BEYOND FEDERATION

(attended by 25 people, reported on in the Canberra Times on 20 March 2004)

Friday 19^th March and Saturday 20^th March 2004

Main Committee room of the Parliament of Australia

2.00pm Opening/welcome Mr Jim Snow Co-convenor Beyond Federation

2.10 Facilitator Mr Geoff Pryor - Pryor Knowledge (ACT) P/L

4.30 An ideal/realistic scenario - The state of the public debate regarding the broad challenges of the Constitution and system of government

10.30 Key elements to the communication scenario to reach our scenario

3.00 Plenary session - responsibility for strategy implementation

Question 1: Describe the External Environment as relevant to Beyond Federation?

More horizontal community links compared to vertical community links

Increased regionalism where regions are stronger and nations weaker as witnessed in Europe where areas have their own strength - we are talking here really of Balkanization

Increased influence of international organizations

Less apathy and more action around power relationships in society

Increased aggression and decreased tolerance

Increased divide between haves and have-nots

Stronger and increased impact of globalisation on our culture

Communities are able to reduce territory boundaries

Increased influence and power of large international organizations

Increased empowerment of individuals through better information exchange

High technology mini nukes available to the kids

Increased awareness of what other countries are doing and about them

Increased significance of the role of technology in terms of power in society

Increase in democracy and decrease in need for conflict

Diminution of major party politics - a more multi party democracy

Government is fully representative of the populace

Questions 2 and 4: What are Beyond Federation's Strengths and Opportunities?

Although might suggest we have only one idea which is a better system of government

Beyond and open-ended approach but not limiting

Starting to educate city folk that the country folk exist

Timing of what we are talking and offering - it is timely and in the arena of the millennium debates

Meeting place in Parliament house - it is impressive to be able to say that we are debating these issues in parliament house

A really good team which has the following qualities

Specific individual knowledge, e.g. AJ Brown

Potential to influence agenda of major organizations in the community

Questions 3 and 5: What are Beyond Federation's Weaknesses and Threats?

Missed opportunities to criticize the present set up

Too many options in our debate which tends to confuse people

Fewer expectations that change will come about

Public is sceptical and even cynical about the aims of the organization

The Australian newspaper does not report much of wider issues

We are too fixed on 'our' views, so we need to be more open and we also are too fixed in responses and to the content of our education

Need to improve our own learning and communication

Guard against the lack of interest in the public interest of our cause and our existence

We do not take advantage of news opportunities.

Need a better web site and to use better the internet

We often do not explain clearly as we have no communication strategy

1988 Bicentennial 'celebrations' instigated a mood of reflection and debate

Rodney Hall book ('Abolish the States', Pan Macmillan, 1998)

2001-02 Abolish State Government party - 5 rallies

New States movement - Abolish States Conference

Question 7: Describe (A) ideal and (B) realistic scenarios for 2015 that might be achieved in Australia with respect to a debate about the broad challenges of the Constitution and system of government?

sub nationally - implementing policy (80% of national revenue)

National Parliament is debating - environment, sustainability, retrieving sovereignty, Labour market, demography (population, professions, technology)

Section 128 is rewritten and amended. There are formal new mechanisms to change the constitution

Several plebiscites - new constitution, structure of government, judicial reform

Citizens are debating the new constitutions

Several moves to reform some institutions eg Training judges for an inquisitorial system, drafting national policies around health, education, law and order/justice, national police force.

Seriousness of the problems and opportunities are much more widely accepted

There is an increased consciousness that there are alternatives

Specific alternatives in the public mind that are well researched, well articulated and supported by credible voices (including addressing perceived negatives)

Widespread public understanding of the need to get involved in political life and structural questions

There is mainstream political debate on structural reform including party political platforms

Public debate is not controlled by political parties i.e. civil society continues to lead debate

There are developments (especially moves toward national systems) in health, aged care, education, IR/labour market, including trade/professional registration, tax and superannuation

Additional points made in the plenary report-back session

The language used is very important for example in the Justice system

Section 128 is a key issue to be addressed which has not yet been properly investigated

International governance is a key issue for our consideration

Resource allocation will be a very important matter to assist make things happen

A Bill of Rights is something being considered

Question 8: To achieve our agreed scenario, what are the goals of a long term communication strategy?

Who - deliverer(s) of messages, target audiences

How - the media, meetings, timely responses to current opportunities as they arise

Appointed a media spokesperson - for national, local and functional levels

Encourage/foster/engage/stimulate/facilitate debate and dialogue:

'second tier' stakeholders (i.e. key stakeholder)

have a clear idea of who our key stakeholders are

National emphasis and local and/or regional emphasis - need for tailored communications

Goals are: Abolish the states, Constitutional change, create sub-national units

Get debate into the public arena and its consciousness

New formal mechanisms are in place for initiating constitutional change

Increase media interest to improve coverage and gain their support

Achieve a broad alliance with existing community groups

Clear positioning in relation to other reform agendas and other groups

Lead the debate on responses and solutions to globalisation

Deal positively with related intermediate reform issues - from local to global

The conference then broke into three different working groups as follows:

Group 1: Public debate and media, e.g. media officer

Group 2: Political coalitions and coordination of resources

Group 3: Researching and content - e.g. Booklet

Group 1 response: Public debate and media eg media officer

Develop an image - being seen to be valid, different from other groups,

Put the organisation on a stronger base by developing a structure with office bearers, convenors, a secretariat, treasurer etc

Develop this through consultation which is transparent and identify accountability

Develop an informal protocol and have local spokespeople

Focus on issues people can relate to and to which can offer answer so that are in the position of being demand

Other champions might include Non-government organisations, universities

Appoint national spokespersons - national, local

Opportunities taken - eg health debate - anecdotes, costs $1bn, whole concept not just hospitals, parties or others which provide an opening,

Build on history - regional federation discussions provide an impetus which we presently do not build upon.

Congresses - especially Melbourne, border towns, but also functional issues such as health and Murray Darling basin.

Youth - National organisations, local and schools for accessing students

Build on personal experience - eg mobility issues, qualifications

Tap into the issue of globalisation where there seems to be a belief in empowerment

The above is predicated on moving power into the ands of people. Therefore need to communicate to those interested in politics and enthuse these people. Reach those who are not interested in formal political parties

Older people - go through clubs, newspapers, radio talkback, Parliament House specific announcers

Young - youth organisations, school leavers, years 11/12, Parliament house visit program, Universities radio FM, peer groups, music teachers

Young families - APEX, businesses, swinging voters

Group 2 response: Political coalitions and coordination of resources

Establish an advocacy group - not an academic group

There are many wanting to bring about reform. But who are they? How will be find out?

We need to develop a BF list from the knowledge of members. Mark D to collate

We have ad hoc mailing lists but we should produce a solid one

We can send out a pamphlet - existing one Mark D to revise, media releases, documents re models

Got to be about building coalitions - use the models document as an aid to this. We have a document which is at a draft stage so should develop at a forum and have ALGA/BCA type organisation (use our key stakeholders list) present at the forum to discuss this with us.

1. Key stakeholders are - BCA, ALGA, ARM, Mining Council, AMA, doctors, ACTU and its members such as nurses, PSU, teachers, sympathetic parliamentarians, Law reform commission members, ACOSS

We need to invite these people to our forums and events. So need also to send them our information and build then into the process

We must manage these better - especially Greens, Democrats, minor parties

How do we manage the major political parties operating at a state and federal level? Choose individuals e.g. ALP Adams, Tanner, Dodds

Grass roots - undertake civics education, work with NGOs, local governments, seniors, service clubs. Here we are talking about a series of educational activities

Group 3 Response: Researching and content - e.g. Booklet

Need to coordinate so we should aim to obtain administration support. Perhaps desirably this should be a professional with requisite skills.

But first we must build a case for supporting us. Looking at $100K for three years??

Collaborators - can we build partnerships to help us achieve our target? We might consider ALGA for an office, PA for Administration and running costs, others in the private sector for promotion, perhaps even some international support for our campaign efforts

Do we hold a fund raiser? Do we consider getting a consultant to assist? What is our time frame in all of this - 10-15 years!

Develop a prospectus - with a string case supporting it.

Based around supporting civics education, globalisation, promotional material

Need another congress to elaborate upon these matters.

It was greed that there is a need to develop a process by which to develop the constitutional models. One was put forward, as follows:
1. What are the main features of our models, and the issues to drive reform

2. Develop a Draft document for outside consideration and by a Congress

Use the web site to hold an archive of models papers etc

There is a need for an edited booklet introducing the models - which communicates these clearly and simply and is easily accessed. The Draft Booklet will be properly formatted. Then it will go to an Editorial group including Jim S and Klaas W who ensure it is seen by the models specialists after formatting. Note that Charles M, AJ will draft a format for others to fill in. The format will be reviewed by the network.

Once these elements have been addressed then a promotion strategy is to be developed

AJ's book ('Restructuring Australia', by Wayne Hudson and AJ Brown, Federation Press, 2004, available via http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=1862874921)

CSU - ARC grant applications in a national survey work involving ALGA

Pilot program with CSIRO/Griffith University for Dollars - 4^th Tier organisations

Conferences - Hamilton RMIT, Regional Science i.e. use existing fora

Establish a new federalism Centre at the ANU

Mark's PhD - about financial costs and benefits of reformed government structures (new States, no States, etc. - extends on paper at http://www.asc.org.au/Costing_Constitutional_Change_21Oct02.pdf), Mark has a resource library

Theme - articulate key message and may include DHF models.

(a) a core resource is needed and available consistently (BF owned)

Need a brief on the details of arguments around the different models

Mark D & others Produce list of target groups

Mark D/AJ Document case for financial support and develop a prospectus