How Change.org became a legitimate force in Australian politics

Until recently, politicians could safely ignore clicktivism.

Hundreds of online petitions could fill their inboxes and they could look the other way, but that's changing. Now campaigns started on Change.org are translating into activism beyond the Internet and Australia's elected officials are taking notice. 

In the 2016 election cycle, every major political party responded to at least one Change.org petition, if not more. It means you can start to make your voice heard by simply typing out your name.

For example, in recent months, leader of the Australian Greens, Richard Di Natale, responded to a petition calling for a sugar tax on soft drinks; Kelly O'Dwyer, the Liberal Party minister for small business, responded to one asking the government to stop the backpacker tax; and Penny Wong, leader of the Labor Party in the senate, also responded to a petition asking for funding to be returned to mental health programs.  Read more...