In this episode, we talk to Ms Tara Cheyne MLA, Territory Member for Ginninderra and Government Whip, about engaging the Australian voters in the political discourse.
Topics covered include:
- What makes Canberra a great place to live
- Why Canberra gets a bad rep
- The nature of the work of the public service
- The perception of state / territory politicians vs federal politicians
- The challenge for ACT politicians to ensure they are across both state-level and local-level areas of policy
- Why committee work does not receive enough media coverage
- How technology is changing the nature of committee work
- The impact social media has on politicians and politics
- The importance of genuine online engagement for politicians
- Why it is now harder to access voters than it was 10 years ago
- The advantages and disadvantages of a Hare-Clark system
- What it means to prepare for a territory election
- How politicians can connect with young people
- How to engage more young people in politics
- The steps to preselection prior to an election
- What has been achieved since Ms Cheyne’s election in 2016 by her office and her colleagues
About Ms Cheyne:
Tara Cheyne is a Labor member for Ginninderra (covering most of Belconnen) in the ACT Legislative Assembly and Government Whip. In 2019, Tara was was appointed Special Secretary to the Chief Minister, tasked with leading the ACT Government’s efforts to restore Territory rights as well as consulting with the community to identify market failures that are leading to poorer outcomes for Canberra consumers.
Tara was elected to the Assembly in October 2016 and she is proud to be a member of the first majority-female parliament in Australia’s history. Prior to being elected, Tara enjoyed a rewarding career in the Australian Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Finance in Canberra.
Tara grew up in several towns throughout Queensland but it wasn’t until she moved to Belconnen that she felt she’d found her home – somewhere she loved and felt a real sense of belonging. Tara purchased her home in the Town Centre and quickly joined the Belconnen Community Council. She later served as its Chair, the youngest Chair of all community councils at the time.
Tara also wanted to share her love for Canberra and promote her new home, so in 2011 she started a blog called In the Taratory. The blog covers all things Canberra and is a reference point for many people looking to explore our great city.
Tara has previously served as Secretary of the Belconnen Arts Centre Board and has been a Tournament of the Minds judge. She is a founding member of the Canberra Global Shapers and has volunteered with a number of organisations, including Radio 1RPH where she has been heard on Sunday evenings since 2009.
Tara was named by HerCanberra as a Woman to Watch in 2015 and as part of Canberra’s New Generation in 2017.
Tara has degrees in Journalism and Arts from the University of Queensland, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Canberra.
