Leading the way for democratic renewal in South Australia

by Sarah Moulds

If democracy is to survive and flourish, it needs to evolve to meet the new circumstances we face.

That's the shared view of a group of eleven South Australians who have formed DEM36 - an incorporated association established with the aim of making South Australia's democracy the best it can be. The group has recently released a draft Charter for Democratic Renewal to inspire discussion around innovative and forward-looking reforms to strengthen people’s voices, ensure fairness, and protect our democratic way of life.

The Charter seeks to combine near term goals and inspirational big questions that deal with:

• the State Constitution and our democratic framework

• extension of voting rights, participation in our political institutions, and democratic innovations

• accountability of government and public funding of elections

• accountability of government and public funding of elections.

At the heart of the Charter is a commitment to the introduction of a South Australian Human Rights Charter, setting out rights for all, which would sit alongside other important democratic structures including the establishment of a process, led by First Nations Peoples, to explore how a fair and just reconciliation between First Peoples and the settler state can be negotiated, and a constitutionally enshrined guarantee to hold a Citizens Convention every 10 years to review, update and amend our State’s Constitution.

The Charter also aims to push South Australia back to a leadership position when it comes to innovative, effective representative democracy and therefore envisages reforms including:

• Globally leading practices in voter enrolment and registration, including extension of voting rights to permanent residents

• Compulsory voting in Local Government elections

• Legal guarantees to ensure an advocacy role for civil society organisations

• extension of voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds.

Accountability and transparency across government institutions is also integral to the Charter's vision, which also calls for legislation to introduce a new statutory agency of the Office of Democratic Practice, with powers to review, recommend and enhance democratic practice in the State, as well as democratic audits of South Australian democracy undertaken every four years, including a consideration of inter-generational impacts. There is also a commitment to identifying ways to strengthen laws relating to truth in political advertising, regulation of lobbying, and political donations, and to consider stronger protection to safeguard whistle-blowers from retaliation and to make organisations accountable.

Those involved in the DEM36 project recognise that one of the biggest challenges we face when trying to bring people together to address important issues that affect us all is that people trust each other less and less. There's a growing culture of disdain and resentment that’s making public discussion increasingly toxic. They ask:

How can we create a society where people can share different ideas and disagree when they need to, but do it with open minds, respect, and civility?

Central to the DEM36 project's work is to consult broadly on the draft Charter and refine its contents following feedback and engagement with the South Australian community. To find out how you can be part of these discussions, visit the DEM36 website or use this QR code to have your say.