CIVIC: You. Your Voice. Your Change. It's Time for Citizen Directed Initiatives in NSW.
The issue
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Hello, I'm Eric Handbury, a typical citizen/father of 2 from a small suburb an hour north of Sydney, AU. Since hearing about Colorado's (CDI - Citizen Directed Initiatives) system in 2012, I have believed this is necessary for a functioning democracy, especially when becoming disillusioned by governments consistent failing to tackle the issues that matter to me.
Beyond our 3 second moment of democracy in the voting booth every 3 years, the political arena provides no formal process which we, the people, can use to take the issues they hold dear, garner support from others in the community, and ask voters to change society along with them.
CIVIC is about creating a step-by-step defined process where a citizen can engage with the community enough to get the required number of signatures, can then have their question/proposal on the next NSW State election, can then compel the lawmakers to enact laws on that proposal if the will of the people (50%+1) agree. And we have the gift of mandatory voting to thank for ensuring everyone has a voice, thus it is truly the will of the people.
This must be within a society to be truly democratic. A system that represents the people must give us the tools to shape our future. 24 US States currently have such mechanisms in place. These initiatives do not alter our representative democracy; they enhance it - engaging citizens, empowering us, and encouraging us to act for the public good. CIVIC brings to us a defined step-by-step path for change.
CIVIC can be the engine that drives this necessary change for Citizen Directed Initiatives. I am the first CIVIC initiative. Please join me on this journey. Together we can create a better, more responsive democracy.
Please visit https://civicvoice.net.au for all the information on this initiative.
Please add your name to our petition only if you are a voting citizen of Australia.
Cheers. Eric.
6
The issue
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Hello, I'm Eric Handbury, a typical citizen/father of 2 from a small suburb an hour north of Sydney, AU. Since hearing about Colorado's (CDI - Citizen Directed Initiatives) system in 2012, I have believed this is necessary for a functioning democracy, especially when becoming disillusioned by governments consistent failing to tackle the issues that matter to me.
Beyond our 3 second moment of democracy in the voting booth every 3 years, the political arena provides no formal process which we, the people, can use to take the issues they hold dear, garner support from others in the community, and ask voters to change society along with them.
CIVIC is about creating a step-by-step defined process where a citizen can engage with the community enough to get the required number of signatures, can then have their question/proposal on the next NSW State election, can then compel the lawmakers to enact laws on that proposal if the will of the people (50%+1) agree. And we have the gift of mandatory voting to thank for ensuring everyone has a voice, thus it is truly the will of the people.
This must be within a society to be truly democratic. A system that represents the people must give us the tools to shape our future. 24 US States currently have such mechanisms in place. These initiatives do not alter our representative democracy; they enhance it - engaging citizens, empowering us, and encouraging us to act for the public good. CIVIC brings to us a defined step-by-step path for change.
CIVIC can be the engine that drives this necessary change for Citizen Directed Initiatives. I am the first CIVIC initiative. Please join me on this journey. Together we can create a better, more responsive democracy.
Please visit https://civicvoice.net.au for all the information on this initiative.
Please add your name to our petition only if you are a voting citizen of Australia.
Cheers. Eric.
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Petition created on 10 April 2025