Stephanie Chu has called Australia home for almost 20 years, but is ineligible to sign local petitions because she is a non-citizen. It is a situation that has left her and many others feeling powerless in their own community.
Non-citizens aren't classed as electors and are left off council petitionsOne Perth council says it would be a long process to change the rulesBut unlike most ratepayers, she is not eligible to sign local petitions — a situation that has left her feeling powerless in her own community.
"I think it's unfair because the City of Canning should be representing the people that live here," she said.Ms Chu thinks it is unfair non-citizens are unable to sign petitions. It is not known exactly how many people are impacted by the rules, but local campaigners are pushing for change so everyone can be included in the democratic process.Canning resident Shouvojit Sarker discovered the issue when he was campaigning to lower council rates.Shouvojit Sarker is a citizen, but is pushing to have the rules changed for those who are not.
"It's not just about getting X number on a petition — it's also about making those people feel included in our society," he said.He believes the ability to have a say on local issues is particularly important for migrants who have come from countries without free democracies."If we can engage them early on … we [can raise] awareness about what our political process looks like, what a free democracy looks like and what participation in democracy means," he said.
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