The vision thing

And for that to happen, the political establishment needs to show leadership, because it won’t come from the bureaucracy.

With its many levels of hierarchy and risk-averse culture, the Australian bureaucracy is far better at scrutinising ideas than at breeding them.

It leaves a vacuum that the political leadership needs to fill. They need to dare to think big, and be clear on what they want the bureaucracy to work towards. Without that, this country will never know its full potential.

While initiatives such as the 2020 Summit and the Asia-Pacific Community were flawed and smacked of being put together on the run, Kevin Rudd deserves praise for attempting to bring some vision back into politics.

It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Gillard is so inclined.

Even if she is, long-term national goals may seem an impossible luxury for a Government preoccupied with the recovery from a string of natural disasters, and implementing its Budget plans when it controls neither house of Parliament.

But on the other hand, it may be just what the Government needs to stand out in a crowded political landscape. And to present something different to the Australian people from the endless campaigning - at federal and state levels - focused so overwhelmingly on short-term issues.

So here’s one wish for the political New Year - that in the 2011 edition of federal politics, there is room for a little bit of that vision thing.