Focus Vote

Focus Vote Committee

The purpose of each committee (For and Against) is to support the view point of either side of the “Issue” at Focus.

It is about having a structure that enables and encourages constructive robust discussion.

Remuneration

Members who serve on the committee will be paid for their services as these positions carry great responsibility.

Independence

Committees will be independent from Government. 

Committee members are intended to be a reflection or representation of the general community

Committee Selection

To be selected to serve on a committee you must nominate yourself.

Upon nomination there will be a series of questions that will vary depending on the Issue at Focus, which the applicant will need to answer.

Typically they will relate to your Availability, Academic Qualifications and Life experiences so that each applicant can be placed into a pool of similarly Qualified or experienced applicants.

A total of 12 names will be randomly drawn from the available pools in equal proportion and offered to serve on the committee. 

The selected person will be able to decline, in which case another name will be randomly drawn from the same pool.

It is specifically intended that selection is as random as possible so that we do not have the same people continuously serving on committees. 

Support Staff

Each committee will be allocated dedicated support staff to assist with the administration and submission process. Support staff are only able to do what the committee directs. They cannot be involved in the decision process.

Task of each Committee (For and Against)

Once finalised the 12 committee members will elect a chairperson.

The committees will then decide on the “categories” on which their arguments will be based. As an example only these categories could be;

1. Economic/Financial
2. Political
3. Legal
4. Environmental
5. Religion
6. Etc.

The two chairpersons will then meet and agree on the categories under which both committees will receive submissions from the Australian Public.

The committees will then call on the Australian Public to make their submissions to the committees under the provided category that is of concern to them.

Only Australian Citizens will be permitted to make submissions to the Committees.

After the time allocated for arguments to be submitted to the committees has expired, then the committees will collate all submissions and formulate a summary of arguments under each category.

It is the responsibility of each committee to verify facts where submissions are claiming to be factual or based on specific research or scientific peer reviewed papers.

All arguments received will be categorised into two overriding categories of Substantiated (Factually based) or Unsubstantiated (Opinion or belief). 

It would severely weaken the credibility of arguments submitted if the committee incorrectly categorises submissions.

Each committee will then formulate their submissions for Public release in both a written form and Audio visual form (Documentary style of approximately 30 minutes) at which point they will be simultaneously released for public exhibition on official information outlets.

Once released for public exhibition both committees will be dissolved.