Is this the day of the timid Australian?

It is up to Australia’s scientists, engineers, technologists and learned bodies to increase the level of debate in the community about risk, to help people understand that lawsuits aren’t the only answer and hold serious downsides.

At another level, Australia’s tort law is in need of a major overhaul, as is our approach to compensation. They are archaic and out of touch with the needs of a rapidly-advancing technology-based society. They prevent us from achieving many benefits.

Australians, as individuals, may not be more timid than previous generations. But the structures, legalities, regulations and deterrents we have amassed make our society as a whole less tolerant of risk.

Innovation is the source of our future national wealth, sustainability and wellbeing. To restrict it makes about as much sense as preventing Ian Thorpe from training.