In this episode, we talk to Ms Suzanne Orr MLA, Territory Member for Yerrabi and Minister for Community Services and Facilities; Minister for Disability; Minister for employment and Workplace Safety, and Minister for Government Services and Procurement, about engaging the Australian voters in the political discourse.

Topics covered include:

• Transitioning from the backbench to the Ministry
• The advantages and disadvantages of a Hare-Clark political system
• The benefits of private members’ bills
• The importance of not self-selecting out of politics, especially as a young woman
• How more women can become involved in organisational board roles
• How to ensure young people feel comfortable with politicians through developing networks with communities
• Which issues Canberrans are most concerned about
• How politicians, especially ministers, educate themselves on relevant issues
• Preparing for a political campaign
• The benefits of organising a petition as a politician
• The threat of climate change and how state and territory political representatives can respond
• The need to take action on social issues in Canberra
• The cultural change around mental health and the reducing stigma around the topic
• Promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace
• The working relationship between Labor and the Greens in the ACT Legislative Assembly
• The positives of living in Canberra
• The importance of human beings’ connection to nature
• How chatting to voters can keep politicians grounded
• The need to rebuild trust between politicians and the community
• What does it mean by ‘political games’ and when is it acceptable to use strategies
• How urban planning is a vital skill in politics
• How the growth of Legislative Assembly has increased committee activity
• The benefits of citizen engagement in political inquiries
• The use of new and innovative techniques for citizen engagement in politics

About Minister Orr:

Suzanne Orr grew up in Giralang playing cricket with her neighbours in our cul-de-sac and going to Brownies at the Giralang Primary School hall. Her first job was at the Sizzler in Belconnen and it marked the start of a ten year career in hospitality and tourism. After completing university, Suzanne worked as an urban planner in the public service and a few years ago, she made the big move from Belco to Gungahlin.

She now lives in Franklin with my adopted cat Portia Pie.

Growing up, her family fostered more than 200 children because they wanted to help kids who needed it most. Suzanne learned we can do a lot to help each other, but sometimes we can’t solve all the problems ourselves.  Luckily Suzanne and her family had social services there to help and it showed her that government has a big role to play in helping when people need extra support.

Like her voters, she has seen Canberra change and grow.

As a representative in ACT Legislative Assembly, Suzanne wants to help to make Yerrabi the best it can be and ensure that the needs of people living in the Belconnen, old Gungahlin and new Gungahlin suburbs of the electorate are all looked out for.

Suzanne wants to see more nature in Yerrabi’s urban areas and an improved public transport system. As someone who is passionate about planning and good urban design, she feels there is a lot we can do to improve the way we build our city and how we engage with the community in doing so.