Australia shows international leadership in global changes

Australia continues to play a leadership role in this commission.

Leadership is of critical importance. We hear this in relation to all of the issues that are currently being discussed at the international summits and meetings. Leadership is what we expect from the people in charge of society and the economy, and we expect that they will also take the future into account. The policy initiatives mentioned above are good examples of leadership. They do not just address the current problems – they are also opening up opportunities in the emerging green and digital economies.

The Black Death and famine in the Middle Ages saw a decline of up to one-third of the population in Europe and forced communities to reorganise themselves, and this eventually led to new economic models, replacing serfdom.

The mini-Ice Age a few centuries later created severe social and economic problems, again forcing critical changes that, overall, had a positive effect on society.

When explorers opened up international trade with the introduction of shipping the land-based caravan trade declined, and many cities along these routes declined also. And the canals, railways, motorways, electricity and telecommunications all produced massive job losses in declining industries.

However hindsight shows that the net result has always been positive, with more new jobs in new industries, which in general created more opportunities and more interesting work. Why should it be any different in our time?

We are reaching the end of the post-WWII era of economic and social development. This period has been of great importance in getting us to where we are now. However the systems used during those years are now outgrowing their usefulness and we need to transform our society and economy based on the reality of things like the GFC, climate change, an ageing population, education requirements, peak oil and energy efficiency. This necessitates the kind of bold initiatives that the government is taking – and many more will be needed.

In several instances Australia is taking the proper steps and making the right investments to address both the challenges and the opportunities that these investments can deliver to us and future generations.

When it comes to implementation strategies, leeway can be allowed there for differing political positions. On a visionary and high strategic level, however, there is widespread national and international support for the direction Australia is taking – a direction that is also supported by the people of Australia.