WHO DOESN’T LIKE A LOCAL COUNCIL SCANDAL? Local politics has been a long-standing interest of mine – some would say this is an over-developed interest. I recently wrote about this, generally at the state level, and more specifically at the local (Kyogle) level. My article was published in the Nimbin Good Times – page 13 …
In a major reorganisation of the website I had to move a couple of pieces I had published on this subject. These are very archival: One of these looks at the opportunities for deliberative democracy at the local level: ‘Open Government should start locally.’ This was published in On Line Opinion in May 24, 2011, …
Since publishing Beyond Fear and Loathing in 2012 my interest in local politics and local community issues remains strong. The extent to which local issues are ignored bothers me. A local issue in one place is almost certainly a local issue somewhere else. There are lessons to be learned. I recently wrote Reconnecting, locally, which argued …
Everyville: the good, the bad and the ugly at the local level Read More »
In early 1999 Victorian premier Jeff Kennett addressed a conference of the Victorian Council of Social Services. Having made his mark on the slashing of services and privatisation of government owned assets this may seem an odd place to find him. Still, after the Liberal premier set out his government’s achievements in fixing Labor’s economic …
“Participation in public life is a fundamentally good thing,” said George Bernard Shaw – or at least it was something very similar to this. It follows then, in my mind, that civil and informed participation is an even better “fundamentally good thing”. And if that participation in public life is entertaining, convivial and provides opportunities …
While this piece unpacks the actions of one local council, it’s my contention that these sorts of actions are widespread in local government. This is the level closest to the people, but also the level that receives the least scrutiny. * It’s often said that failing to learn the lessons of history condemns us to …
Lessons from history for council (or, how to win friends) Read More »
Citizen journalism is based upon citizens taking a lead role in collecting, analyzing and reporting news and information. Sometimes known as participatory journalism or democratic journalism it operates outside mainstream media but aims to use conventional journalistic practices. With the rise of the internet, citizen journalism is a growing world-wide phenomenon, but, it’s not without …
Many years ago when working on a civics and citizenship program for the federal government I became fascinated by how much people don’t know about the political system and their political representatives – real and hopeful. I wondered why someone would throw themselves into what, for many, is an extraordinarily difficult if not insurmountable challenge. …
Fiona Phillips – candidate for seat of South Coast Read More »
In June last year I followed up a media report about the federal government de-funding the national peak body for youth affairs, saying it didn’t believe a single peak body is necessary and it is “developing plans to consult with young Australians using a more focused and targeted approach.” That was published at New Matilda …
Youth Engagement: the merry-go-round has stalled Read More »
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree (PART ONE – first published July 22, 2014) Up and down the coast and along our waterways there is a clash between public land management and the private desire for a water view. The private desire, which some foreshore property owners see …
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree Read More »