Glebe gets a rep in Citizen’s Parliament
Glebe resident Aaron Catley has been selected as one of 150 Australians to participate in Australia’s first Citizens’ Parliament to be held at Old Parliament House in February.
The Citizens’ Parliament is an initiative of the newDemocracy Foundation in 2007. It has one representative from each federal electorate and will deliberate on Australia’s political system and present ideas for reform.
Mr Catley was selected at random from more than 8,500 people who were invited to participate.
‘It’s a great opportunity to contribute ideas about how to improve the Australian parliamentary system, which doesn’t happen very often,’ he said.
I like the fact that we are asked to work on solutions rather than just complain about problems. I’m not sure if anything will come from this parliament but I feel it’s worth my effort and time because the changes could affect us all.’
The Citizens’ Parliament is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant in conjunction with the newDemocracy Foundation.
Founded in 2004, The newDemocracy Foundation (formerly newRepublic) is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes discussion about the need for political reform.
Joint Managing Director of Transfield Holdings, Luca Belgiorno-Nettis, formed newDemocracy, together with people from all sides of politics, including The Hon. John Button (former Labor Minister) and The Hon. Fred Chaney AO (former Liberal Minister).
