Organising Forum 2: Secrets & Lies Destroy Democracy

Post forum 1 wrapup 26/10/3; Ideas for what next 16/11/3; Free trade forum abandoned 30/11/3;
Election year first meeting 1/2/4; Second Meeting 22/2/4; Third Meeting 7/3/4; Fourth Meeting 21/3/4;
Fifth Meeting 4/4/4; Sixth Meeting 25/4/4; Seventh Meeting 2/5/4; Eighth Meeting 7/5/4; Accounts;

First Forum debrief and picnic, 26/10/3

Present: Sue, David, Brenda, Susy, Lyn, Serena, Tina, Jim
Apologies: Frennie, Mario

Debrief: Excellent event! Circulated numerous congratulatory e-mails from attendees.
Sue has written to 4 speakers, Genia and John V thanking them (plus inviting all but Tony to Donna’s dinner)
Collection was just over $1400, leaving us with $1500 in balance for next project(s).
Can people let me (David) know what remains as outstanding expenses (Serena, Frennie – costs of gifts to present ers?)

What next? On balance we felt we should meet again fairly soon to talk about this.
Next Meeting: Sunday 16 November, 7:30pm at 8 Bay Street.

Ideas for what next 16/11/3

Present: Present: David, Sue, Brendan, Jim, Mario, Serena, Tina, Mike, Andrew, Ted, Emma, Lyn, Frennie, Lindsay
Apologies: Vacy, Susy, Alanna

We discussed what to do next: lots of ideas:

Another forum on:

role of the media
US free trade agreement
refugees
Palestine / Israel
future of the UN / international law

Getting people to sign up to a statement of democratic principles / charter of democracy

holding a Peace Party

collect and publicise statements from people of the middle and the right opposed to war

letter-writing campaigns

visiting schools to talk about the issues

holding a war crimes trial for the actions of the Coalition

Also separately discussed the need to be prepared to hold events around the federal election once it’s called.

We had a lot of discussion, but then focused on the possibility of a forum about the free trade agreement, since many people felt that if such a forum was to be held it would have to be held quickly – preferably before Christmas, before irrevocable decisions are made on our behalf without democratic input. Possible forum title: “Behind closed doors: an emergency debate about America’s plans for Australia’s future”

Question: do we now have the info and contacts in place to hold a forum at very short notice? It is worth finding that out before we possibly have to do that once an election is called.

Two key go/no-go questions:
Can we get a venue booked before (but as close as possible to) December 11? - Serena to check
Can we get at least three good name speakers for the date we can get a hall? - Andrew / Ted
(Possibilities: Bryan Brown/Colin Friel/Judy Davis, George Miller, Ross Gittins, Peter Garrett, Joe Hockey)

If these can be fixed in the next few days, we’ll go for it. If we do go for it, will need another meeting next week (Sun 23 Nov) . Whether or not we go for it, hold one more meeting before Christmas to discuss the other ideas in two weeks time. (Sun 30 Nov) (both at 7.30pm, 8 Bay Street), 2088).

We will let everyone know asap what happens with venue and speakers & therefore whether there is a meeting next Sunday.

Free trade forum abandoned 30/11/3

Present:Sue, David, Brendan, Serena, Andrew, Lyn
Apologies: Jim, Lindsay, Susy, Tina

Meeting on Free Trade Agreement: we could get the venue for Dec 9th, but although we made a good range of contacts for possible future events, we couldn’t get a good range of speakers, so cancelled. North Sydney Council were OK with that. Serena has passed on NSC contact details to Brendan.

What next?
We should:

join AFTINET
focus on peace and democracy
write more letters to the papers – Andrew to provide draft on free trade issues (follows)
pursue the idea of a charter or set of principles
revert to the question of the media and democracy but bring in several other issues about what we aren’t being told (eg on free trade) under title “Behind Closed Doors”

Next Meeting: Sunday 1 February, 7:30pm 8 Bay Street

Andrew’s draft:
-------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sir,

We are writing concerning the possible implications of the Free Trade
Agreement between Australia and the United States.

An initial concern is that this agreement can be adopted without due
consideration by our parliament, but may simply be accepted by the cabinet.
Although the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties may review the agreement,
it can only make recommendations - and we view this process as inadequate.
Considering the potentially huge implications of this agreement we believe
the current process does not allow sufficient debate and transparency and
that it shows up a serious weakness in our constitution. We note that in
the United States the proposed agreement must be considered and ratified by
the Congress. We feel we should have the same safeguards in Australia.

We note that the proposed agreement may operate on a 'negative list' basis
- meaning that any trade aspect not specifically exempted from the FTA is
considered 'included'. We oppose this approach, which has far reaching
ramifications. Any agreement should be circumscribed within clear
parameters and not be 'open ended' - as is currently proposed in this case
. We note an Australian Senate committee reviewing trade agreements has
recently recommended that negative list agreements be avoided in future
because of these concerns.

In our opinion the agreement poses a significant threat to our democratic
governance and our sovereignty. This is because the proposed FTA could
allow corporations to object to valid domestic decisions and refer these
decisions to trade courts. The effects of such regulations will be to hand
over our sovereign rights to corporations (including foreign corporations)
by undermining such important matters as our ability to decide what
institutions and services we wish to keep public owned, what environmental
or labour standards we want upheld and our ability to decide what foreign
capital is allowed to do in our own country. The proposed FTA could
inhibit our ability to determine if we want the release of genetically
modified crops and threaten our ability to inform consumers by labeling
products. These issues concern a majority of Australians and could have a
massive impact. To hand over these powers is to undermine our democracy
and threaten our sovereignty. This is a dangerous and unnecessary path to
go down.

It also seems especially shortsighted when one considers that it is
unlikely that Australia will gain much net financial advantage. Most
analyses suggest that financial effects on Australia from this proposed FTA
will be marginal at best - and quite possibly of no benefit at all. Clear
economic benefit to Australia is dependent on Australia gaining access to
US markets for our agricultural products. Given the high levels of
protection existing in the US (and the political clout of their farm lobby
there), it is extremely unlikely that we will gain significantly improved
access to these markets - making significant net financial gains by
Australia unlikely.

However some of the threats to our quality of life from other aspects of
this proposed FTA are already becoming evident. For example the threat to
our cultural identity and cultural industries has been widely publicised
and the threat to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has been talked about.
We are deeply concerned that many other issues will only emerge over time
and that we may be faced with 'faits accompli' if the FTA has already been
signed.

We believe the principle 'First, do no harm' should be applied. In a
circumstance such as this where the risks are so great and the potential
benefits are so unclear we believe that the precautionary principle should
be applied and that NO agreement should be entered into. We note that if
any agreement is signed we would expect those who have negotiated and
accepted the deal to be personally responsible and liable for any negative
consequences which might ensue,

Sincerely.

Election year first meeting 1/2/4

Present: Sue, David, Brendan, Jim, Frennie, Lindsay, Vacy, Mario, Tina, and
welcome to their first meeting to Liz Walton and Linda Shaw
Apologies: Alanna, Mike, Lyn

Remembrance: we spent some time remembering the late Dr Andrew McNaughtan and his contribution to this and many other groups.

Bureaucracy: noted expenditures on joining AFTINET (as agreed at last meeting) - anyone who wants to be copied on the weekly AFTINET bulletins please let David know, and on the website - renewing the registration of the domain name, and paying for a spam and virus filter on the e-mail address. Also agreed to renew our sponsorship of the Sydney Peace & Justice Coalition for 2004. (For amounts see the Accounts).

What is our view on Iraq now?
We had a discussion on what we think should happen now. There is an obvious need for reconstruction work, and a agreed desire to have everything under control of Iraqis as soon as possible. We couldn't all agree on whether it would be possible to hand over right now, but we do all agree that the US forces should not be controlling the country and handing out contracts etc, and any ongoing international presence (and spending) should be under UN control.

What next?

1) Write to Mark Latham congratulating him on his stance on future wars. (Subsequent discussions below add the need to invite him to speak at the next forum). Brendan and Tina to draft.

2) We looked at the list of ideas from the November meeting, and agreed we should be arranging another forum. Any forum whould have an eye on the election, so would be a four-party panel, with one of our local MPs - ie Howard, Hockey, Abbott, Bishop, Nelson or Ruddock, a Labor MP - preferably Latham, a Green and a Democrat (Stott-Despoja?).

Such a forum should still concentrate on issues of Peace and Democracy, rather than education, health etc. We should try and arrange it for April or May when Parliament isn't sitting, but close to sitting dates - this means first or third week of May.

Subjects we might discuss:

• The Americanisation of Australia;
• Decisions made behind closed doors;
• The future of Democracy in Australia;
• defence spending commitments on future governments (Son of Star Wars);
• free trade, fair trade, Australian policy and the lack of democratic input
• international law and foreign policy - sticking with big brother

It was suggested that we should try for a larger space, and that the Chatswood centres hold more than double the numbers for North Sydney. Mario to investigate. [What Mario discovered: Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue, Chatswood holds 600, is available for the times we want, and would cost around $1125 including Public Liability cover]

How do we widen the target audience?
Jim suggested we need to get more than just print coverage and the attention of even 600 people for our message. He thought of trying to get a simple message, like:
Secrets and Lies destroy Democracy
onto things like roadside banners and posters, car stickers, T-shirts. Jim to investigate cost of car stickers.

Charter of democratic principles: we also revisited the idea from November of getting a simple set of democratic principles set out for endorsement by public and private figures. Jim and Sue to start to look at a first draft, starting with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948
http://www.un.org/rights/50/decla.htm

Date of Next Meeting: we are going to have to meet more often than monthly if we’re going to get it done for May. Fortnightly would be good, but the first such would clash with the Pilger/Wilkie event on Feb 15th at UNSW, so next meeting 22 Feb 2004.

Second meeting 22/2/4

Present: Sue, David, Brendan, Alanna, Lyn, Jim, Frennie, Lindsay, Vacy, Mario, Tina, Linda
Apologies: Liz

Forum: Progress: Mario had got full details on Willoughby Town Hall, which can hold up to 800 people, and is available at the right times.

Phillip Adams has agreed in principle to chair, providing it is on a Monday Tuesday or Wednesday. Mark Latham's office say they cannot book that far ahead. Re-approach through Tanya Plibersek and other ALP channels before going on to other possibles. Liberal: start by approaching Brendan Nelson, as will be in his constituency (David). Greens: Kerry Nettle or Bob Brown, Democrats: Natasha Stott-Despoja or Aden Ridgeway (Frennie).

Agreed to soften title by adding a ? - thus: Secrets and lies destroy democracy?

Publicity:Jim had quotes on possible car stickers, and will get firmer ones based on discussion. David to contact Amanda Tattersall to find out where previous stickers sourced.

Charter for Democracy: Jim tabled first draft, and took away comments from discussion.

Next meeting: 7 March.

Third meeting 7/3/4

Present: Sue, David, Jim, Frennie, Lindsay
Apologies: Brendan, Lyn, Vacy, Mario, Tina, Linda

Forum: Progress:
People: Frennie has got agreement from Kerry Nettle and Aden Ridgeway to attend.
No reply yet from Brendan Nelson: David to chase. Latham’s office now say “will be too busy preparing for Budget”. Approach Carmen Lawrence and remind had agreed last time (David via Serena).
Date: David checking with Willoughby Council whether all proposed dates still available.
Publicity: Jim had quotes from several printers for car stickers. Frennie to also check AnTAR and Walk Against War contacts. We will go with 2,000 from the cheapest quote, so have available to sell at Mar 20 and Apr 4 events. Need to also promote through all our e-mail networks and press releases. David to draft A5 flier for next meeting. Agreed to not use paid ads in local papers, but begin to chase local reporters (Mosman Daily, North Shore Times, Manly Daily) on coverage.
Issues/questions: Please can everyone think about drafting questions, and send to David before next meeting so can be circulated.
Reminder of subjects suggested so far:

• The Corporatisation / Americanisation of Australia;
• Decisions made behind closed doors;
• The future of Democracy in Australia;
• defence spending commitments on future governments (Son of Star Wars);
• free trade, fair trade, Australian policy and the lack of democratic input
• international law and foreign policy - sticking with big brother
• the use of terrorism fears to reduce our democratic freedoms – eg Guantanamo/Hicks/Habib
• Downer quote : ``It wasn't a time in our history to have a great and historic breach with the United States," Mr Downer said yesterday. ``If we were to walk away from the American alliance it would leave us as a country very vulnerable and very open, particularly given the environment we have with terrorism in South-East Asia, the North Korean issue." (SMH 3/3/4)
• terrorism vs accountability

Charter for Democracy: Sue and Jim to meet to discuss: reminder of sources:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976)
Charter 88
Council for Civil Liberties
Democrats draft Bill

Guantamo/Hicks/Habib: Lindsay had received multi-page reply from Abbott’s office on this: core statements: Hicks/Habib cannot be tried in Australia; offences in foreign lands by Australians must be tried overseas; convinced military tribunal will be fair. Key question: which law in which lands will they be tried under (offences were not committed in US, nor is Guantamo, so why is US military law any more the right law than Aus law??) (potential Q for forum?)

Forthcoming events: Agreed to encourage attendance at Mar 20 Town Hall Square 10am, Uniting Church Service 11am and at Palm Sunday Rally, but leave Mar 20 Rally to individuals, given risk of planned unlawful actions and potential police response to that (though some of us will distribute leaflets and car stickers in Hyde Park at beginning and end).

Fundraising: will organise African evening at Bay Street as post-forum celebration.

Next meeting: March 21: Jim, Lindsay and David to contact members re low attendance at this meeting and encourage more for next time.

Fourth meeting 21/3/4

Present: David, Sue, Brendan, Mario, Alanna, Jim, Tina, Lyn, Lindsay
Apologies: Linda Vacy, Frennie, Mike

Palm Sunday: we need to encourage as many people to go as possible. David to e-mail all supporters and forum attendees.

Forum: The only date now available in our range at the Willoughby Town Hall is Monday 3 May. Agreed to pay the 50% deposit for that day. Need to chase Brendan Nelson and Kevin Rudd re attendance and seek alternatives if not.

Questions: lengthy discussion over Q’s submitted, brought, or raised on the night. See separate notes of longlist and shortlist.

Car stickers: Jim had brought to the meeting. They look great. Available from 8 Bay St.

Charter for Democracy: Jim, Sue and David had met to discuss and will again on 2 April.

Publicity: Need posters and leaflets: front of leaflet simple announcement, back to cover who we are, what the meeting is. Hand out leaflets and sell car stickers at Mosman Market 3 April and 1 May. Volunteers: Sue, David, Tina, Lindsay, Brendan, Jim.

Next meeting: Palm Sunday (4 April) at 7:30pm. We discussed having it earlier so people could pretty much come straight from the rally, but that didn’t work for enough people. If anyone does want to come straight from the rally and occupy the deck and pool until 7:30, they’re welcome!

Longlist of questions:

The War on Terror
1. Do you believe the so-called War on Terror has so far been successful? Do you see any alternative strategies?
2. Do you believe that open, public and sustained dialogue with the Muslim world might produce better results than the War on Terror?
3. Do you think there has been informed, democratic debate in Australia about the causes of terrorism and how to respond to it? If not, how would you see this happening?
4. What can the average Australian do to protect their future now that we have clearly put ourselves in the inevitable firing line? What secrets and lies are giving us a false sense of security and leading us to make poor choices for our future democracy and peace?
5. Is the world a safer place? Was going to war with Iraq the most strategic way to deal with terrorism?
Relationship with the US
6. Mr Downer recently said, referring to our support for the invasion of Iraq, “It wasn’t a time in our history to have a great and historic breach with the US.” Do you agree that to question the Bush administration’s doctrine of pre-emptive strikes would necessarily amount to such a breach?
7. How do you see the future of our democracy if Australian governments continue to show unconditional loyalty to the Bush policy of pre-emptive strikes?
8. When should we (next) engage in war or aggression with the United States without UN endorsement?
9. Does this country make its decisions in the interests of Australians or on the basis of American corporate / business interests?
Costs
10. Why are we able to find billions of dollars to fund the bombing of other countries when our government have admitted they are not able to adequately fund health and education for our people? What secrets and lies are allowing this distortion in values? (mention refugees and the cost there as well)
11. Why is it possible to find the dollars for defence and not adequately fund health and education?
WMDs and reasons for war
12. It is now clear that Mr Howard had signed Australia up to the invasion of Iraq even before the propaganda about Saddam’s WMDs was put out. How does this fit into your concept of democracy?
13. Why have we given military support to a Government who used 320 tonnes of depleted Uranium in the gulf war and 75 tonnes in the recent war? Depleted uranium has a half-life of 4.5 billion years and on impact is dispersed into dust which people then come into contact with. Iraq now shows an increase in cancer rates of 700 to 1000 percent, birth deformities 400 to 600 percent higher and radiation levels in Baghdad 1000 - 1900 times the normal limit. Does the current government support the endless murder of Iraqi citizens beyond our own lifetimes, and the exposure of our own and US troops to this unimaginable poison?
14. The US went to war with Iraq on the basis of supposed weapons of mass destruction, and yet the US continues to actively support Israel possessing nuclear weapons. Many problems are caused in the Middle East and elsewhere by the partial handling of the situation. In supporting the US war on terror, are we supporting a lost cause?
15. What, in our system, allowed secrets and lies to lead to the destruction of so many lives when we joined allied forces to pre-emptively bomb Iraq? What lies are we being told to justify or government’s actions? What secrets an lies should we beware of in preventing future such dangerous attacks? What truth needs to be exposed to protect our future?
16. What lies are we continuing to be told to justify the government’s actions?
17. What now are our criteria for participation in a "Just" war?
Other
18. The PM has said that people are sending their children to private schools because of the values they impart. What are these values – class, moral or religious?
19. Do Muslim fundamentalists and American neo-conservatives have a lot in common – they both want to polarise their respective electorates?
20. Should free trade agreements and the like be negotiated behind closed doors, or with the wider participation of the Australian people?
21. What is your position on the relative injustices in Iraq vs Palestine?


Shortlist and rewrite from David, Brendan and Tina + journalistic input from Emma

1: We were told the invasion of Iraq was necessary because of Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction: “… if Iraq had genuinely disarmed, I couldn’t justify on its own a military invasion of Iraq to change the regime” – John Howard, 14 March 2003. How can we trust future justifications for war in the light of this?

2: There has been little informed democratic debate in Australia about the causes of terrorism – in particular the unresolved Israel-Palestine conflict. The War on Terror cannot succeed by dealing with the symptoms alone. How can Australia work to address the causes?

3: Does a request for support from the US automatically and always pre-empt Australian policy and budgets at the expense of education, health and welfare, and if not, how should we decide which requests to refuse?

4: Free trade agreements and decisions that impact on all our lives are negotiated behind closed doors, without the wider participation of the Australian people. How can these decisions be made more democratically?

5: Australians are very cynical about the political process, and the extent to which secrecy and falsehood are used to justify policy decisions. How can our faith in the system be restored?

Fifth meeting 4/4/4

Present: David, Sue, Brendan, Tina, Jim, Lyn, Lindsay
Apologies: Alanna, Mario, Frennie, Linda

Forum: Speakers: Kevin Rudd confirmed, Still nothing from Brendan Nelson’s office(s).
Chair: Phillip Adams pulled out. Maxine McKew unavailable. Peter Macdonald asked, but will be Manly Council meeting night, so unlikely to be available. Other possibilities: ask Phillip for suggestion (David), ask Mark Davis (Brendan), David Marr (David). If none of these, ask Genia McCaffery.
Hall: deposit paid. We will need tablecloths, otherwise Hall has most things available, providing we give notice of what we need. Balance to be paid two weeks before (19 April). Need tables outside hall for people to sign up for mailings etc.
Questions: Jim to try new draft question 4 on party control of voting / secrecy of party rooms.
Publicity: need to leaflet in Chatswood pedestrian precinct (17 April Lindsay, Brendan, Lyn; 24 April David, Sue). Need media release to all local papers and e-mail lists as soon as panel finalised. Need paid ad in North Shore Times.

Charter for Democracy: Sue, Jim and David had met to redraft. Lyn pointed out needs heading and separation of items to make more readable. See A Democratic Australia for current draft. Agreed need to tidy up within group then get out as widely as possible for input from others (democracy in action!)

Date of next meetings: 25/4/4 and 2/5/4 (night before Forum).

Sixth meeting 25/4/4

Present: Sue, David, Frennie, Mario, Tina, Brendan, Jim, Lyn, Duncan
Apologies: Lindsay, Alanna

Forum: Marise Payne confirmed as Liberal rep. Still no chair, having failed with Mark Davis, David Marr, Genia McCaffery, Kate Lamb (Willoughby councillor). Frennie to approach Wendy McCarthy, and if she cannot do, Jim to approach Ted Mack.

Publicity: Leafleting again in Chatswood, Mosman, May Day rally and at Politics in the Pub. Good plug in Margo Kingston’s column in the Sun-Herald. Will be full story in Sydney Weekly Courier next week. Brendan trying to contact editor of North Shore Times: agreed to pay for ad in NST on Friday at around $300 (David). Mario recontact Manly Daily. Need to remind the media list of meeting and ask to attend (David).

Roles on the night:
Collections of donations and contact details: Lyn, Tina, Frennie, Duncan.
Greeting speakers / ushers: Brendan, Jim, Mario, David
Set up (from 6:30pm) David + Lindsay?
Tablecloths: Tina
Banner, projector, sound recording, badges etc: David
Radio mike: Lindsay?
Clean-up: all
Welcome to country / acknowledgement of traditional owners: Frennie
Final thanks etc: Sue

Questions:
Decided to leave out Q on free trade, and put WMD question first:
Sue to ask Andrew Wilkie to respond to that Q.
Final set :

1. We were told the invasion of Iraq was necessary because of Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction. “If Iraq had genuinely disarmed, I couldn’t justify on its own a military invasion of Iraq to change the regime” – John Howard, 14 March 2003. How can we trust future justifications for war in the light of what we now know? (Andrew Wilkie / Tina Jackson)
2. There has been little informed democratic debate in Australia about the causes of terrorism – in particular Israel’s occupation of Palestine. The War on Terror cannot succeed by dealing with the symptoms alone. How can Australia work to address the causes? (Brendan Doyle)
3. Does a request for support from the US automatically and always pre-empt Australian policy and budgets at the expense of education, health and welfare, and if not, how should we decide which requests to refuse? (David Roffey)
4. The present rigid control of Australian political parties over members effectively hijacks much of the decision-making process from open debate in the parliamentary chambers to behind the closed doors of party rooms, and is more coercive than in the US and UK. Why should this be permitted? (Jim Wilks)
5. Australians are very cynical about the political process, and the extent to which secrecy and falsehood are used to justify policy decisions. How can our faith in the system be restored? (Alanna Hardman / Vacy Vlazna)

We also hope that there will be time at the end to accept questions from the floor – we will ask for these to be handed in in writing before the end of question 3, so that the panel have a (brief) chance to think about them.

Charter for a Democratic Australia: people to review wording plus also to suggest any outside reviewers before general circulation.

AOB: agreed to write to Peter Macdonald, Genia McCaffery and Shirley Jenkins congratulating them on their mayoralties and thanking for past support. (Sue)

Next Meeting (final before the Forum): 2 May at 8 Bay Street

Seventh meeting 2/5/4

Present: Linda, Tina, Sue, Vacy, Brendan, Mario, Jim, Alanna, Sally, Peter, Frennie, David, Lindsay
Apologies: Lyn, Duncan
Final arrangements for forum:
Chair: Frennie arranged Shelley Reys from Reconciliation Australia
Publicity: Leafleting done at May Day rally and at Politics in the Pub. Stories in Sydney Weekly Courier and North Shore Times: ad in NST was $326.85 (David). Reminded the media list of meeting. David appeared twice on Triple H local radio in Hornsby promoting forum
Roles on the night:
Collections of donations and contact details: Lyn, Tina, Frennie, Duncan.
Greeting speakers / ushers: Brendan, Jim, Mario
Set up (from 6:30pm) David, Lindsay, Peter, Sally
Tablecloths: Tina
Banner, projector, sound recording, badges etc: David
Radio mike: Lindsay
Clean-up: all
Choosing questions from floor: Sue, Brendan, Alanna
Final thanks etc: Sue
Was agreed to ask for second radio mike (David – but on discovering would be extra $130 I didn’t do it)
Handouts: discussed whether to hand out copies of questions / Donna’s stuff from Falluja / Charter for Democracy, but agreed that questions would be projected, and charter / Donna’s stuff would be mentioned where appropriate by speakers from group.

Inter Faith Discussion in Manly 23 May: Agreed to circulate to members after the forum.

Next Meetings: debrief over wine and plate, 7pm Friday 7 May. Next full meeting: 7:30pm Sunday 20 June.

Eighth meeting 7/5/4

Present: Sue, David, Lyn, Duncan, Sally, Peter, Jim, Alanna, Frennie, Tina, Brendan, Lindsay
Apologies: Mario
How did it go?
Generally agreed with summary submitted by Mario, viz:

In my opinion the last forum was a great success: the speakers did well, so the questioners. I particularly enjoyed David's reply.
Some from my group noted that the majority of attendants were aged 50+
Why not more people of younger age ?
My group was happy about the system followed in conducting the forum and about 'controlled questions', because, they say, you can't have free questions from the floor in a forum like that.
Perhaps the replies by the questioners were too long and in some instances the speakers were allowed too much time.
All praised the professionalism of the organizers.

Also noted that many were disappointed that their question was not used: a problem here, we had 27 questions submitted – even if we had done 4 or 5 of those, 80% would have still been disappointed (down from 90% actual, but still the great majority). Need to think about how we handle this if we do it again.

Next full meeting: 7:30pm Sunday 20 June

Accounts:

© NSPD 2004. Last modified 16/05/04.