About
Our purpose
Our purpose is to inspire meaningful participation in democracy by listening to the residents of Fadden. We strive to effectively communicate the collective issues and concerns to elected representatives at local, state, and federal levels; strengthening the relationship between the community and government, and ultimately promoting a stronger, more responsive and accountable democracy.
Our values
1. Integrity
We champion transparency, accountability, and honesty.
2. Respect
We foster a culture of respect and safety for all, particularly for women and other vulnerable individuals, striving to create inclusive spaces where all voices are heard and valued in shaping our collective future.
3. Democratic principles
We aim for consensus and decide on issues together, in consultation with the community and experts where appropriate.
4. An evidence-based approach
We advocate policies grounded in data, research and historical knowledge to ensure a sustainable future in the realms of environment, economics and social wellbeing.
5. Accountability
We are answerable to the people of our community, to future generations and to each other.
The team
Liz Thatcher
Liz believes in democracy and that it is up to the people to make it work. Asking questions and listening to the answers. What do we like, what do we not like, how can we change. We have to be proactive. People have fought for the right to vote. We are responsible for protecting the right to vote and the right to a democracy. That is why I am here.
Murray Bourne
Murray has been impressed with the performance, integrity and intelligence of the new breed of independent members of parliament (like Monique Ryan, Cathy McGowan, Rex Patrick, Tony Windsor, and Zoe Daniel) and senators (like David Pocock). They are able to voice the opinions of their constituents, and accept scientific research, rather than voting how their party wants them to vote.
Murray has been concerned for some time with the poor state of the democratic process in Australia, where integrity is hard to find and intelligent decisions even rarer. Public institutions no longer serve the people as well as they did, and many things are crying out for reform. The independent members of parliament are doing the best job of addressing these issues, and so he joined Voices of Fadden aiming to achieve positive change.