‘So let me now turn to three public policy
areas that exemplify the degree of change required: health, education and the retirement income system.’
That is what we always tend to do - we
begin with a solution, like a price signal, or a fee change, or an eligibility
change, and it's the wrong place to start.We have to start by asking ourselves “what is the problem we are trying to solve, what outcomes are we seeking and what do we want to move from and to?”
If we do not adopt this architecture in our approach to the big policy issues, we will continue to have the community reject what they perceive to be disconnected and short sighted interventions.
Health – Philosophical Shifts
In health, we need to change the mindset from one of fixing people when they are sick, to enabling them to stay healthy for as long as possible.
Put bluntly, the focus needs to shift from the second 50 years of life, to the first 50 years; that is, preventing the things that are preventable and preserving constrained resources for those which are not.
Education – Philosophical Shifts
Turning now to education and training.
We must move away from the notion that work is something we begin after a long period of study, to one where work is integrated with learning.
Given that an estimated 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations, including those in the creative industries and humanities, will require STEM related skills and knowledge, the imperative for introducing these foundational skills into the primary and pre-primary curricula should be unassailable.
By STEM skills, I mean maths and science, yes, but also computer coding, computational thinking, problem solving and design thinking.
As it stands in Australia, however, the gap between the digital literacy of our young people and that of our competitor nations is increasing.
Retirement Income
Finally, on the so-called retirement income system, the philosophical shift we need is to rethink the current concept of retirement.
This means a paradigm shift about people working longer and training later in their life as the types of jobs available, and the type of work they can do, change.
The role of government would be to provide an adequate safety net, but more importantly to assist people to become, and stay, independent by fully participating in the economy.
Leadership
In the first instance, however, the
leadership must come from our elected representatives, and this includes
the opposition, minor parties and independents, who are all part of our
governance structure.The role of these representatives is to provide leadership, not to be re-elected.
It must be leadership characterised, not by positional power and, as Jennifer Hewitt notes “a preoccupation with the political present, but by strong personal values, consistency, respect and transparency.”
The full article in
front of the Press Cub in Canberra on 29th April 2015 is very worthwhile reading by You & I & we trust Tony
& Joe were there & listened to Catherine.
We viewed
Country House Rescue on Sunday where Simon the business advisor was invited in
for his advice. It wasn’t taken & Francis
the Failure will be remembered as losing for the family 400 years of
history & wealth. His F*** language was not cut as it emphasized his frustration & unwillingness to
bend.
Will you Listen?
Lets
preserve & increase our self reliance.
If we were to sit down in three years time & looked back what do we need to do today so that you are financially & personally better off & happier.
As others do call us on 07 3848 1088 or email or visit our new website
John McAuliffe
