Australian Citizens' Parliament

Luca Belgiorno-Nettis' influence on current thinking about the reform of Australia's political system has been established through his leadership since he founded community based citizens' organisation, newDemocracy Foundation Limited, in 2004. His writing and presentations on the subject have been the catalyst for a diverse group of academics, politicians, and business leaders to come together in the interests of democratic political reform.

He has organised public forums and seminars involving leading academics and former politicians, providing intellectual leadership in thinking about alternative political systems and citizen engagement in the democratic process. With his academic background in architecture and urban estate management, he has a professional interest in understanding how communities are created, in both physical and political terms.

Under Luca Belgiorno-Nettis' leadership, newDemocracy has engaged the interest of key figures such as John Button, Fred Chaney, Geoff Gallop and John Menadue. These individuals have been sought across the political spectrum of Australia: representatives from the major political parties as well as across Federal and State boundaries. The organisation has facilitated discussion both among such figures and with the larger public. It has acted as a source of innovative ideas for political reform. In his October 2005 speech at the first public forum launching newDemocracy, Belgiorno-Nettis set an agenda that involved exploration of electoral reform, civic renewal, transcendence of either-or thinking in partisan politics, the relationship of elected representatives to public servants, and campaign financing.

Luca is the Joint Managing Director of investment and development company Transfield Holdings Pty Limited and has previously held senior managerial positions within Transfield Pty Limited, including Regional Director Asia (1992-1999), General Manager Transfield Properties (1991-1992) and Sabemo Development Director (1988-1989).

Reflecting his other passion of art and culture, Luca is Chairman of the Biennale of Sydney, Australia's largest visual arts event showcasing innovative contemporary art from Australia and around the world.