Can citizen juries put the people back in democracy?
Australia faces many big challenges, but is our democracy up to the job of solving these, or are we experiencing a decision deadlock? One process that could help governments meet the moment is known as citizen jury or assembly, where a cross section of ordinary people deliberate together over a thorny policy issue, then provide advice. How do these work, are they effective, and should they play a more central role in Australia's democracy? The session, The Place for Citizens Assemblies in Australia — where do they best fit? was recorded at Policy without Politics conference, hosted by Citizen Assemblies for South Australia, at the Woodville Town Hall in Adelaide on 14 June 2025. Speakers Jay Weatherill Director of Democracy, McKinnon Former South Australian Premier (2011 to 2018) Simon Birmingham Former South Australian Liberal Senator (2007 to 2025) Emma Fletcher Co-CEO, Democracy Co Elizabeth Farrelly (host) Writer, columnist, critic, academic, broadcaster Former councillor, City of Sydney Director, Better Cities Initiative Author, Bubberland; the Dangers of Happiness and Killing Sydney; the fight for a city's soul
July 10, 2025
1 hr 1 min
50 of 248
July 10, 2025
Can citizen juries put the people back in democracy?
0:00 / 1:01:11
Excerpt playback isn’t available for this episode — use the full-episode link.
Search the Record
Moment search isn’t open for this episode yet
When it opens, you’ll be able to type any phrase and jump straight to the second it was said.
Progressive Liberal Party Episodes Around July 10, 2025
Episode 50 of 248 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
1:01:11This episodeCan citizen juries put the people back in democracy?
Summary
<p>Australia faces many big challenges, but is our democracy up to the job of solving these, or are we experiencing a decision deadlock?</p><p>One process that could help governments meet the moment is known as citizen jury or assembly, where a cross section of ordinary people deliberate together over a thorny policy issue, then provide advice.</p><p>How do these work, are they effective, and should they play a more central role in Australia's democracy?</p><p>The session, The Place for Citizens Assemblies in Australia — where do they best fit? was recorded at <a href="https://events.humanitix.com/citizen-assemblies-policy-without-politics-national-conference">Policy without Politics conference</a>, hosted by <a href="https://cafsa.org.au/">Citizen Assemblies for South Australia</a>, at the Woodville Town Hall in Adelaide on 14 June 2025.</p><p>Speakers</p><p><a href="https://mckinnon.co/">Jay Weatherill</a>Director of Democracy, McKinnonFormer South Australian Premier (2011 to 2018)</p><p><a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=H6X">Simon Birmingham</a>Former South Australian Liberal Senator (2007 to 2025)</p><p><a href="https://www.democracyco.com.au/">Emma Fletcher</a>Co-CEO, Democracy Co</p><p><a href="https://www.bettercities.org.au/">Elizabeth Farrelly</a> (host)Writer, columnist, critic, academic, broadcasterFormer councillor, City of SydneyDirector, Better Cities InitiativeAuthor, Bubberland; the Dangers of Happiness and Killing Sydney; the fight for a city's soul</p>