Gambling Reform and the Power of Independents with Andrew Wilkie MP
2024-09-26 19:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Online
Andrew Wilkie is the federal member for Clark in Tasmania, first elected as an Independent in 2010, in what was then the safe Labor seat of Denison. He has been re-elected on increasing margins since, demonstrating the satisfaction of his constituents with their independent representation. He is active on a range of issues affecting his electorate, with gambling reform a particularly important issue since his time working with the minority Gillard Labor government in his first term.
Free to attend but please register for the link.
This webinar is a joint event between Voices for Canberra and Voices of Bean.

Denis Ginnivan in discussion with Voices for Canberra and Voices of Bean
2024-10-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Venue provided on registration
The community independents movement is transforming Australian politics, from the election of Cathy McGowan to the seat of Indi in 2013, the election of Zali Steggall in Warringah in 2019 and then six more community independents in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in 2022. The current crossbench of 18 is tipped to grow at the next election, with neither major party likely to achieve a majority.
Denis Ginnivan is a founding member of Voices for Indi and co-author of ‘The Indi Way’, telling the story of the origins of the movement. Denis also travels the country mentoring emerging Voices groups, explaining what it took in Indi and helping each group find their own path from a few committed individuals to a strong movement.
Please register for the address in Red Hill.

Levelling the playing field: Lobbying in Australian politics
2024-10-22 19:30 - 20:30 | Online
Join us for this webinar to hear about the issues with Australia’s lobbying regulations. What opportunities are there for monitoring and limiting undue influence of lobbying by commercial entities on public policy and the health and wellbeing of Australians and the environment?

Jennifer Lacy-Nichols is a Commercial Determinants of Health Research Fellow, University of Melbourne. Her work focusses on corporations, politics and health. Her current portfolio of work focusses on the development of methods to systematically monitor the political strategies of corporations such as lobbying, political donations, the revolving door and industry associations.

Katherine Cullerton is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Public Health, University of Queensland. Her current research involves understanding the barriers to evidence informing public policy and how advocates can better influence policy in Australia with a particular emphasis on the effects of framing and public opinion.

Free to attend but please register for the Zoom link.

Chats at the shops
2024-11-09 10:30 - 12:00 | Campbell Shops (Blamey Pl), 18 Blamey Place, Campbell, ACT, 2612, Australia
We’re out on weekends chatting to the people of Canberra about the issues that are important and what we would want to see in an independent candidate. Just come out and have a chat with us to make sure your voice is heard, or join us in having conversations with others.

Kitchen Table Conversation online
2024-11-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-11-15 19:30 - 20:30, 2024-11-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
You may have heard of ‘Kitchen Table Conversations’ because they’re widely used as a way of listening to the community, and participants find them very rewarding. We ask a few simple questions, everyone has a chance to speak, and it’s not about arriving at a consensus, just people being listened to in a respectful way. For a more complete understanding, please see the KTC Kit.
Please email to reserve a place and receive the Zoom link, and by all means bring a friend.

Is Politics a Joke? Comedy as a tool for political communication
2024-11-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Online
Join us for this online panel to hear four local comedians discuss the importance of comedy in a political landscape, and why political satire is universally enjoyed.
The event will be a moderated panel discussion with the opportunity for a Q&A at the end.
Our panellists are: Sarah Stewart, Caitlin Maggs, Laura Johnston and Felix McCarthy.
Free to attend, please register for the link.
This event is jointly organised by Voices of Bean and Voices for Canberra.

Webinar: Volunteering on Election Campaigns as a Public Servant
2025-02-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Volunteering on Election Campaigns as a Public Servant – Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Too Scared to Ask…
Are you a public servant interested in getting involved in a political campaign in the next federal election? Perhaps you’re concerned about what you can – and can’t – do as a public servant? The good news is that as a public servant you absolutely have the right to be involved in election campaigns. But we understand you might be hesitant or have some questions – please join us at this webinar with Kieran Pender, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the ANU College of Law and leading expert on employee free speech, to find out more.
Kieran Pender is an Australian lawyer, writer and academic, based in Canberra. He writes for The Guardian and other publications, including a monthly public sector employment law column in the Canberra Times. Kieran is a leading expert on whistleblower protections and employee free speech.
This event is hosted jointly with Voices of Bean, proACT and Voices for Canberra.

Voices for Canberra Planning Workshop
2025-11-16 12:30 - 16:30 | Venue provided on registration
Voices for Canberra is building a volunteer movement in the federal electorate of Canberra, in anticipation of a Independent campaign in 2028. We welcome you to join us if you’re interested in better representation and politics done differently and have some capacity to get involved. Help us design a roadmap of our work for the next couple of years.
Free to attend but please register here.

Multicultural Festival
2026-02-08 10:00 - 17:00 | Glebe Park, Akuna St, Canberra
Voices of Canberra is listening to the community and having conversations all around the electorate. Please come and let us know what is important to you and what you would like to see in an independent representative.
Team Pocock are kindly allowing us to have a volunteer at their stall at the Multicultural Festival – you’ll find us in Glebe Park along Akuna Street.

University of Canberra O-Week
2026-02-10 09:00 - 15:00 | University of Canberra, Kirinari St, Bruce
Voices of Canberra is listening to the community and having conversations all around the electorate. Please come and let us know what is important to you and what you would like to see in an independent representative. We’re particularly keen to hear from young people.
Team Pocock are kindly allowing us to have a volunteer at their O-Week stall at UC – we hope to see you there.

Australian National University O-Week
2026-02-18 09:00 - 15:00 | ACT
Voices of Canberra is listening to the community and having conversations all around the electorate. Please come and let us know what is important to you and what you would like to see in an independent representative. We’re particularly keen to hear from young people.
Team Pocock are kindly allowing us to have a volunteer at their O-Week stall at ANU – we hope to see you there.

Royal Canberra Show
2026-02-20 08:30 - 18:30, 2026-02-21 08:30 - 18:30, 2026-02-22 08:30 - 18:30 | Royal Canberra Show, Flemington Rd, Mitchell
Voices of Canberra is listening to the community and having conversations all around the electorate. Please come and let us know what is important to you and what you would like to see in an independent representative.
Team Pocock are kindly allowing us to have a volunteer at their stall at the Show – we hope to see you there.

Monthly Social Catchup: 10 Yards (Aranda)
2026-02-26 17:30 - 19:30 | 10 Yards, 68 Bandjalong Cres, Aranda
We meet regularly for a chat and drinks at great venues around the electorate. Please join us if you would like to find out more about Voices of Canberra and what else we’re doing.

Cycling City Cruise
2026-03-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Haig Park, near corner of Girrahween St and Northbourne Ave, Braddon, ACT
We’ll be at this Pedal Power event, keen to connect with you.
Voices of Canberra is listening to the community and having conversations all around the electorate. Please come and let us know what is important to you and what you would like to see in an independent representative.
More details from Pedal Power.

VoC Listening in Lyneham
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Lyneham Shops, Hall St, Lyneham, ACT
Voices of Canberra is listening to the community and having conversations all around the electorate. Please come and let us know what is important to you and what you would like to see in an independent representative.

Monthly Social Catchup: Tilleys (Lyneham)
2026-03-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Tilleys, Brigalow St & Wattle St, Lyneham, Australia

Monthly Social Catchup: Little Oink (Cook)
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Little Oink, 22 Cook Pl, Cook

Monthly Social Catchup: Two Blind Mice (Curtin)
2026-05-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Two Blind Mice, 6/44 Curtin Pl, Curtin

Monthly Social Catchup: Qure (Bruce)
2026-06-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Qure Bar & Grill, 2/21 Battye St, Bruce

Monthly Social Catchup: Civic Pub (Braddon)
2026-07-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Civic Pub, Unit 5/8 Lonsdale St, Braddon

Monthly Social Catchup: The Kingo (Kingston)
2026-08-12 17:30 - 19:30 | The Kingo, 73 Canberra Ave, Griffith

Monthly Social Catchup: The Pedlar (Campbell)
2026-09-17 17:30 - 19:30 | The Pedlar, 65 Constitution Ave, Campbell

Monthly Social Catchup: Northies (Kaleen)
2026-10-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Northies, 163 Maribyrnong Ave, Kaleen

Monthly Social Catchup: Gang Gang (Downer)
2026-11-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Gang Gang Cafe, Shop4/2 Frencham Place, Downer

Monthly Social Catchup: Harmonie (Narrabundah)
2026-12-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Ave, Narrabundah
