Many Australians are dissatisfied with politics as usual. But this does not mean they have given up on democracy.
The evidence points to a different story: Australians want more meaningful opportunities to be heard, especially on complex issues that affect their lives and communities.
Our research shows that nearly one in two Australians believe that decision-making about policies should occur in close dialogue with citizens and those directly affected. That is, most Australians want democracy to involve dialogue between citizens and decision-makers.
Elections remain central to representative democracy. But many citizens also want a stronger voice between elections.
Traditional consultation processes can invite public input, but they often leave citizens unsure about whether their views have been heard or whether they have influenced decisions.
Deliberative processes offer a different model. They give citizens time to learn, hear from others, consider evidence and work through trade-offs before forming recommendations.
