What’s involved?
We are thinking of a simple but effective style like the one used for the following video, but this is just a guide and we would consider other approaches that got the message across:
http://www.commoncraft.com/election
The clip needs to be engaging and educational for a wide audience from primary school to elderly and also to be non-partisan (not left or right wing). The proposed script goes like this:
“What the Rethink Australia project is all about.”
“We all go to the polling booth every 3 or 4 years believing that by voting we will have better government. Unfortunately this never seems to happen and we all wish something could be done to improve our democracy. This is What the Rethink Australia project is all about.
We have little or no say in what the government of the day decides or how it creates policies and laws. We assume that our Constitution allows us to hold politicians accountable. But this is not the case. There is no direct means for citizens to oversee or control elected representatives as major issues arise between elections. Let me explain.
It starts with our Constitution. The rules governing our nation were written over a hundred years ago in 1901. They haven’t kept pace with huge changes in society. As the gap between the rules governing our country and the expectations of the public continues to grow, more and more Australians are turning their back on the political process.
Consider this: If voting was not compulsory, only around 30% of young people would vote. Many older people, say they do not see the point of voting as nothing really seems to change, regardless of who runs the country.
This is really worrying. The question is – how do we reverse this slide?
Well, we need to get people involved in the political process again. We need people to feel they are being listened to. We need people to know they are a valued part of the political process with much to contribute.
This is what Rethink Australia is all about. Bringing people from each electorate across Australia together in a climate of discovery to decide how the country can be better governed. Asking the whole population what they want the future of the nation to look like and educating people about how they can participate fully in the political process. Civic education + Public consultation + Deliberation = A healthy democracy.
But a healthy democracy is more than just fair elections and stable government. It is better healthcare, improved education for kids, more jobs, efficient public transport, a healthy environment, sustainable growth and clean energy. Here’s why…..
If the Constitution says the government is responsible for the railways, the government must make laws and spend public money – your money – to create a railway network. If you end up travelling in an old, run down and uncomfortable train, it is because the Constitution never stated what standard of service you should get. It’s the same with all the other services the government provides to you.
We need to get the rules that govern our country right, so we have a healthy democracy and at the same time, improve the daily lives of all Australians. We need to Rethink Australia.
The good news is, it all starts with you getting behind us to make change happen. Together we can build the brighter future all of us want for ourselves, and future generations of Australians.
I’m Rodger Hills and this has been What the Rethink Australia project is all about.”
Why should people do this?
This is a great opportunity for young people to stretch their creative talents, learn more about how our democracy works, participate in political reform and get their work widely publicised.
Contact information
If you think you have the time, talent, enthusiasm and access to equipment to pull this off, send your email to exec@rethinkaustralia.org
