The Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD) will host the assembly at Woden Valley Uniting Church on Gillies Street from 1.30pm, describing it as an experiment in strengthening representative democracy.

The event will determine which policy proposals — gathered through a month-long public poll — should be formally put to ACT’s two senators, Katy Gallagher and David Pocock, and the three members of the House of Representatives, Andrew Leigh, Alicia Payne and David Smith.

The poll has now closed, with 127 proposals submitted by 51 people. A total of 217 people cast 9,018 votes.

According to CAPaD, the five proposals receiving the strongest agreement were to tax the fossil fuel industry; address tax incentives that encourage housing as wealth creation rather than accommodation; stop subsidising fossil fuel industries and redirect funds to a just transition; work with First Nations people on a national truth-telling process; and ban all forms of gambling advertising.

The proposals drawing the most disagreement included whether AUKUS is a good investment, whether voting should be compulsory only for those who can pass a basic policy test, whether Australia should develop nuclear power, require new migrants to live in regional areas for five years, or establish an independent nuclear deterrent.

At the March 8 assembly, attendees will decide which proposal or proposals to ask MPs to pursue in 2026. CAPaD says it will then approach each federal representative seeking a commitment to act.

A follow-up assembly is planned for November to invite MPs to report back on progress.

The full report and registration details are available at canberra-alliance.org.au/Activity.