Not A New Beginning, But Not An End, Either
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday April 26, 2008
THE 2020 Summit, viewed from the sidelines, reminded me of netball: good for health and fitness; more fun to play than watch. While many ideas apparently suffered death by butcher's paper, some survivors may well catch the public imagination: multi-function childhood centres; a fresh look at Federation; the notion that HECS debt might be worked off in community service, rather than in cash.
The republic was a no-brainer, given that most Australians have been in favour of it for years (provided a way can be found to allow us to elect our own head of state). But the mantra that "this is only a beginning" has already become tiresome, especially as it wasn't a beginning at all. Kevin Rudd, both wise and smart, must have known that a summit like this was not so much an initiative as a response to a widespread, pent-up desire to debate issues firmly on the community's agenda but previously off the political radar.Summits, roundtables and thinkfests had already begun springing up everywhere. Like the change of government itself, this newfound zeal for conversation about ideas is a symptom of a society too long anaesthetised by its disengagement from political and social issues and now desperate to make up for lost time.Brace yourself for a spate of summits. Be sceptical, by all means, but this feels to me like a genuine turning point.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
