to two things for us this year in parliament: Implement a gas export levy in line with the ‘fair share’ levy (as proposed by the Super Power Institute), and Implement all the recommendations of the Murphy Report (You win some, you lose more, the report of its inquiry
- [What is Sociocracy? How can we use it for more direct democratic practice?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/what-is-sociocracy-how-can-we-use-it-for-more-direct-democratic-practice/) - Direct Democracy is an ideal. It seems to work in small groups but in large and dispersed groups, can we do direct democracy? Sociocracy provides an answer. This session will explore questions such as: what is it? does it work? do we spend all day in meetings? is direct democracy achieved? A conversation between Peter
- [What action are we asking our MPs to take for us in 2026?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/what-action-are-we-asking-our-mps-to-take-in-2026/) - In a representative democracy, our MPs are elected to work on our behalf in the policy and legislative decisions they contribute to in parliament. They have to balance the local and national interests. But how do they know what the local interests are, and how do these fit into the national interests? CAPaD wants to
- [What do we want our MPs to do for us in 2026? poll](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/what-do-we-want-our-mps-to-do-for-us-in-2026-poll/) - This poll and the Community Assembly that follows on March 8th (see below for more details and registration) is an experiment in how we might extend how we, the constituents, participate with our MPs in supporting them fulfilling their representative role. CAPaD is running a short online poll to find out what government action do
- [Using AI to transform governance – live and interactive session](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/using-ai-to-transform-governance-live-and-interactive-session/) - To follow on from the November 16th event (see video here), at this session we will finish looking at the previous conversation had with AI and then do some live work together designing Large Language Model AI prompts and testing these. Participants will be invited to share with the group what they found. Humanitix registration: https://events.humanitix.com/using-ai-to-transform-governance-live-and-interactive-session
- [Pol.is – finding what the people want](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/tools-for-democracy-using-pol-is-for-resident-participation/) - What actions do Canberrans want our five MPs (MHRs and Senators) to take for us in 2026? Be part of deciding. How do we, the people, make sure we are really heard, acknowledged, and not just listened to? CAPaD is offering the chance to have a conversation with them about that. The first step,
- [Exploring radical political change with AI; What could go wrong?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/formenting-radical-political-change-with-ai-what-could-go-wrong/) - We asked a couple of AIs, (ChatGPT, Deepseek and Kairos) What are the ways to deal openly and transparently and strengthen democracy ...? ChatGPT responded: Addressing these 10 anti-democratic principles—outlined by analysts like Noam Chomsky to describe how power can be centralized and democracy hollowed out—requires bold, open, and participatory approaches. Below are concrete democratic
- [Five ideas for improving parliament, in conversation with Lawrie Nock](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/changing-australian-government-without-changing-the-constitution-lawrie-nock-in-conversation-with-peter-tait-and-participants/) - A conversation: Lawrie Nock describes five ways we might improve parliament and government in Australia without needing to change the constitution. Secret ballot voting in Parliament The selection of Executive Councillors or their equivalents (the Ministry), from outside of the elected members of the legislature A democratic process for selecting Australian’s Head of State /
- [2025 CAPaD AGM](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2025-capad-agm/) - When: 2 – 2-30pm, Saturday September 6th 2025 Where: Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street, Weston. if you cannot attend in person, come via Zoom. Register here. Note this is a low tech solution for attendance and will not be as good as being there. Link to AGM documents: 2024 Minutes, 2025 Agenda, Looking Back Looking
- [Local Politics in the Pub - Active Democracy Bean](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/local-politics-in-the-pub-active-democracy-bean/) - Why is Indigenous incarceration in the ACT so high and what needs to change? Julie Tongs.
- [AD Bean - Local Politics in the Pub.](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/ad-bean-local-politics-in-the-pub/) - tba
- [Candidate Forum - Fenner](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/candidate-forum-fenner/) - NOTE - CANCELLED - sorry - due to complex circumstances. More information about our election education activity and links to the other candidate forums videos at our Elections Page.
- [Candidate Forum - Bean](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/candidate-forum-bean/) - CAPaD wants to help voters and candidates understand what our members of parliament do on our behalf. To this end, members of the Canberra community have created voters’ expectations (link). Based on this we have crafted some questions we intend to ask candidates at Forums to be held in each ACT electorate and for aspiring
- [Candidate forum - Canberra](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/candidate-forum-canberra/) - CAPaD wants to help voters and candidates understand what our members of parliament do on our behalf. To this end, members of the Canberra community have created voters’ expectations (link). Based on this we have crafted some questions we intend to ask candidates at Forums to be held in each ACT electorate and for aspiring
- [Candidate forum - Senators](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/candidate-forum-senators/) - CAPaD wants to help voters and candidates understand what our members of parliament do on our behalf. To this end, members of the Canberra community have created voters’ expectations (link). Based on this we have crafted some questions we intend to ask candidates at Forums to be held in each ACT electorate and for aspiring
- [MP Job Description and Questions Session](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/mp-job-description-and-questions-session/) - We have Job Descriptions – why not MPs? Now we are taking the next step to think about what a job description for MPs might look like, building on the 2024 ACT Election activity around the skills and attributes we want our MLAs to demonstrate. In essence, MPs have a very important job – governing
- [Local Politics in the Pub](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/local-politics-in-the-pub/) - Local Politics in the Pub resumes on February 17th at the Austrian Australian Club, Peter Tait will be introducing the MP Job Description. MPs have a very important job – governing the country. We all have a vague idea what they do but do we really understand their job? Do they understand their job? We
- [Democracy SIZZLE](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/democracy-sizzle/) - Please come along to celebrate the year with other members and CAPaD friends and supporters. Weston Park barbecues, BYO plate +/- own sustenance and beverages.
- [Achieving Political Renewal - beginning a conversation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/achieving-political-renewal-beginning-a-conversation/) - The Progressive Action LabProgressive Action Lab, set up by Justin Ryan, seeks to start a conversation about the practice of renewing our government systems, and in particular the selecting for candidates and ultimately about how political parties might be reformed. This fits beside CAPaD’s aim to have 2025 conversations, building on this year’s Democracy in
- [Active Democracy Bean - Local Politics in the Pub](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-bean-local-politics-in-the-pub-2/) - 2024 ACT election wrap with election analyst Malcolm Baalman. Then we'll have a break till February. We welcome suggestions for topics and speakers for next year – just email your ideas.
- [Active Democracy Bean - Local Politics in the Pub](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-bean-local-politics-in-the-pub/) - Restorative approaches to justice. The ACT has the third highest rate of Indigenous child removals and youth 10-17 in detention, and very high Indigenous adult incarceration and recidivism. We know that jailing is failing, and different approaches are needed. Come and hear Dr Holly Northam, Convenor of the Canberra Restorative Community and Dr Wayne Applebee,
- [ACT Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/act-election/) - The election is coming up fast. Know your candidates as people so that you can choose who you think are the best five people to represent you in your electorate. Find out more about them on this website at our Know Your Candidate pages.
- [Purpose - building Wellbeing Economy Governments (film)](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/purpose-building-wellbeing-economy-governments-film/) - CAPaD supported event Purpose is a documentary feature film which follows the journey of two political economists, Katherine Trebeck & Lorenzo Fioramonti, with a simple dream: Change the way progress is measured in order to change what governments do. Over two years this film traces their efforts to build Wellbeing Economy Governments, with
- [Know Your Candidate Forum Murrumbidgee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/know-your-candidate-forum-murrumbidgee/) - Come and hear what candidates think about what Canberrans expect of their MLAs. Or Zoom in. Know your candidates as people, not their policy or promises. Help build a new way of doing elections and politics in the ACT. Find more details about what Canberrans expect and the questions for the Know your candidates forums
- [Know Your Candidate Forum Ginninderra](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/know-your-candidate-forum-ginninderra/) - Come and hear what candidates think about what Canberrans expect of their MLAs. Or Zoom in. Know your candidates as people, not their policy or promises. Help build a new way of doing elections and politics in the ACT. Find more details about what Canberrans expect and the questions for the Know your candidates forums
- [Know Your Candidate Forum Kurrajong](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/know-your-candidate-forum-kurrajong/) - Come and hear what candidates think about what Canberrans expect of their MLAs. Or Zoom in. Know your candidates as people, not their policy or promises. Help build a new way of doing elections and politics in the ACT. Find more details about what Canberrans expect and the questions for the Know your candidates forums
- [Know Your Candidate Forum Brindabella](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/know-your-candidate-forum-brindabella/) - Come and hear what candidates think about what Canberrans expect of their MLAs. Know your candidates as people, not their policy or promises. Help build a new way of doing elections and politics in the ACT. Or Zoom in. Find more details about what Canberrans expect and the questions for the Know your candidates forums
- [Know Your Candidate Forum Yerrabi](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/know-your-candidate-forum-yerrabi/) - Come and hear what candidates think about what Canberrans expect of their MLAs. Know your candidates as people, not their policy or promises. Help build a new way of doing elections and politics in the ACT. Find more details about what Canberrans expect and the questions for the Know your candidates forums on our website,
- [To what extent is local governance in Australia an institution for deliberative power-sharing? Zoom Event](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/getting-community-involved-in-local-government-zoom-event/) - Scope for democracy at the local municipal / town / suburb government level is rich. This session will explore how political power is shared via deliberation, especially democratic innovations, in three Australian local governments. I am also exploring the democratic, political and institutional conditions for power-sharing in Australian local governments. Anne Jedzini will talk about
- [Beyond the talk! – Indigenous-led solutions NOW! - AD Bean event](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/campaign-information-session/) - Plans for the Campaign Information Session on Sunday 26 May from 3-5pm at the Tuggeranong Community Centre are progressing. You can register here The campaign name and key messages will be announced in a few weeks following discussion with Indigenous representatives and ANTaR ACT. This session is for anyone who would like to be involved,
- [Democracy in Action! - Conversation 2 of 3](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/democracy-in-action-conversation-2-of-3/) - Conversation 1 established some expectations and qualities for our representatives. Conversation 2 seeks to define how we would apply these to deciding who will be a candidate worth voting for. The report from Conversation 1 and further details for Conversation 2 will be posted as they come to hand. See also our Elections Page for
- [Democracy in Action! Conversation 1 of 3](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/democracy-in-action-conversation-1-of-3/) - 19th October is an ACT election. Democracy isn’t just voting; it is holding those we vote for to account for what they do for us. And, how they do it. This year we want you to help redefine how we assess candidates, setting the stage for an Assembly that truly represents us – the people
- [Knowing ourselves – an early step in local democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/knowing-ourselves-an-early-step-in-local-democracy/) - 12 Months out from the next ACT election, what do Canberrans think about living in Canberra? Place Score surveys local government areas across Australia each year to find out what locals think is good, and not so good, about their local area. Some of you may have filled in this year's survey a few months
- [Living democracy into being](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/living-democracy-into-being/) - Third in this series of Canberra Conversations about living democracy, we will explore in more depth how to build new political systems to which we can transfer our consent. When: Aug 20, 2023 02:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodeqtqD4oH9N5h3lUnOeA8miMI3YmUP9G After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information
- [2023 CAPaD AGM](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2023-capad-agm/) - Members and current supporters will be notified of the link and passcode. If you would like to join in please contact us.
- [Exercising our democratic muscles - living democracy into being](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/how-to-live-democracy-into-being/) - July 2 Time 1400 – 1515 Venue – Zoom What does it look like to be exercising our own democratic muscles in a way which actively withdraws consent from the existing systems? Speakers: Tim Hollo, Mark Spain This session picks up from the Canberra Conversations event in May which left many questions unanswered. Register for
- [Active Democracy Bean tips on running Together, Yes conversations](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-bean-tips-on-running-together-yes-conversations/) - Active Democracy Bean's focus this year is having respectful conversations and encouraging community engagement with the Referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament. This will be done within the framework of ADB supporting a Yes vote. ADB are running this event by zoom to as a Together, Yes conversation. Friday 2nd June – tips on
- [Active Democracy Bean Together, Yes conversations support session](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-bean-together-yes-conversations-support-session-3/) - Active Democracy Bean's focus this year is having respectful conversations and encouraging community engagement with the Referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament. This will be done within the framework of ADB supporting a Yes vote. ADB are running this event by zoom to as a Together, Yes conversation. Monday 4th September - Together, Yes
- [Active Democracy Bean Together, Yes conversations support session](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-bean-together-yes-conversations-support-session-2/) - Active Democracy Bean's focus this year is having respectful conversations and encouraging community engagement with the Referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament. This will be done within the framework of ADB supporting a Yes vote. ADB are running this event by zoom to as a Together, Yes conversation. Tuesday 1st August - Together, Yes
- [Active Democracy Bean Together, Yes conversations support session](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-bean-together-yes-conversations-support-session/) - Active Democracy Bean's focus this year is having respectful conversations and encouraging community engagement with the Referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament. This will be done within the framework of ADB supporting a Yes vote. ADB are running this event by zoom to as a Together, Yes conversation. Thursday 6th July – Together, Yes
- [Education for Civics](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/education-for-civics/) - Picking up the thread from our first meeting in May, this event will give interested people space to discuss what we mean by civics and civics education. Recognising that there is no best time for all the group, those present agreed 11 June 1400 to 1500 as a next step to discuss further what we
- [Creating Democratic Energy Systems in Australia](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/creating-democratic-energy-systems-in-australia/) - Creating Democratic Energy Systems in Australia Energy justice and democratising energy are very topical. The technical side is covered well by people such as Saul Griffith. But in local communities, how can the people create and govern these systems? Kevin Cox has been advocating for democratising energy for many years. Mark Spain is active in
- [Tech Supporting Democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/tech-supporting-democracy/) - The next in the series exploring how technology supports democracy is planned for March 14. Please register here.
- [CAPaD's role in Alicia Payne's Citizen Assembly Project in Canberra Federal Electorate](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capads-role-in-alicia-paynes-citizen-assembly-project-in-canberra-federal-electorate/) - We warmly invite you to the following rich conversation Date: Tuesday 11 Oct 2022 Time: 5.30-7pm (Canberra time) Venue: Zoom Register: Humanitix link Cost: Free or by donation Host: CAPaD Presenters: Emma, Emily and Kerry from DemocracyCo Purpose To share with CAPaD members and friends an overview of the pro bono work DemocracyCo is
- [CAPaD’s future activity focus](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capads-future-activity-focus/) - Dear CAPaD friends You are warmly invited to a conversation about the focus of future activity for CAPaD in the context of more overtly moving to being an education charity. Purpose: To explore members views about the reasons for and implications of: - establishing the Awakening Democracy Foundation to receive tax deductible donations for educational
- [2022 Annual General Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2022-annual-general-meeting/) - You are invited to come along to hear what we have achieved this year, elect new members to the Committee and input to what education activity we want to do in the next 12 months. Copy of the Annual Report here, Agenda here and last year's minutes here. Register here to be sent the log
- [Community Independents Project National Event](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/community-independents-project-national-event/) - Details yet to be publicised. Watch this space.
- [Reflection on the 2022 Election - whence now?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/reflection-on-the-2022-election-whence-now/) - Unprecedented community mobilisation swept the Liberal National Parties government away, replacing them with an ALP government and a (as yet to be finally determined) number of community independents and Greens. What stories have you to tell? What surprised you? What did you learn? Where do we go from here in strengthening our democracy further? Register
- [Zoom Event - the Genuine engagement Tool](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/zoom-event-the-genuine-engagement-tool/) - The Genuine Engagement Tool has been developed by CAPaD for community groups to use to assess the quality of governments' engagement with communities. Mark Spain will introduce the tool and then open discussion about how we can apply it. Register here for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
- [2022 Federal Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2022-federal-election/)
- [Active Democracy ACT Big Deal post screening debrief and action 24 Oct](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/active-democracy-act-big-deal-post-screening-debrief-and-action-24-oct/) - On Tuesday 19th October the ABC is showing "The Big Deal" - a new comedic documentary hosted by Craig Reucassel on how money corrupts democracy in Australia. It will then be up on iView. After watching it, we are confident that you will want to talk about it, DO something or find out what is
- [Are you sizzling about democracy?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/are-you-sizzling-about-democracy/) - Postponed Sausages (gourmet, vegan and non-vegan options) and breads provided. BYO salads, drinks, plates, cutlery. A social event to meet and chat. RSVPs closed sorry.
- [DemFest 21 Celebrating Electorate Democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/awakening-democracy-2021/) - Save the date. Click here for more information. It will happen by Zoom and on line. More information will be added as it comes to hand.
- [Our Democracy ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/our-democracy-act-3/) - The next Our Democracy ACT gathering is on June 27th, at 2pm Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEldeigrz4sEtbCisoByxpTFt1BzJBGzZvH After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
- [2021 July Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2021-july-committee-meeting/) - Meetings are open to members. Please email the secretary for log in details.
- [Our Democracy ACT Zoom](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/our-democracy-act-zoom/) - The next Our Democracy ACT zoom is on Jun 6, 2021 01:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne & Sydney Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErceqopjwjHNXyDfAI_8VvVe4-aziniWBj After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. How do we let people know what's happening and where to after KTCs?
- [Our Democracy ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/our-democracy-act-2/) - Our Democracy ACT next meeting Please Register.
- [Our Democracy ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/our-democracy-act/) - Continuing the conversation to create better working relationships with and more accountability of our federal representatives in the ACT. If you haven't received the link and passcode and want to join, please contact the Secretary to be sent the details.
- [2021 April Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2021-april-committee/) - 1915pm to 2130ish; by Zoom. RSVP to be sent contact details and papers.
- [2021 May Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2021-may-2021-committee-meeting/) - 1915pm to 2130ish; by Zoom. RSVP to be sent contact details and papers.
- [Our Democracy group for Canberra?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/our-democracy-group-for-canberra/) - G’day, You are invited to a Zoom event to plan how we, in the federal electorate of Canberra, could set up an Electorate Group. Canberra MP, Alicia Payne, is interested in working with an electorate group in Canberra. People in Fenner or Bean may want to approach Andrew Leigh or David Smith in Bean to
- [2021 June Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2021-june-committee-meeting/) - 1915pm to 2130ish; by Zoom. RSVP to be sent contact details and papers.
- [2021 March Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/march-committee-meeting/) - 1915pm to 2130ish; by Zoom. RSVP to be sent contact details and papers.
- [Special General Meeting - Constitutional Change](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/special-general-meeting-constitutional-change/) - Our constitution needs updating. There will be a Special General Meeting of the Alliance on November 29th at 2pm, for approximately 30 minutes (or less) with the business of amending our constitution as set out below. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98394817361 passcode: sent in notification email. Find the briefing paper here.
- [Empathy and Collaborative Meaning-Making: An Overview of Citizens’ Councils](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/empathy-and-collaborative-meaning-making-an-overview-of-citizens-councils-2/) - Zoom Event NOTE this is a repeat of the 2nd September event. You are warmly invited to a 2hr Zoom seminar hosted by Mark Spain and CAPaD - Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy These activities are in service of our vision: a democratic Canberra (and Australia), where citizens trust their elected representatives, hold them accountable,
- [Empathy and Collaborative Meaning-Making: An Overview of Citizens’ Councils](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/empathy-and-collaborative-meaning-making-an-overview-of-citizens-councils/) - Zoom Event You are warmly invited to a 2hr Zoom seminar hosted by Mark Spain and CAPaD - Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy These activities are in service of our vision: a democratic Canberra (and Australia), where citizens trust their elected representatives, hold them accountable, engage in decision making and defend what sustains the public
- [August Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/august-committee/) - CAPaD Committee meetings are held by Zoom on the last Wednesday of each month. Members are welcome. Let the secretary know if you want to attend so they can send you a link.
- [Democracy 2025 – bridging the trust divide](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/democracy-2025-bridging-the-trust-divide/) - Mark Evans - Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis Democracy 2025 audits the qualities of Australian democracy, investigates and experiments with what works in terms of renewing our representative system of government and facilitates non-partisan conversations on how to improve our democratic practice and be the best democracy that we can be. Mark will describe
- [September Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/september-committee/) - CAPaD Committee meetings are held by Zoom on the last Wednesday of each month. Members are welcome. Let the secretary know if you want to attend so they can send you a link.
- [October Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/october-committee/) - CAPaD Committee meetings are held by Zoom on the last Wednesday of each month. Members are welcome. Let the secretary know if you want to attend so they can send you a link.
- [Annual General Meeting for 2020](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/annual-general-meeting-for-2020/) - This will be held by Zoom. Agenda: Reports Selection of Committee Following the business meeting we plan to hold a further event, to be decided.
- [November Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/november-committee/) - CAPaD Committee meetings are held by Zoom on the last Wednesday of each month. Members are welcome. Let the secretary know if you want to attend so they can send you a link.
- [2020 ACT Election - Choosing the candidate who will deliver government with we, the people](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/2020-act-election-choosing-the-candidate-who-will-deliver-government-with-we-the-people/) - Sunday 28th June, 2-3.30pm A CAPaD Zoom Event 2020 ACT Election - Choosing the candidate who will deliver government with we, the people. During this year’s election campaign, we are inviting candidates to tell us what their qualifications to represent us are, and how they intend to involve us in government. We have prepared a
- [Government with the people – building trust in deliberative processes](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/government-with-the-people-building-trust-in-deliberative-processes/) - Lyn Stevens will present CAPaD’s reflections on the OECD review of citizen deliberative processes and its relevance for the ACT experience of deliberation. Register at Humantix here. Zoom login details will be sent on registration. Our report Citizen Review of 2017-18 participatory deliberative processes in the ACT can be found here. The OECD report,
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee-6/) - Regular Committee meeting. Members welcome. Sign in on Zoom.
- [Revitalising democracy: possibilities for electorate level mobilisations to achieve better parliamentary representation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/revitalising-democracy-possibilities-for-electorate-level-mobilisations-to-achieve-better-parliamentary-representation/) - Rob Salter will be leading a conversation: A Third Domain of Political Engagement: Learning from Indi. Join in a discussion about how voters can better engage with our MPs in the political processes. A CAPaD Zoom Event Sunday 31st May, 2-3.30pm Register here Queries to: secretary@canberra-alliance.org.au
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee-5/) - Regular Committee meeting. Members welcome.
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee-7/) - Regular Committee meeting. Members welcome.
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee-4/) - Regular Committee meeting. Members welcome.
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee-3/) - Regular Committee meeting. Members welcome.
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee-2/) - Regular Committee meeting. Members welcome.
- [CAPaD Committee](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-committee/) - Regular end of month Committee Meeting. All members welcome
- [Deliberative Democratic prospects? International and Australian experience](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/deliberative-democratic-prospects-international-and-australian-experience/) - All over the world, citizens and decision-makers increasingly turn to deliberative democracy to break national political deadlocks. From the Irish constitutional convention to the French Convention on Climate Change to Hong Kong’s residents calling for a citizens’ assembly, there is a growing appetite for forums designed for ordinary citizens to come together, learn about complex
- [Getting the Democracy we want: government with the people](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/getting-the-democracy-we-want-government-with-the-people/) - Four CAPad members will share what the group is doing and learning, ideas for democratic renewal in the ACT and actions we can take as individuals and in our groups and associations.
- [Cultivating Democracy: Green Institute Conference](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/cultivating-democracy-green-institute-conference/) - The Green Institute’s 2019 conference will challenge us to think deeply about democracy, and inspire us to act fast, and with great determination, to cultivate democracy at every level.
- [CAPaD 2019 AGM](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-2019-agm/) - We have an exciting year planned for 2020, working with others in the community to strengthen our democracy and ensure that we move towards Government WITH the People.
- [Getting the democracy we want: how community action can transform democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/getting-the-democracy-we-want-how-community-action-can-transform-democracy/) - We are looking at transformations to make better democracy, and will explore ideas for democratic renewal in the ACT, and actions we can take as individuals and in our groups and associations.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [Deliberate ACT Meet Up #11  -  Deliberating Well – What conditions are needed?](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/deliberate-act-meet-up-11-deliberating-well-what-conditions-are-needed/) - Deliberating Well – What conditions are needed? We will recap on our work with 'deliberative capabilities' and go on to think about what conditions are needed to enhance deliberative behaviours and processes. Simon Niemeyer will present some research findings of relevance, and we'll think about where we'd like to go from here.
- [DeliberateACT Meet Up #10](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/deliberateact-meet-up-10/) - DeliberateACT Meet Up #10 will consider Deliberating Well – Have you got what it takes? The session will look at what skills and attributes you need to get the most out of deliberation, in an interactive and practical way. The session will be facilitated by Wendy Russell and Mark Spain. Please register via EventBrite.
- [National Integrity Forum “Our Choices”: A forum to discuss design of a National Integrity Commission](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/national-integrity-forum-our-choices-a-forum-to-discuss-design-of-a-national-integrity-commission/) - The Accountability Round Table with the Australian Open Government Partnership Network, Transpareny International Australia and Griffith University invite you to a National Integrity Forum “Our Choices”: A forum to discuss design of a National Integrity Commission and highlight priorities for reform in the areas of political donations, lobbying and codes of conduct. Parliament House, in
- [Raising the citizen’s voice – on the couch with democracyCo](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/raising-the-citizens-voice-on-the-couch-with-democracyco/) - Emma Fletcher and Emily Jenke, Co-CEOs, democracyCo Raising the citizen’s voice in government decision-making. This session will give you insights into democracyCo’s learnings and experiences in running processes that improve the community’s understanding of the facts and evidence and of each other, as well as enable government to understand where the vast majority of its
- [Democratic Conversations: Ireland’s constitutional mini-publics](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/democratic-conversations-irelands-constitutional-mini-publics/) - Join Professor David Farrell, University College of Dublin, Dr Nicole Curato, University of Canberra and Dr Simon Niemeyer, Australian National University for a discussion on how the Republic of Ireland has been a trailblazer in the use of deliberative mini-publics for important topics of constitutional reform, including marriage equality.
- [Come share some love for democracy!](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/come-share-some-love-for-democracy/) - Join our conversation about ways to improve our system and why this matters!
- [Situation Normal: Populism from Antiquity to the Age of Trump](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/situation-normal-populism-from-antiquity-to-the-age-of-trump/)
- [Deliberate ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/deliberate-act/) - Deliberate ACT Engaging young people and a recent pilot program, Deliberation in Schools Dame Pattie Menzies House (North Building)Ground floor function room16 Challis StreetDickson, ACT 2602 Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/deliberateact-community-of-interest-meet-up-9-tickets-53894951250 More info: http://canberra-alliance.org.au/deliberate-act/
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting-2/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.
- [CAPAD Committee Meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/event/capad-monthly-meeting/) - CAPAD's committee meeting is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the SEE-Change Office, Downer shops. Members welcome.

## Staff

- [Peter W. Tait](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/staff/pwt/) - (Convener) Peter Tait has been a General Practitioner for over 40 years, 30 in Aboriginal health in Central Australia. He was the 2007 RACGP GP of the Year and Public Health Association Australian Sidney Sax Medalist in 2017. He achieved a Masters of Climate Change at ANU in 2010. He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer
- [Bob Douglas](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/staff/douglas/) - (Ordinary Member) Bob Douglas, retired from the Foundation Directorship of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the ANU in 2001. Since then, he has been actively involved as a volunteer in several organisations including SEE-Change, CAPaD and The Council for The Human Future. For twenty three years he also played a key
- [Barbara O'Dwyer](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/staff/barbara-odwyer/) - (Deputy Convener)
- [Gilles Rohan](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/staff/gilles-rohan/) - (Ordinary Member) Gilles Rohan has been a medical practitioner for over 30 years. He has worked mainly in the areas of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and General Practice. He also has qualifications in Public Health, and Resource and Environmental Management. Over the years he has participated in the activities of a wide variety of
- [Mark Spain](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/staff/spain/) - (Treasurer) Mark Spain is a leader and learner in developing systems, structures and processes that build innovation, curiosity and high-trust relationships with people and their organisations to produce sustainable business results. He enjoys working with energetic teams of people who are focused on creating extraordinary results. He is particularly passionate about implementing sustainable and ethical

## Categories

- [CAPaD Blog](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/blog/) - Main Blog
- [Events](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/events/)
- [Home](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/home/) - Appear on Home Page
- [Campaigns](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/campaigns/)
- [Views](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/musings/)
- [Action Groups](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/action-groups/) - All Action Group Blogs
- [Resources](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/action-groups/resources/) - Resources (Good Things to Read)
- [MLA Relationships](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/action-groups/mlar/) - Exploring new ways of defining the role of MLAs
- [Creating the New Story](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/action-groups/cns/) - Produce & promote a vision for good participatory governance in the ACT
- [Communications](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/comms/) - Design & maintain internal & external communications
- [No Show](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/no-show/)
- [2022 Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/2022-election/)
- [2024 Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/2024-election/)
- [2025 Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/2025-election/)
- [Education Activity](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/education-activity/)
- [Community Assembly](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/category/community-assembly/)

## Tags

- [#awakendemocracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/awakendemocracy/)
- [#democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/democracy/)
- [#auspol](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/auspol/)
- [#governmentwith](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/governmentwith/)
- [#awakeningdemocracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/awakeningdemocracy/)
- [parliament](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/parliament/)
- [environment](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/environment/)
- [aged care](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/aged-care/)
- [work](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/work/)
- [security](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/security/)
- [covid](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/covid/)
- [2020 Election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/2020-election/)
- [ACT](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/act/)
- [representation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/representation/)
- [#government](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/government/)
- [#representative](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/representative/)
- [#community](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/community/)
- [#Voices4Indi](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/voices4indi/)
- [#demcracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/demcracy/)
- [# participation](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/participation/)
- [#participatory](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/participatory/)
- [election](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/election/)
- [living democracy](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/living-democracy/)
- [Candidate](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/candidate/)
- [Forum](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/forum/)
- [Canberra](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/canberra/)
- [politics](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/politics/)
- [2024](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/2024/)
- [voting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/voting/)
- [citizen](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/citizen/)
- [AI](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/ai/)
- [accountability](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/accountability/)
- [governance](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/governance/)
- [Assmebly](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/assmebly/)
- [Reimagining](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/reimagining/)
- [Assembly](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/assembly/)
- [reforn](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/reforn/)
- [Poll](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/poll/)
- [reform](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/reform/)
- [Community councils](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/tag/community-councils/)

## Event Categories

- [External](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/external/)
- [Monthly meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/monthly-meeting/)
- [General meeting](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/general-meeting/)
- [Zoom Event](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/zoom-event/)
- [All](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/all/)
- [Public Event](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/public-event/)
- [Event Series](https://canberra-alliance.org.au/events/category/event-series/)