Is it safe to speak up?

The recent terrible event involving Independent MP for Indi, Helen Haines, has highlighted the extent to which normal public debate has been transformed into personal attacks and violence. For the good of our community, we must all do what we can to restore healthy community discussion and be accepting of views we disagree with.

Sustainable Macleod uses public debate and advocacy to attempt to bring about positive change. Our goal is to ‘create a connected, safe and supportive community for Macleod and surrounding suburbs.’ The pursuit of this goal often brings us into disagreement with others in our community and those in government. It is important that we are able to argue our case forcefully, with clarity and without falling into blame.

One example of our approach some years ago was the campaign to stop parking meters being placed at the Macleod shops. Our local councillor supported parking meters, with the aim of encouraging people to reach the shops without resorting to cars. We were convinced that introducing the meters would result in fewer locals visiting the shops. We discussed the issue with him, putting our case powerfully, while maintaining a healthy relationship with our local councillor and others in the community. We were successful in stopping the meters being installed.

Within Sustainable Macleod members have a range of differing opinions. Individuals may disagree on a particular advocacy direction, or on how the community garden is managed. They may have issues in their relationships with other members. In all these cases, the responsibility of the organisation is to provide a safe, supportive environment where issues can be raised, debated and a positive outcome achieved. 

Members are also responsible for maintaining this environment. That involves a willingness to listen and respond respectfully and appropriately when issues are raised. Discussion and debate of issues can – and should – be robust and direct to reach the best possible outcomes. We can’t always get what we want, so accepting all decisions with good grace is a necessity.

In the public sphere, the rise in online abuse, misinformation and disinformation, coupled with the decline of trusted news sources, is alarming. One of the dangers is that public debate will be stifled. Sustainable Macleod, as a public advocacy organisation, needs to be part of public debates, without fear of personal attacks and reprisals. 

As members of Sustainable Macleod, we can play our part by strengthening a culture of robust discussion, while understanding the views of others. We must model acceptance of each other to be a successful sustainable organisation and resist the temptation to jump to blame and attack. We must make it safe for ourselves and others to speak up.