Well the dust still hasn’t settled here, but let’s hope some sanity and decency emerges from the rubble. Among the reasons for the electorate’s discontent with the Gillard government was its inability to explain the Labor policy narrative among the sea of ill discipline and bad behaviour. The similarities to the Australian cricket team are eerie.
Oddly, the independent politicians were a calm influence in this sea of instability. Even Bob Katter, the classic maverick, was a voice of reason on some issues.
But the strongest players were Messrs Windsor, Oakeshott and Xenophon. They provided a free-thinking logic and perspective to debates that more closely resembled what the broader electorate was thinking, rather than the fixed positions of the main parties. Now only Xenophon survives, and the circumstances that delivered political clout to the independents are ebbing away.
However the more independent politicians there are in the next federal parliament the better. I figure that our political system needs a healthy cynicism to match our national character. The incoming federal government would be foolhardy to crow about having a mandate to impose extreme policies. If they do, the middle-of-the-road independents will be there to expose them. Indeed every electorate needs countervailing political forces to ensure it’s not taken for granted. As Tony Windsor observes, “Competition is always rewarded – political loyalty never is.”
And where is local government in all of this? I have a hunch that the turmoil and the lack of respect for ‘Canberra’ are enhancing the chances of the local government referendum. Moreover, the incoming Federal Government will be looking for friends at the local level. In this regard, local councils can play a valuable role in bedding down federal and state policies. Examples of growing problem areas where local government can assist are immigration, alcohol and drug abuse, youth unemployment, community safety, and re-energising our manufacturing and processing industries. Pilot projects are often the way to go.
Why voters are cynical…
The then Regional Development Minister Albanese announced in late June that the final tranche ($150 million) of the RDA Fund will now be divvied up among councils within the next few months – the bigger councils get upwards of $500k and the tiddlers get $30k minimum.
The funding would have been better used to underpin a new RDA Fund focusing on Lighthouse Projects with inputs from other federal and state programs and the private sector! Alas the deal is done. These funds can only be used to build and renew community infrastructure, with a focus on ‘shovel-ready’ sporting facilities, libraries, town halls, playgrounds and child care facilities. The interesting thing is that the RDA Department needs to ‘assess’ the submissions to ensure the projects don’t look like pork barrelling and don’t support strip clubs or creek dredging previously promised by state governments.
Submissions are due on the 22nd of July – if you are stuck, give us a ring.
Cluster update
I attended a workshop recently with some fellow cluster practitioners and others involved with the feds’ Innovation Precincts Program. There is $236 million available, although an Abbott Government would probably pare it back.
Given that the program aims to develop ten national precincts, I argued that (a) it’s important that these function in hub-spoke fashion to pick up regional areas, and (b) the big value lies in the program showing how the benefits of place can be captured at the local level.
I added that this program could be really effective if the states come on board, for example Queensland and South Australia have funded very successful cluster efforts in Cairns and Adelaide. In this regard, SA has just announced $2.7 million over 5 years to establish premium food and wine industry clusters in regional areas. In Queensland the laissez-faire settings of the Newman Government are going to be a problem. There is a biotech precinct around Bogga Road and a powerful mining services cluster around Brisbane, but the dries will argue that these are proof that clusters grow of their own accord.
The other bright spot is Victoria, with a Manufacturing Productivity Network (up to $600k for 10 networks) and pilots underway in dairy, textiles and clothing, medical research and advanced materials. Some earlier cluster initiatives are still operating e.g. Northern Poultry (Bendigo), Geelong Food, Water Irrigation (Shepparton) and East Gippsland Food.
Meanwhile, cluster programs are mainstream in the USA, Scandinavia, France, Germany etc. and the European Commission and the OECD are big supporters. The World Bank and UN agencies likewise. The Competitiveness Institute (TCI) Conference is in Denmark in early September – a very good cluster conference – www.tci-network.org .
Lobbying 101
Federal politicians are now on the hustings looking for your understanding. Should they descend on your community, please brush up sensible proposals for their attention. A one-pager covering the what-why-how-how much is all that’s required to get the ball rolling. Now is not he time to be in reactive mode.
Rod Brown is a Canberra-based consultant and lobbyist specialising in industry/regional development, investment attraction and clusters, and accessing federal grants. He also runs the Cockatoo Network.
Phone: (02) 6231 7261 or 0412 922 559
Email: apdcockatoo@iprimus.com.au
Blog: www.investmentinnovation.wordpress.com (750 articles)
