Citizenscape is an information rich site of resources for those interested in active citizenship and community consultation and participation.

ConsultWA is a list of consultations being conducted by Western Australian state government departments and agencies.

New Citizenship test to focus on responsibilities and privileges

The Rudd Government is committed to retaining the Australian Citizenship Test but has announced it will be overhauled following a review that found the current test can be improved.
In an effort to enhance people’s understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship the new test will focus on the Pledge of Commitment which people make when they become Australian citizens.  Questions will relate to Australian democratic values and the laws, rights and liberties valued in Australia, rather than general knowledge questions about Australian history or national identities.
The Government will not adopt the committee’s recommendations to publish the test questions or conduct the test in languages other than English but has indicated it will endeavour to remove unintended barriers to citizenship for vulnerable groups of people including the development of a new citizenship training course.
The Government will engage educational and civics experts to rewrite the citizenship resource book in plain English and develop the new test by August 2009.

The best way to have your say on Daylight Saving…

2009 Daylight Saving Referendum

Saturday 16 May 2009

The prescribed question to be submitted to electors is:
"Are you in favour of daylight saving being introduced in Western Australia by standard time in the State being advanced one hour from the last Sunday in October 2009 until the last Sunday in March 2010 and in similar fashion for each following year?"

Electors will be required to write the word "YES" in the box provided on the ballot paper if they agree with the referendum question or "NO" if they do not agree with the referendum question

For more information go to: http://www.waec.wa.gov.au/

Voting is compulsory.

The Australian Citizens’ Parliament - Can Australia's political system be strengthened?

150 randomly selected citizens will deliberate, then deliver their recommendations at Old Parliament House, Canberra on February 06-09, 2009.
Their task is to answer the question:
"How can Australia's political system be strengthened to serve us better?"
The mission of deliberative processes like the Australian Citizens' Parliament is to change the way we talk about politics and make political decisions.

Click here to find out more.

Building Citizen Centred Policies and Services

Democracy for All

The Constitutional Centre of WA, WA Electoral Education Centre and WA Parliamentary Education Office offer a Joint Civics Education program for community groups and schools. The Joint Civics Education program can be conducted at the Constitutional Centre of WA in West Perth or a presenter may be able to attend your venue. The program runs for approximately two hours.
Participants examine our constitutional framework, state and federal powers and the state preferential voting system, including participation in a mock election. Other exercises explain our state parliamentary system and processes. Material is delivered in English and an interpreter can be arranged if required.
If your group is interested in learning more about our democracy contact Luke Garswood, Principal Policy Officer – Citizenship at OMI on 9222 8841.

Are you happy with the health and disability services you have received?
The WA State Government agency that deals with complaints against health and disability service providers is keen to hear more from people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Office of Health Review (OHR), an independent state government agency, is responsible for assisting in the resolution of disputes between consumers and service providers. OHR staff members deal with complaints ranging across the entire range of health and disability services.
Director Anne Donaldson said that the Office encourages people to contact them if they have a complaint.
“Our Office in Perth deals with people and organisations right throughout the State,” she said.
“Our main role is to help ease or resolve complainants’ concerns confidentially and impartially.”
“We deal with complaints from people of all ethnic backgrounds, however we do hope to see more from people from diverse backgrounds as they appear to be under-represented on our complaints database.”
Ms Donaldson said that her staff are experienced at working with people from varying backgrounds, and are conscious of how a complainant’s beliefs or cultural background may impact on a complaint.
“We recently dealt with a case where a pregnant woman presented to her hospital with symptoms that she felt indicated problems with her unborn baby. The woman was told that the symptoms were normal and asked to come back for her normal scheduled appointments. Unfortunately the woman later miscarried and she felt that this could have been prevented had the hospital carried out a more thorough examination.”
“The complainant and her husband came to us because their concerns had not been resolved at hospital level. They were concerned at the prospect of suffering from some kind of retribution, which apparently could have been the case in their home nation.”
“After our staff convinced the couple that they had nothing to fear from raising the complaint with the hospital, a conciliation meeting was held where the hospital apologised to the couple and provided an explanation for what had happened, and offered support services. The couple found the outcome to be very satisfactory.”
“ So even in the most tragic circumstances, and with the challenges involved in cross-cultural communication, we can often still deliver benefits to both parties involved in a dispute.”
Ms Donaldson said that people are encouraged to contact the Office even if they just want to make a telephone enquiry.
The Office of Health Review can be contacted for confidential advice between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday on 9323 0600 or free-call 1800 813 583. The Office will pay for the use of interpreters and translators if they are required.
Complaints and queries can also be lodged online at www.healthreview.wa.gov.au

Citizen of the Year Awards Nominate a Worthy Person or Organisation. The nine Citizen of the Year Awards honour eight individuals and one service organisation that have made an outstanding and enduring contribution to the advancement of the State and people of Western Australia through their chosen field of endeavour.

The consultation guide, Working Together: Involving Community and Stakeholders in Decision-Making includes techniques and tools to help ensure that consultation processes are clear, fair and ultimately rewarding for all those involved. For downloadable print versions see Publications. A Summary Guide for Chief Executive Officers is available.

Guide to WA State Government concessions.