Bayside Climate Group to Road-test Australia’s First ‘Citizens’ Assembly’

Goldstein voters won’t get a chance to hear their candidates debate climate policies this election. Instead, they may get something better.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has proposed a citizen assembly of “real people” to secure a consensus on tackling dangerous climate change. A Bayside group plans to road-test the idea ahead of next month’s elections.

“We know the community wants a better understanding of what global warming is all about, and this assembly will show us how the idea might work,” said Cheryl May, vice president of the Bayside Climate Change Action Group. “We believe it will be the first of its kind.”

The group aims to fill the Brighton Town Hall with the event, scheduled to start at 7.30pm on Wednesday, August 11. CSIRO’s new chairman, Simon McKeon, has agreed to serve as master of ceremonies for the night.

BCCAG had planned a forum of candidates from all three major parties but switched gears when sitting Liberal member Andrew Robb declined to attend what would been the only local debate during the election.

Rival candidates, the Greens’ Neil Pilling and Nick Eden of the ALP have signed up for the citizen’s assembly. Both expressed dismay over Mr Robb’s absence.

“These forums are very important in understanding and listening to community concerns on this issue,’’ Mr Pilling said. “Unfortunately Mr. Robb and his party continue to fail the residents of Goldstein in delivering good climate change policy.”

“It’s disappointing but not unexpected,” said Mr Eden. He backed the assembly plan, adding “it’s good to debate these issues in the open.”

In line with the PM’s suggested guidelines for the 150-strong assembly, the August 11 event will be open to the broad community.

“You can expect teachers and students, health care worker and scientists, business owners and seniors,” said Mrs May of BCCAG.

The ALP’s Mr Eden went further: “The event can maybe nominate some one to go forward to the national assembly.”

Mr Robb’s office said the Opposition’s finance spokesman had a full calendar and that he had already addressed climate issues at a gathering in Bentleigh last month.

Perhaps Mr Robb will change his mind. An invitation has been extended to Prime Minister Gillard, herself, to observe her idea in person.

For more information, including registration details, please visit the BCCAG website at http://www.bccag.org.au/, ring Cheryl May on 0457 115 261 or email BCCAG via the Contact Us form at http://bccag.org.au/home-page/contact