The summit produced no new ideas or contribution to debate whatsoever. Dissenting views were suppressed, and it merely acted as a mechanism to reinforce the government's agenda. The initial report handed to Rudd is little more than waffle and superfluous text with little substance whatsoever.
This summit was meant to produce ideas and strategies to take Australia to 2020 and beyond, and deal with the real issues that face the population. Yet all we have for it, are rehashed debates and a forum where people with vested interests could promote their agenda.
There are far more important issues in this country than the supposed pressing need for a referendum on the republic or a reformist approach to federalism.
In my humble opinion, the only differentiation between many republican models and our system of government is the election of a head of state. I see no necessity for a move to alter the status quo, nor do I perceive it to be a matter of national importance. Those who subscribe to this idea that we as a nation must remove our final lingerings of British influence before the 'evils of the past can heal' are placing far too much emphasis on the symbolism of such moves. We have an effective, albeit at time inefficient system of government, however we are losing sight of inherent inadquacies of any model of government. Federalism, Regionalism, or a system incorporating the complete removal of the second tier of government will all encounter issues of inefficiency, inadequacy and the like.
Where was the mentioning of the impact of the Mental Health, Drug Abuse and Lax Parenting upon society? These are among the issues that are shaping our society in 2008..
The micro issues were overlooked in favour of the more politically attractive, 'big picture ideas' and this has subsequently devalued any potential the summit may have had, and worked to confirm the pessimistic view of most towards the outcomes of the gathering.
