Darron CharlesworthRudd's 20/20 plummet
February 26th 2008 12:54
Category: No Category
Despite the hype and expectation surrounding Kevin Rudd's 20/20 summit in April we should see this pointless two day talk fest for what it really is. It is about image and approval. The new Prime Minister is conveying himself as a man who consults, inquires and listens to all sectors of the community. Smart politics yes, but we should not be fooled.
Wasn't this Kevin Rudd the same man who declared to the voting public last November that he had a 'plan' for Australia's future? Yet now he has announced this summit to do exactly that. To construct a plan for Australia's future beyond 2020.
While it is good to consult and inquire with sectors of the community it seems somewhat contradictory that a new government with a so called 'plan' should need Australia's 'best and brightest' to get together and construct a future vision out of nothing.
Although we should not criticise a Prime Minister too much for a willingness to consult before acting. Although the contradiction between the election message and the summit should be noted.
Rudd knows that this summit will reflect positively on his government. By appointing prominent people and not so prominent people from differing backgrounds with varying political beliefs and affirmations will convey an image of non-bias with a strong willingness to do what's in the best interests of the country through the eyes of people of all political persuasions.
By appointing former Liberal Party ministers such as Warwick Smith and News Limited chief executive John Hartigan, Rudd has already placed pressure on those organisations most likely to criticise his practice by appointing members from the conservative parties and press. It makes life more difficult for conservative columnists of News Limited who wish to stare down on the summit while their own chief executive is one of its key players.
This is a very sneaky way of mustering political support. He used a similar technique while apologising to the Aborigines when he invited Brendan Nelson to co-chair the 'war cabinet' with him. The Opposition leader was stuck in a corner with little else to do but accept the offer. By inviting potentially hostile political enemies into a position of importance Rudd diminishes the opportunities for criticism. Smart politics yes. But that's what this 20/20 summit is about.
It is more about political image than anything. The fact that he has appointed actress Cate Blanchett as one of 11 members to choose the 1000 participants who will take part says it all. What expertise could Cate Blanchett possibly bring to this summit? Sure she is in charge of seeking people in the arts who have ideas about Australia's creative future, but just because she is a Hollywood actress doesn't mean that she is qualified for what is supposed to be such an important event.
This is a woman who lives in Australia part time at best. She has very little qualifications or credentials to help chair this political event. She has been appointed to add some gloss and glamour to the talk fest. And hey why not? More reporters, more photos, more attention!
Another thing amiss in this summit is the lack of representation for youth. One could only hope that of the 1000 people chosen there will be a certain percentage of people aged between 18-25 attending. It could be argued that they are naive and don't bring the required expertise, but if this country is serious about creating a goal for 2020 wouldn't it be smart to have the generation most affected by these changes there?
An 18 year old today will be 30 years old by 2020. Most likely working full time and living the rough experience under whatever conditions the time delivers. Yet despite this it appears there will be more people aged 50 at this summit who may be very intelligent and have more qualifications than than a Leopard has spots, yet at the same time may be very out of touch with the issues affecting the key generation that will be in its prime by 2020.
One can only hope that this summit will be useful in shaping ideas for the future. Yet the way it looks now is as a political tool for a newly elected government. Yet the ironiy is it has caused many to question whether this new Rudd government has any ideas of its own for the future. And if it does, why does it need 1000 'experts' to help it out all of a sudden?
Wasn't this Kevin Rudd the same man who declared to the voting public last November that he had a 'plan' for Australia's future? Yet now he has announced this summit to do exactly that. To construct a plan for Australia's future beyond 2020.
While it is good to consult and inquire with sectors of the community it seems somewhat contradictory that a new government with a so called 'plan' should need Australia's 'best and brightest' to get together and construct a future vision out of nothing.
Although we should not criticise a Prime Minister too much for a willingness to consult before acting. Although the contradiction between the election message and the summit should be noted.
Rudd knows that this summit will reflect positively on his government. By appointing prominent people and not so prominent people from differing backgrounds with varying political beliefs and affirmations will convey an image of non-bias with a strong willingness to do what's in the best interests of the country through the eyes of people of all political persuasions.
By appointing former Liberal Party ministers such as Warwick Smith and News Limited chief executive John Hartigan, Rudd has already placed pressure on those organisations most likely to criticise his practice by appointing members from the conservative parties and press. It makes life more difficult for conservative columnists of News Limited who wish to stare down on the summit while their own chief executive is one of its key players.
This is a very sneaky way of mustering political support. He used a similar technique while apologising to the Aborigines when he invited Brendan Nelson to co-chair the 'war cabinet' with him. The Opposition leader was stuck in a corner with little else to do but accept the offer. By inviting potentially hostile political enemies into a position of importance Rudd diminishes the opportunities for criticism. Smart politics yes. But that's what this 20/20 summit is about.
It is more about political image than anything. The fact that he has appointed actress Cate Blanchett as one of 11 members to choose the 1000 participants who will take part says it all. What expertise could Cate Blanchett possibly bring to this summit? Sure she is in charge of seeking people in the arts who have ideas about Australia's creative future, but just because she is a Hollywood actress doesn't mean that she is qualified for what is supposed to be such an important event.
This is a woman who lives in Australia part time at best. She has very little qualifications or credentials to help chair this political event. She has been appointed to add some gloss and glamour to the talk fest. And hey why not? More reporters, more photos, more attention!
Another thing amiss in this summit is the lack of representation for youth. One could only hope that of the 1000 people chosen there will be a certain percentage of people aged between 18-25 attending. It could be argued that they are naive and don't bring the required expertise, but if this country is serious about creating a goal for 2020 wouldn't it be smart to have the generation most affected by these changes there?
An 18 year old today will be 30 years old by 2020. Most likely working full time and living the rough experience under whatever conditions the time delivers. Yet despite this it appears there will be more people aged 50 at this summit who may be very intelligent and have more qualifications than than a Leopard has spots, yet at the same time may be very out of touch with the issues affecting the key generation that will be in its prime by 2020.
One can only hope that this summit will be useful in shaping ideas for the future. Yet the way it looks now is as a political tool for a newly elected government. Yet the ironiy is it has caused many to question whether this new Rudd government has any ideas of its own for the future. And if it does, why does it need 1000 'experts' to help it out all of a sudden?
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Comment by Wally
Wally's World
Cate Blanchett being one of those in charge of choosing who participates just proves this talkfest is a farce.