Deliberative democracy process to improve support for ACT carers


Released 30/08/2017

Canberrans are invited to participate a deliberative democracy process to identify what makes for a carer friendly city and help improve support for the ACT’s carers.

Around 46,000 Canberrans provide unpaid care to family members, friends or neighbours who are living with a disability, a physical or mental health condition, or are frail aged. Carers also provide care to children and young people who are unable to live with their families.

The ACT Government, in partnership with Carers ACT and democracyCo, is developing an ACT Carers Strategy to improve support for carers and acknowledge the difference they make in people’s lives and the community.

The ACT Government will use deliberative democracy processes, which embrace collective decision making, as an innovative consultation method that supports informed discussion and broad consultation.

The Carers Voice Panel will include up to 60 randomly selected carers and members of the broader ACT community who will attend two workshops in October to develop the strategy.

Participants will be asked to deliberate on what would make Canberra a carer friendly city, what outcomes the community wants to see for carers and what the community’s shared priorities should be.

Participating in the Carers Voice Panel does not require any prior knowledge or involvement with the topic. What is required is an open mind, a willingness to learn and a commitment to support the Territory in this important work.

This is another demonstration of the ACT Government’s commitment to strengthen community consultation so that we take into account the diverse views of Canberrans when developing policies and projects.

Along with the citizens' jury considering Compulsory Third Party Insurance this is another in the range of deliberative democracy processes we will be exploring as part of our expanded community engagement.

The Parliamentary Agreement between Labor and the Greens includes the use of deliberative democracy.

You can register interest in the Carers Voice Panel at http://www.democracyco.com.au/rsvp/

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases


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