Picture: Jim Wilkinson
Power Sharing Government for Tasmania 2010?
Last week in Tasmania 57 people were arrested on the steps of Parliament House, including ABC gardening guru, Peter Cundall. This was the latest in a string of undemocratic actions taken by the people in control of this state, says Marion Nicklason, convenor of today’s forum (Tues 24) on creating a healthy democracy.
“It is time to make a change to the political culture in Tasmania. We are reaching crisis points, too often. Positive change is required at every level of Tasmanian society, from the grass roots right through to the political leaders and parties of the state,” she said.
Professor Richard Herr, Greg Barns, Margaret Reynolds and Jim Wilkinson, will today address a free public forum to discuss power sharing government at the Baha’i Centre Hobart, from 6.30pm-8.00pm on Tuesday 24 November (today).
Kate Crowley, from the University of Tasmania’s School of Government will moderate the forum.
The forum includes:
Professor Richard Herr, who will talk on the history of power sharing governments in Tasmania, benefits and limitations.
Greg Barns, who will talk about international models and how they work, including Scotland/NZ/Canada.
Margaret Reynolds, who will talk about strategies for improving dialogue between politicians in state and federal politics eg tri-partisan agreements.
Hon Jim Wilkinson, Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct, who will discuss the Tasmanian Integrity Commission and its implications for improving Tasmanian governance.
Strategies to achieve and maintain power sharing government will be discussed through a Q&A session at the forum.
Also in attendance will be Lord Mayor Rob Valentine, Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnett, Leader of the Tasmanian Greens Nick McKim, Cassie O’Connor MP, Alderman Jenny Branch – Liberal Candidate for Denison, Alderman Bill Harvey, Independent Candidate for Denison Andrew Wilkie and other representatives of the Tasmanian community.
Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy, a non-party political organisation aims to reinforce and encourage a culture of respect and constructive dialogue in the political realm.
Download panellist bios:
marionPanellists_and_moderators_bios_final.doc
Marion Nicklason is the founder of Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy. She lives in Hobart Tasmania and has a keen interest in healthy democratic processes, building resilient communities, sustainable development, Ecological Economics and health. She also has a an interest in non-chemically dependent agriculture.
Marion Nicklason
Karen Enkelaar
November 24, 2009 at 12:34
Many thanks to THD for all of these efforts.
It is worthwhile supporting because it “is a non-party political organisation”.
Will there be a similar discussion held in the north of the State next year prior to the 2010 election, as touted?
In November 2008 I attended the “Festival of Ideas: Dialogue on Democracy!” conference at the Inveresk Tramshed in Launceston and it was GREAT, with international speakers as well as workshops with local government, social activism and education sector representatives, etc.
However, I really WISHED the hall was chock full of university students! Understanding democracy would give them such confidence to believe they can speak up and that their voices and involvement can make a difference, increasing their sense of self-worth.
“[The festival was] an Evatt Foundation [USYD]initiative in collaboration with the University of Tasmania and supported by the Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. David Bartlett MHA. Be part of the inaugural Festival of Ideas, the first of it’s kind in Tasmania!”
Yes, Russell, I really enjoyed it, BUT it appears the Evatt Foundation is largely supported by LaborNet – the Labor Party!
EEEKKKK!
Living in Tasmania provides a firsthand experience of the chasmic difference between the ideals of such organisations as the Evatt Foundation and the political reality here: an obsession with autocracy?
Eagle eye
November 24, 2009 at 17:25
Really Russell? Who is advising the ministers, who has been running the community consultation, allowing fueding office staff to remain fueding to the detriment of organisations for years, I could go on and on, but you get my drift. Sorry, but we need a thorough worming of the body politic and the public service. Its a leadership issue thats been unaddressed and like cancer, has spread. Surgery is required or gangrene will set in very shortly. Actually it may be too late, as the body politic has been a touch rank for a while now.