Episode 28: The People's Constitution by Bronwyn Kelly (Chapter 7 - Part 4)

In Episode 28 Bronwyn Kelly reads Chapter 7 Part 4 of her book, The People's Constitution: the path to empowerment of Australians in a 21st century democracy. In this section she sets out how it has been necessary to adapt and expand the process of Integrated Planning and Reporting already legislated for local councils so that it can function at the national level and can be used efficiently by any Australian wishing to participate in National Integrated Planning and Reporting (National IP&R).If National IP&R is to have sufficient capacity to enable diverse Australians to come together and build a coherent people’s voice - a voice which expresses their aspirations for the future and is readily intelligible to parliamentarians - then two extra features need to be added to the model of IP&R used at the local level: (1) a capacity to protect and promote the extraordinary diversity of Australians; and (2) a capacity to build plans for a national economy that is inclusive and supports the aspirations, wellbeing and security of all - in other words, a human-centred economy.Bronwyn explains how the adapted process gives diverse Australians, for the first time, an efficient means of injecting themselves into an orderly decision process on the overarching purpose of their economy and how this gives parliaments and governments the knowledge they need to deliver a fair and viable economy. She also explains how the process is being trialed and tested at Australian Community Futures Planning using a prototype integrated plan called Australia Together. This prototype has a structure that enables efficient policy selection by Australians. It enables them to set the national long term agenda, free from short term politics.Bronwyn finalises the section by suggesting that the national people’s voice or, more accurately, the process by which it may be legitimately expressed should be enshrined in the Constitution as a right of the people – a right which is as important as any other civil and political right – so that when elected members of parliaments swear to uphold the Constitution they can no longer be mistaken about the full import of their oath and the nature of their obligations under it.Were Australians to enshrine a right to express their national people’s voice, they would be the first nation in the world with such a right and with an orderly means of determining their future they wish to build and share together. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bronwynkelly.substack.com