During 2018-19 CMTEDD undertook a range of significant community engagement activities on projects detailed below by business unit.
Chief Minister’s Stream
Policy and Cabinet
Capital of Equality – LGBTIQ+ Strategy
To support the ACT Government’s commitment to deliver equitable outcomes for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex & Queer (LGBTIQ+) people, Canberrans were invited to have their say on priority areas for the development of the ACT’s first LGBTIQ+ strategy.
Throughout the consultation period (2018 to early 2019) the community was invited to comment and provide feedback on key priority areas via YourSay. There were 1,086 unique visitors to the YourSay page with a total of 79 contributions received online and four detailed contributions emailed.
Direct engagement via stakeholder forums and individual meetings with over 50 service providers and entities across Canberra provided an opportunity to capture the views and experiences of different individuals and communities, including vulnerable communities and minority groups. Following engagement across a range of platforms, including YourSay, online and paper surveys distributed during SpringOUT and Think Tank forums, the final strategy, Capital of Equality, was released in July 2019. The Report on What We Heard can be found on the YourSay website.
The government is now finalising the first action plan that outlines steps for implementation in the first phase of the strategy.
On-Demand Transport Industry – Further Reforms
In 2015 and 2016, the ACT Government undertook a series of significant reforms to the ACT taxi industry, enabling the introduction of rideshare and reducing costs and regulation for other industry participants. During 2017 and following the release of an evaluation report, the government engaged in further conversation with community and industry on the report’s recommendations.
Throughout 2018-2019 the ACT Government sought further input from community and industry on possible changes and potential impacts of further reforms to develop a comprehensive understanding of passenger and industry perceptions. From September 2018 to December 2018 more than 400 Canberrans (industry and community) participated through YourSay and stakeholder meetings, including:
- 51 in-depth conversations with individuals from the taxi and rideshare industry as well as individuals from the community;
- 14 peak bodies representing community, disability, accommodation, taxi and rideshare interests;
- 19 written submissions;
- 5 survey responses;
- 311 unique visitors to the YourSay page during the survey period; and
- a Report on What We Heard for engagement activities during 2018-2019 will be released shortly. The outcomes of the evaluation remain subject to government consideration.
Office of the Chief Digital Officer
Your Digital Territory
From April 2019 to June 2019, the Canberra community was invited to share their views on what’s important when considering a digital future to inform the refresh of the ACT Government Digital Strategy.
- The four key pillars for consideration within the Strategy were: community-centred services, creating value from data, co-designed city planning and building strategic and productive relationships with business and industry.
- Social media (4,481 people reached) and printed flyers in libraries were used to raise awareness of the engagement, leading 752 people to visit the YourSay page. 38 responses were provided online, and two written responses received.
- Feedback is currently being considered and will inform the draft ACT Government Digital Strategy. Once drafted, the Strategy will be provided for further comment by community before finalising it for release in 2020. The Report on What We Heard can be found on the YourSay website.
Workforce Capability and Governance
Review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012
From June 2019 to July 2019, the Canberra community were invited to provide submissions to inform the independent review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012. Peg Consulting were engaged to undertake the review and consider feedback.
- Calls for public submissions were advertised in the Canberra Times and on the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 Review website. Thirteen written submissions were received.
- Peg Consulting will release a report with considerations by end September 2019.
Secure Local Jobs Code (SLJC) implementation
Between August 2018 and December 2018, the ACT Government invited industry stakeholders and the Canberra community to comment and provide input on the implementation of the SLJC.
- Key industry stakeholders were invited to workshops to co-design the implementation process.
- Public submissions were invited, and public forums were held to educate the community on SLJC.
- Input and feedback received during the consultation process was positive and will inform the smooth introduction of the SLJC in January 2020. Ongoing engagement will continue supporting system improvements.
artsACT
Capacity building for arts organisations
As part of its commitment to supporting Canberra’s vibrant arts sector, the ACT Government consulted with funded and non-funded arts organisations to determine their needs.
- Two participatory workshops were run, one with funded (12 people in attendance) and one with non-funded arts organisations (40 people in attendance).
- The outcome of the consultation process addressed the needs of the arts sector by implementing a suite of capacity building programs.
Performing Arts Infrastructure
Consulted with the performing arts community to identify strengths and gaps in the current performing arts infrastructure.
- Approximately 80 participants were invited to a workshop based on their knowledge, expertise and involvement in the performing arts sector in Canberra. 27 people participated in this workshop, including those from government-funded and non-funded organisations.
- The outcomes of the workshop will inform decisions around the Canberra Theatre Centre redevelopment business case.
Kingston Arts Precinct – Resident Arts Organisation Engagement
The ACT Government, through artsACT and the Suburban Land Agency (SLA), consulted with identified arts organisations to move to the Kingston Arts Precinct to establish a process for the next stage of development.
- Participants included board members and organisational heads from ArtSound FM, Craft ACT, Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Canberra Glassworks, M16, Megalo Print Studio + Gallery and Photo Access.
- Participants attended one-on-one meetings, two whole group workshops, as well as online and in-person collaborative work on documents. Approximately 20 people participated in these events, including artsACT and SLA staff, and engagement with consultants at workshops.
- Following consultation, a Process Agreement was developed with the future resident arts organisations identifying values, key issues requiring further development and resolution, and a process for further engagement on the project including design development.
- The Process Agreement will be used to guide the upcoming design development process and the establishment of a management body for the Kingston Arts Precinct.
Higher Education, Training and Research
ACT Skills Needs List
The ACT Skills Needs List is informed by a range of data and stakeholder feedback, providing an adaptive and dynamic approach to identifying ACT skills needs and funding priorities for vocational education and training (VET) qualifications in the ACT.
- The 2019 Draft ACT Skills Needs Lists was released for consultation with industry, employers, training providers and members of the wider community in August 2018.
- In addition to face-to-face opportunities, an online survey and ACT Government YourSay portal was available for public stakeholders to provide feedback.
- The consultation helped inform priorities for ACT Government funding of VET qualifications and finalise the ACT Skills Needs List 2019 which was released in October 2018.
Sport and Recreation
Controlled Sports Bill
The ACT Government is developing the Controlled Sports Act 2019. Key stakeholders from the combat sports industry, parents, carers and children participating in combat sports were invited to provide input on the draft Controlled Sports Bill and regulations to be included in the Controlled Sports Act 2019. The consultation was held over two periods, from July 2018 to August 2018 and from June 2019 to July 2019.
- During the first part of consultation, government received feedback from 35 industry representatives.
- The second part of consultation invited the combats sports industry, parents, carers and children to have their say on subordinate legislation and policies, such as the Code of Practice and minimum age for participation. 216 online survey responses were received from parents and carers, with six written submissions received. Four of those were submitted by children.
- A facilitated workshop led by a consultant was held with three children to identify their perceptions on risk and ideas of developing a minimum age for participation.
- Feedback provided throughout these consultation periods was considered when redrafting components of the Bill, such as the definition of combat sports, the approach to managing contestant safety, the regulatory approach and how industry will be informed about the requirements.
- The government is currently considering feedback to develop the subordinate legislation and policies for Controlled Sports Act 2019.
VisitCanberra
Nature-based Tourism Strategy
The development of a Nature-based Tourism Strategy was a 2016 election commitment in response to the growing demand for nature and wildlife experiences in Australia and the Canberra region.
In 2018, a project reference group was established to represent and provide guidance on the development of the Strategy. Key stakeholders from the nature tourism sector included ACT Government, tourism industry, nature and recreation-based groups, research organisations, regional councils and other organisations with a vested interest in nature and ecotourism.
- In September 2018, the Canberra community were invited to have their say on a YourSay website.
- 49 individuals shared the location of their favourite nature-based experiences.
- 172 individuals completed an online survey which included prompts on how they interacted with nature-based experiences, how satisfied they were and their views on conservation and tourism.
- A listening report outlining the community engagement is available on the YourSay website. Feedback from the consultation is currently being considered by government and will inform the development of future programs.
Treasury Stream
Economic and Financial Group
Review of the Lease Variation Charge (LVC)
During September 2018 to October 2018, public consultation was undertaken to gain feedback on how reforms made to the Lease Variation Charge framework were flowing through to community and whether further improvements to the framework are warranted.
- Community and industry stakeholders were invited to comment on a discussion paper through a YourSay page.
- Twelve submissions were received from community organisations, groups representing the property and housing industry, and individual members of the community.
- Direct meetings were held with some stakeholders to discuss their submission and input during the consultation period.
A Listening Report summarising input received and a detailed report outlining the potential changes considered by the Review can be found on the YourSay website. In summary, while some changes are required to the LVC framework, the LVC is achieving its objectives.
Input from consultation has been used to inform the development of changes announced by the government as part of the 2019-20 Budget.
Development and implementation of the Motor Accident Injuries Scheme
Throughout 2018 and 2019, consultation with relevant industry stakeholders ensured that the new compulsory third party (CTP) scheme achieved the objectives determined by the Citizen’s Jury on CTP reforms and that there were no unintended consequences for industry stakeholders.
Consultations continue around further aspects of implementation, with the new Motor Accident Injuries Scheme to commence on 1 February 2020.
2019-20 ACT Budget Business Liaison Program
The Budget Business Liaison Program is conducted each year prior to every ACT Budget Review or Budget by ACT Treasury on a confidential basis.
- Eight organisations (15 people in total) were consulted via face-to-face meetings in March 2019 to April 2019.
- Views on the outlook for the ACT economy were collected and considered as part of the 2019-20 Budget forecasting process.
Finance and Budget Group
Budget Consultation
The Budget Consultation process informs decision-making processes associated with development of the Territory’s annual budget. Community members, businesses and local organisations were invited to share their views by either written submission or a survey on a dedicated YourSay page. To ensure the community were aware of the consultation, a direct email was sent to prior participants in budget consultations and to subscribers to the YourSay page (approximately 6,000 people).
- The government received 97 written submissions and 49 responses to the survey.
- On the closing date of consultation (31 October 2018) there were 649 unique visitors to the website.
ACT Government agencies consider the input provided as they develop new proposals for potential inclusion in forthcoming budget updates. Views and suggestions provided by the community inform the government’s decision-making, drawing on the knowledge and experience of users and providers of government services. The annual budget represents the ACT Government’s response to the matters raised via the consultation process.
Procurement ACT
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Policy
Key stakeholders and the community were invited to provide input to inform the development of a new policy to provide better support and more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises in our community to compete for ACT Government work.
- The consultation was split into two stages. The first was held from October 2018 to November 2018. Eleven key organisations were invited to provide feedback on the draft policy and were also invited to attend face-to-face meetings. Three stakeholders participated in the meetings, which further shaped the Policy prior to wider public consultation.
- The second stage held from January 2019 to February 2019, invited the community and stakeholders to provide feedback via the YourSay website. More than 150 people visited the YourSay website and four written submissions were received.
- Procurement ACT engaged independent facilitators to hold an interactive Deliberative Workshop on 15 February 2019 with representatives of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises.
- Feedback provided throughout the consultation period was encouraging and has informed the government’s final procurement policy which can be found on the Procurement website.
Workplace safety and Industrial Relations
Long Service Leave (Portable Scheme) Legislative Review
From 28 March 2019 to 7 May 2019, a discussion paper on the technical and administrative reforms to the Long Service Leave (Portable Schemes) Act 2009 was released for stakeholder consultation. Peak industry bodies and employers from covered industries under the Act provided comments on proposed reforms which will inform amendments to the Act.
Licensing Scheme for the Labour Hire Industry
The ACT Government has committed to developing a licensing scheme to encourage responsible practices in the ACT labour hire sector. Comments received in response to the discussion paper seeking views on the scheme’s design (released for comment from 20 June 2019 to 26 July 2019) will be considered as part of the policy development process.