As the Australian government seeks to establish a more
efficient and cooperative model of federalism it is appropriate to consider how
this could be locked into our system of government and not just be a fad of the
times.
Our Constitution is in need of considerable change in order
to reflect the nation we are today, and the one we aspire to be in the future. To
do so we need to develop a path that educates, earns public trust and promotes
required change.
The establishment of a permanent Constitutional Council of
eminent citizens is a way of achieving this.
While our community is seeking a recovery strategy from recent
dislocations, it is worth thinking about what we value as Australians and what sort
of society we wish to be. Here are some thoughts to contemplate:
1.
Democratic: Free and fair elections (competition
solely funded by the public purse); efficient, effective and corruption free
government processes; community engaged with the political processes - and feels
that they are listened to; the government respects civil liberties and
minimises intrusions into people’s lives.
2.
Fair: Equality of opportunity for health,
education, wealth generation.
3.
Compassionate and caring.
4.
Fun loving and happy.
Australian business titans Anthony Pratt and Andrew Liveris have named food manufacturing as a key to the nation's future in a post COVID-19 world.Mr Pratt said manufacturing would be "turbocharged" if Australia: improved water infrastructure; accelerated depreciation for manufacturing investment; brought down power prices through an "all of the above" energy policy involving renewables, gas, coal, and nuclear; increased superannuation fund lending to corporate Australia for investment and jobs; and embraced free trade agreements.Mr Pratt used wheat as an example. He said wheat sells for $100 a tonne. If it is turned into flour its sells for $500 a tonne and if it is made into bread it is worth $5,000 a tonne.https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6771699/foo
