The Engagement Institute is advocating for the establishment of an Engagement Coordinator-General role across Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand to help strengthen the consistency, quality and coordination of community and stakeholder engagement practice.
As expectations around engagement continue to grow, governments and organisations are increasingly being asked to deliver engagement that is transparent, meaningful and connected to decision-making. However, engagement approaches are often fragmented, inconsistent and duplicative — contributing to stakeholder fatigue, reduced trust and avoidable project risks.
An Engagement Coordinator-General would provide leadership, oversight and coordination to help improve engagement practice across jurisdictions, reduce duplication and support more consistent standards across government systems.
High-quality engagement leads to better decisions, stronger relationships and more credible outcomes. Without consistent oversight and coordination, engagement can become reactive, inconsistent and difficult for communities to navigate.
The proposed role would help:
- improve consistency and quality of engagement practice
- reduce duplication and consultation fatigue
- strengthen community trust and transparency
- support more effective policy and project outcomes
- improve coordination across government agencies and local government
Our Advocacy Focus
We are advocating for this reform through government engagement, member advocacy and policy discussions across jurisdictions. We are seeking to build awareness of the role and its potential to strengthen engagement practice at a system-wide level.
Resources and Briefing Materials
Download resources to learn more about the proposed role, advocacy priorities and how this reform could strengthen engagement practice across jurisdictions.
What We’re Advocating For
The establishment of a legislated Engagement Coordinator-General to:
- Set consistent engagement standards
- Improve coordination across government
- Reduce duplication and stakeholder fatigue
- Strengthen trust in decision-making
Why This Matters (For You and Your Work)
- Fewer conflicting engagement processes
- Clearer expectations and standards
- Better outcomes for communities and stakeholders
- Greater recognition of engagement as a professional discipline
What You Can Do
1. Start Conversations
Raise the concept with:
- Local MPs and candidates
- Councillors and local government leaders
- Senior executives in your organisation
Keep it simple: “We need a central role to coordinate and improve engagement across government.”
2. Use Your Networks
- Share the proposal within your organisation
- Raise it in professional forums and meetings
- Encourage colleagues to support the idea
3. Engage Politically (Yes, Really)
- Request meetings with local representatives
- Ask candidates where they stand on engagement reform
- Position this as a practical, non-partisan improvement
4. Leverage Election Moments
Where elections are approaching:
- Raise this as an election policy ask
- Encourage candidates to commit publicly
- Highlight the link between engagement and community trust
5. Amplify the Message
- Share Engagement Institute materials
- Use LinkedIn and professional channels to raise awareness
- Reinforce consistent messaging
How the Engagement Institute Will Support You
- Providing clear messaging and briefing materials
- Coordinating advocacy across jurisdictions
- Engaging directly with political stakeholders
- Amplifying member voices
The Bottom Line
Better engagement doesn’t happen by accident—it needs leadership.
This is a practical reform. It’s achievable. And with coordinated advocacy, it’s winnable.