The 2020 summit who should go?

The image http://www.australia2020.gov.au/2020_includes/images/main3.gif cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.I’ve just been asked by the Department of PM&C to nominate someone to go to the 202o Summit. Who should I nominate – and why?

This post will be moderated strictly. Suggestions should be serious and I hope you’ll provide good reasons. Of course there will be people who want to express an opinion about the Summit itself, and for that reason I’m creating an accompanying post inviting discussion on that topic. But in this thread, please concentrate on the proposed subject. And links to other blog discussions of the subject (good nominees, not whether it’s a good idea or not) would be most welcome also.

My own idea would be to try to think of someone who has some good concrete ideas about specific things we should do in the world of government policy – and so lower down the list would come

  • people who’s analysis and views about our current circumstances might be very astute, but who might not (necessarily) be expected to produce particularly outstanding suggestions for policy. By way of illustration – and illustrious illustration at that, I’d put Inga Clendinnen in this category even if I might be quite wrong – that is that in addition to being an extraordinarily acute observer of our world she’d be good at suggesting good policy changes.
  • people who are pretty interesting and capable of coming up with worthwhile ideas but who already have plenty of exposure to put those ideas.

If you want to nominate anyone right now – including yourself – just go to this website where you can do so (unaccountably the most efficient form of data transfer they’ve got is the email of a Microsoft Word document. Perhaps the option of a feedback form might have saved them some time arranging the data at the back end.)

This entry was posted in Climate Change, Economics and public policy, Education, Environment, Gender, Health, History, Journalism, Law, Life, Philosophy, Political theory, Politics - international, Politics - national, Religion, Science, Society. Bookmark the permalink.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

33 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
NPOV
NPOV
16 years ago

At least someone with good knowledge of Australia’s situation regarding oil dependency – e.g. someone from ASPO-Australia (http://www.aspo-australia.org.au/about-aspo-australia.html). Without some significant change in policy, by 2020 Australia could be as much as 80% dependent on Saudi Arabian oil, not a situation I think we can risk.

Forrester
Forrester
16 years ago

I was also going to say Norton and Leigh.

JohnZ
JohnZ
16 years ago

Jason Soon from Catallaxy.

Easily one of the best young intellectuals in Ozblogistan, and will have a different set of views to most of the other attendees.

Two Bob
Two Bob
16 years ago

I suggest someone should attend who can present the case against converting grain to ethanol, at least the case against Governments actively mandating/subsidising this industry.

This is contributing significantly to lessen food supply and so to the higher grain prices, now and in the future. If you dont know how big a disaster is looming for the world from food shortages then I suggest you find out. All your other concerns are insignificant.

Patrick
Patrick
16 years ago

I second the two Andrews most strongly. I also think that Jason Soon would be an excellent choice.

And even though they are closest communists (joke, relax!) I would recommend N G and Fred Argy.

For his contribution on aborigine and NT issues I would happily endorse KP as well.

MikeM
MikeM
16 years ago

Make it the three Andrews: add Bartlett to the list. He has been as level-headed and intelligently focused on ethical Australian aspirations as they come.

He is also looking for a job after July.

Vee
Vee
16 years ago

The Club Troppo set, The TWO Andrews, Jason Soon, Carlo Kopp, Peter Criss, Chris Berg, Mark Bahnisch, Cameron Riley, representatives of Shires Associations and that’s about it.

As for ideas, the abolition of road building in Sydney Metropolitan area (or is that too State based?) that doesn’t serve the people and would’ve been better spent outside of the city or on other perceived bottlenecks.

Laura
16 years ago

Zoe from Crazybrave.

Kevin Rennie
16 years ago

I have already posted an application but would greatly appreciate your nomination. I am happy to email you a copy. In a nutshell I have done lots of stuff, I know lots of stuff and I’m still learning and sharing stuff. I’m not a bigwig or mover and shaker just a grassroots activist with 40 years experience. No one is going to pay for me to go (even though Broome is a bit remote) but I might be able to get some Senior’s discounts along the way. It should be fun in the big house. I’m also in a minority group – a fan of Canberra.

In 2006 I helped organise for two Year 11 aboriginal students from Maningrida community to attend the Rotary Adventure in Citizenship program in Canberra for 9 days. It was a very special experience for them. I’d like the opportunity to do something similar.

Finally I will use what I learn to keep up the engagement with the new government which is essential if last year is not to be wasted. Please visit my blog for more.

Kevin Rennie
16 years ago

PS
As I understand that you have to post you application, not email it. Have updated my website link as well.

Dave Bath
16 years ago

Jacques: Wow! what a compliment! As to Linux Australia, Richard Stallman (better known to the cognoscenti as “rms”) would be a beauty! When Howard asked Bill Gates to lecture ministers on the future of the internet, China invited rms over!

More importantly…
In a sense anyone can put their ideas into the summit, because the 2020 website does NOT just ask for nominations.

* Suggested topics
* Make your own submissions

However, and this is the brain-damaged bit: Written submissions are limited to 500 words per topic and should focus on one of the ten identified areas (see submission form details). This is ridiculous. Out-of-the-square ideas, the most revolutionary, the ones with possibility for greatest impact, are usually those that are cross-domain, at first counter-intuitive, and need the most explanation and/or supporting evidence.

That 500 work limit makes me skeptical… I hope AGIMO/DOFAs plans for a consultation blog provide greater scope for detailed proposals and debate, and perhaps allow linkage to a register of ideas presented to the 2020 gabfest. (Maybe that’s something we can do within 500 words!)

BTW: This week’s The Economist has a lift-out section on eGovernment. It is somewhat limited, but it is well worth reading.

Niall
16 years ago

I’d like to second Andrew Bartlett. A more rational and concerned person I think you’d be hard-pressed to find.

D W Griffiths
D W Griffiths
16 years ago

This Web site stands as clear testament to why Nick Gruen should bag an invite. If your a Troppo reader of enough stature to capture the steering committee’s eye, I humbly suggest yoou nominate him.

Invig
16 years ago

Have fun with your magical party everyone.

I’ll be doing my thing as per usual.

Dave Bath
16 years ago

“RMS”??? Wash your mouth out (or under your fingernails) with soap and water!! It’s “rms”, “esr”, “ken”, etc! (I’ve got emails from or met two of these guys).

Seriously tho, I vote for Nick Gruen. Can you guys organize a group recommendation – perhaps a page that those in favor can comment on, then Troppo members can munge in something with all the email addresses.

Pavlov's Cat
16 years ago

Zoe from Crazybrave.

I see what you did there.

gilmae
16 years ago

Cory Doctorow to talk about copyright issues. Or Lessig, I suppose, if there’s no blimp parking available.

Patrick
Patrick
16 years ago

Or Kim Weatherall, more relevantly, on copyright.

Nabakov
Nabakov
16 years ago

And why not Zoe? V. smart, funny and articulate mother and small businesswoman who also really understands the wheels and cogs of politics. Plus she already lives in Canberra so there’s at least one transport and accommodation cost already saved.

I’ve already also recommended Nick Gruen, Ken Parish and Graeme Bird.

And as I just pointed on a related thread here, why not chose at least 10% of the attendees by lot – like jury duty?

Nabakov
Nabakov
16 years ago

“Ive already also recommended Nick Gruen, Ken Parish and Graeme Bird.”

You could all share a motel room in Canberra too. Bonus!

Nabakov
Nabakov
16 years ago

Seriously though, I don’t see why some people are getting all huffy over inviting showbiz folk like Cate (or hopefully George Miller and/or Peter Weir).

They’re all thriving businesspeople cum brand names in an intensely competitive multibillion dollar industry with a global reach that employs. and stimulates investment in, cutting edge technologies, generates really creative moves when it comes to global capital flows and has a proven track record of swaying minds and attitudes about major issues.

This event is also wide open to Chaser/The Yes Men style pranksterism which in itself should make an important point about what we want out of Australia’s future. I mean what was the most memorable and probably lasting outcome from APEC in Sydney? As the BBC discovered long ago, humour’s an quantifiable export too.

And John Singleton, Party Corey and Julia Zemiro should jointly host the afterhours bar for this exercise.

I also have some interesting suggestions about the merchandising rights…

Kevin Rennie
16 years ago

If the Chaser are going I’ll take the camera. Unfortunately, don’t think Bill Heffernan will get a guernsey.

Fred Argy
Fred Argy
16 years ago

I believe that there needs to be a balance of “classical” “centrist” and “interventionist” economists at the table. The panel may decide to include more than one classical economist but if if it only goes for one I believe it should be Andrew Norton without a shadow of doubt.

Jc
Jc
16 years ago

Yea

Andrew is a good choice, but most of all they need a currency/stock trader there too, Fred in case they lost their way.

trackback
16 years ago

[…] non-snarky call for attendee ideas for the 2020 conference.Lee Malatesta has theories on the Secularisation of American Religious […]

Zombinol
Zombinol
16 years ago

At a cost to taxpayers of $170 million to secure the APEC summit where 21 heads of
state were the primary focus of the security measures I wonder the following:

What will the security risks and threats be for 1,000 of the countries most valuable intellectual capital all gathering in Canberra at the same time?

What will be the cost of providing security for the 1,000?

What security measures will the Federal Police, ACT and other Agencies implement?

Is the security of the 1,000 less important to the Australian national interest than the combined security provided for the 21 heads of state?

Of each of the 1,000, how many heads of intellectual capital are equal in value to each head of state?

I wonder?

Laura
16 years ago

“And why not Zoe? V. smart, funny and articulate mother and small businesswoman who also really understands the wheels and cogs of politics.”

Yes. And while she has the qualifications, she also doesn’t have the disqualifications.

(Apologies to KA.)

Vee
Vee
16 years ago

I add a seconding for Kim Weatherall as well.

Patrick
Patrick
16 years ago

What will the security risks and threats be for 1,000 of the countries most valuable intellectual capital all gathering in Canberra at the same time?

not relevant, no-one has seriously suggested that will happen :)

Mick Keel-Tea
16 years ago

Good Question Zombinol, as the head of security for the event I can assure you that there is no risk of intellectual capital loss from this event as we have been careful to select delegates of no significance in anticipation of this. Learning from previous events we have cancelled all planned arrangements and all AFP and ASIO staff will be taking annual leave. This may seem a brash strategy but we have pre-empted any risk by hiring the Chasers team to test and infiltrate any security gateways thereby freeing up our resources for other events not of note but which we assure you will be receiving nonetheless attention, more or less than previous APEC events…and if you were wondering APEC means ‘All Politicians Eventually Corrupt’…the other publicised name deflects unwanted attention away from the real reason for the event…damm!! now ive given away too much! Cheers, Mick

Dave Bath
16 years ago

Zombinol and Patrick talked of “What will the security risks and threats be for 1,000 of the countries most valuable intellectual capital all gathering in Canberra at the same time”
Actually, an analysis shows that in true democracies (see here) the social cost of assassinating political leaders is relatively low. The social cost of loss of “best and brightest” is high, as such people drive innovation and hence sustainable economic growth.
Mind you, with Oz moving to a less belligerent and more tolerant society, the motives for terrorism have decreased.
Still, if you want such folk secured, there’s holiday resort in Nauru that has just become empty.

Jim
Jim
16 years ago

For the 20,699,000 people not invited to the Summit, I created a wiki called Oz Ideas to be our forum to list and vote on the best ideas to improve Australia. Its free and can be anonymous. I just think everyday people probably have just as good ideas for this country than the experts, so the site acts as a national online brainstorming session. It’s at http://ozideas.wetpaint.com.

Since the public often needs a bit of entertainment to go with their public engagement, I created a fun video on Youtube of Kevin Rudd break dancing. Its at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQZa17-Dt_4. See what you think, and if you like it, tell others to participate. An online forum like this one is only as strong as the number (and quality) of the people who participate.

Cheers,
Jim

Zombinol
Zombinol
16 years ago

Jim, That’s a really good idea, BUT it seems to be filled with empty promises, no working link & no Kevin video! Also how are you going to measure the quality of the people? Do you need the volume of their head or how far their brow is distended past their nose?, Just let us know. 8-/