(Photo by Toru Kurata)

Byron Shire People's Referendum Launches

First in Australia

Byron Shire residents have begun a People’s Referendum (3 November 2009).  The Will of the People Project (WPP) presents five questions that all residents 18 and over in the Byron Shire are asked to answer on line at www.willofthepeopleproject.net.   The purpose is to determine exactly how the Will of the People of Byron Shire is to be formulated, so that the community can instruct their elected officials as to their will.

Dudley Leggett of Sustainability Research Institute, which is a partner along with Byron Community & Cultural Centre and Island Quarry in the project, said, “As far as we know, before this time no community has ever been asked exactly what in their case constitutes the Will of the People.  This is important since it’s the duty of all elected representatives in government to implement the Will of the People.  Note that this is not a statutory Citizen's Initiated Referendum (CIR) that requires legislative approval. This is a ‘People's Referendum’ initiated by the People acting in their Sovereign capacity. We believe this will be a first.”

Founding member of WPP, Ricardo Johansson, stated, “The world has reached a time of multiple crises - which calls into question the legitimacy and morality of our current political systems (which include the bankrupt financial systems).   It’s the responsibility of the People to make a concerted move towards a fully democratic agreement-generating process and to create sustainable solutions.”

Paul Margolin, a WPP member, said, “Originally government was a creation of the People to implement their will.  Nowadays, we experience a government in control of the People rather than the People being in control of their government.  The only way elected officials can implement our will is if we tell them what it is.  It is time to assume our duty as the Sovereign authority of government.”

The Will of the People Project launched in the Byron Shire in April of this year building upon a rich 30 year local history starting with the Terania Creek demonstrations (read history on the WPP site).   This Referendum is pivotal to the ignition of our universally empowered right to self government.  WPP Symposiums began at Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall and Byron Community & Cultural Centre, and then evolved to a regular presence at Byron Markets.  The Byron Shire community has also become familiar with its activities through print media and radio.  Everyone is welcome at the WPP meetings at the Temple Byron each Sunday except market days for a  6 PM start.

Participate in making history by uniting in person or on line at www.willofthepeopleproject.net.  Many answers to your questions may be found on the FAQ section of the WPP site.

If not us, who?  If not now, when?

Also, make your mark at the WPP Open Space Bulletin Board at Byron Markets.

“There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” Victor Hugo

See Editorial published in the 3 November 2009 issue of the Byron Shire Echo:

www.echo.net.au/archives/24_22-08.html

See first half-page ad published in the 3 November 2009 issue of the Byron Shire Echo:

www.echo.net.au/archives/24_22-14.html