Dem-36: A Charter for Democratic Renewal in South Australia

South Australia has a rich history of democratic innovation, having been at the global forefront of – among other advances – the shift to universal suffrage, the recognition of the political rights of women, and the implementation of the secret ballot. As we approach South Australia’s bicentenary, this Charter represents a momentous opportunity for the citizens of our state to reflect on our first 200 years of democratic practice, to take stock of our present situation, and to recommit to a revitalized democratic compact that reflects who we are now and where we want to be. This draft South Australian Charter for Democratic Renewal has been developed by a small group of South Australians as a starting point for public discussion in South Australia. It is our hope that the release of this draft Charter will mark the beginning of a unifying process – one that will bring South Australians together to share their ideas about how our democracy should work. From here until our bicentenary in 2036, we aim to work with all South Australians to grasp this opportunity to reinforce and revitalize our democracy – making it bolder, more representative, and ready for the next 200 years.