It’s arguably the biggest demonstration of community uprising since the Vietnam War protests. And it will most likely play out for years to come. Morrison’s call for a Summit is the right move. Sure, it will start more spot fires, but he has to be seen to be doing something.
Minister Karen Andrews’ salvo in the House of Representatives on the ABC 7.30 TV program was so timely and thought-provoking. She said she’d had an absolute gutful of disrespect for women over a number of years. She added, “10 years ago I was horrified with the drinking and partying in Parliament House, and I made the decision not to socialise. It’s quite exclusive in Parliament House and many women feel isolated. Men need to make sure they include women.”
She’s dead right, and it had resonance within the Cockatoo Network here in Canberra. The majority of us remember being invited over to Parliament House for some wild socialising – the philosophy was that long hours and tight deadlines were deserving of some play time at the end of the Parliamentary Term.
And the same back in the Industry Department where there might be 20 of us at a social event, where the women were also in the minority. It must have been galling for them. They needed to be seen as good networkers, but they had to listen to our banter, especially once the booze took effect. I’m reliably informed that the situation has improved in the various departments – but obviously not in Parliament House.
I would make three observations. First, if Morrison doesn’t start shunting the known offenders, he will pay the price – counselling them will not cut the mustard. Secondly, women are now empowered and public agencies will bear the brunt. Local government will not be immune. Thirdly, sexual harassment and women’s rights has to be addressed at many levels. There is a great opportunity for local government to think about being a trial or model community and to lobby for federal/state funding to fund various initiatives. Look at the Scandinavian approaches to see which might fit your circumstances. If your federal and state members are switched on, ask them to champion your cause and to arrange meetings with key ministers and officials.
Labor proposes $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund
The Morrison Government is being criticised for lack of long-term policies on tax, climate change, industry development, housing affordability etc.
Well Labor leader Anthony Albanese has seen the opportunity to unveil plans for a $15 billion fund to lift the pathetic slide in Australia’s manufacturing sector, which now represents only six percent of Gross Domestic Product. It involves partnering with the private sector – especially the super funds – to commercialise innovation and help existing industries bring manufacturing back onshore. Given that some significant Labor and union luminaries are on the boards of super funds, it’s puzzling why Labor has taken so long to make the connection.
The aim is for the National Reconstruction Fund to target key sectors including resources, food processing, heavy manufacturing, renewable energy and defence.
“We shouldn’t have to rely on other countries when it comes to protecting and providing for our people,” Mr Albanese told Labor’s national conference.
“We are going to invest in Australia. We are going to invest in Australian workers and Australian skills. A new era of national reconstruction to achieve our potential – a country that makes things and creates better jobs to go with them.”
The Opposition’s alternative also proposes on-shoring entire supply chains rather than optimising current exports. For example, Australia has all the necessary resources to manufacture lithium batteries and sell them to the world, but has traditionally focused on bulk lithium exports. Albo is on a potential winner here, but my instincts suggest that the Morrison Government might come up with something similar.
Camperdown – a fascinating point of difference
There’s the Camperdown in inner-Sydney, but there’s also the one in western Victoria.
I was down that way recently when, driving through the latter Camperdown, I was assailed with a huge avenue of elm trees. I’ve since learned that it involves 500 trees and stretches for around 2.5km. The initial planting was back in the 1870s, perhaps by a homesick Brit, and involved 300 trees which have since been added to. The trees are almost identical – same height, same trunk diameter. The Shire’s environment manager explained that every four years the trees are subject to an arbo-cultural assessment, while prunings, irrigation, pest control are ongoing.
The point is that these trees are an outstanding asset and point of difference. Camperdown’s annual
Robert Burns Festival is held in and around the trees and parklands.
And Camperdown also has some Local Legends. Horseracing lovers would remember Sir Chester Manifold, ex-chairman of the VRC. It’s also the hometown of Bill Roycroft, the celebrated Olympic equestrian rider.
And from nearby Cobden there’s the identical Lord twins who played for Geelong in the 1960s. Very handsome chaps. Alistair won the Brownlow Medal in 1962 – pundits figure that the umpires saw him getting 40 possessions a match because they couldn’t separate the twins.
In short, Camperdown has fascinating characters, historic buildings, extensive indigenous history, an extinct volcano, lakes, dairy produce and of course its elm trees. Worth stopping for a coffee or indeed an overnight stay.
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
