This week the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hold public hearings and site visits in Maningrida and Darwin, Northern Territory (NT), and Cairns, Queensland as part of its inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia.
Committee Chair, Ms Kate Thwaites MP, said 'we want all Australians to be able to participate in our democracy and our elections. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living in regional and remote communities.
'A lack of appropriate electoral education, engagement and resourcing in remote communities means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be disconnected from civics, democracy and elections.
'There are now more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enrolled to vote at federal elections than ever before. But the Northern Territory still has some of the lowest voting turnout levels in Australia, and these visits are an essential step in learning how we can better support and empower regional and remote communities to engage with and learn about our democracy and our elections,' Ms Thwaites said.
Across the three days, the Committee will meet with regional councils, Land Councils, Aboriginal corporations, multicultural groups and youth organisations. The Committee will also visit local schools to talk with young people about their experience of civics education.
Public hearings details
Date: Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm (ACST)
Location: Common Room, Maningrida Progress Association, Maningrida NT
Date: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Time: 9.30am – 1.15pm (ACST)
Location: Peninsula Room, Hilton Garden Inn, Darwin NT
Date: Thursday, 25 July 2024
Time: 12.00pm – 2.15pm (AEST)
Location: Bolands 5,Bolands Centre, Cairns Qld
A live audio stream of the hearings will be available via the Parliament's Watch, Read, Listen website.
Further information about the inquiry, including submissions received and past public hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.
