Our Story
Our History
Bang the Table was established in 2007 by Dr Crispin Butteriss and Matthew Crozier.
Having worked in the Australian and UK public sectors for around 30 years collectively, we were painfully aware of the need to bring a larger audience into the debate about public policy. We had both been in the position of running or speaking at unproductive "town hall" style community meetings which provide little benefit for the community or the change proponent (whether government or private sector). These meetings were, and remain, typically inhabitated by a few people who are either passionately interested in the subject at hand, vehemently opposed to it, or heard about the free tea and biscuits and came along for a stickybeak.
Of course providers of community engagement services have become more and more sophisticated in the techniques used to engage the community. The IAP2 website provides an excellent resource in this regard. However, no matter how sophisticated, all non-web based methods of engagement have significant barriers to participation: either you have to break your busy routine to attend an event or you have to write a submission.
As long as these barriers to participation persist then we will only hear from a minority of the community - usually the same people each time we consult. These people are to be applauded for the effort they put in to participating in our community but they are by no means representative of the rest of us. Bang the Table is about accessing the silent majority and providing them with an opportunity to participate at a time and place of their own choosing.
Our Name
People often ask us 'why did you call it Bang the Table'? It is certainly memorable - and essential ingredient for any new business - but it can be polarising. Some people, including most community members who visit the site, love it, while others, mostly very nervous government clients, aren't quite so sure. So why do we stick with it?
- There are lots of places to go and talk on the internet. The difference with Bang the Table is that on this site we only host discussions for decision makers. When you come to Bang the Table your voice will be heard. We think the name illustrates this difference.
- Because we think it is a pretty accurate reflection of how people very often feel when they come to a consultation process for the first time.
- Our experience has taught us that we, the community, are frustrated by a lack of consultation about the issues that affect the way we live.
- We like it and offer rebranded solutions for those who don't.