Media Release
November 8 2006
Combet asks: has the Australian way of life vanished?
Can it be argued that the Australian way of life, characterised for
more than 100 years by a shared commitment to prosperity, security and
fairness for all, is gone?
Do Australians truly believe economic prosperity can only be achieved at the expense of social fairness and equality, and that democratic rights must be traded for security?
Once again, UniSA’s Hawke Centre is putting out the challenge to the community to reflect on where we are heading.
In the Ninth Annual Hawke Lecture, A new Australian consensus for the 21st century, ACTU Secretary Greg Combet will fire a salvo at national policies he says have changed the nation.
He will also send out a clarion call for a new consensus which draws upon the strength of our historically shared values and reignites hope for a better future.
“Although Australians have divided over many issues in the past century, our nationhood has broadly been underpinned by a shared aspiration for economic prosperity, security from external threat, and the attainment of a fair and just society,” Combet says.
These values laid the basis for a common understanding of the role of government, and enabled broad agreement on many important national and international policies by governments of different political character.
“That is not the case today,” Combet says. “Our enduring historic consensus has been overwhelmed by policies that must invite our deepest attention and questioning.”
Long-term economic and political challenges must be addressed to assure future prosperity, the revitalisation of our democracy and a renewed emphasis on social fairness and inclusion.
“The labour movement, in partnership with other organisations and citizens with shared values, can do much to lift the standard of that debate and build a consensus for the future,” he says. “Only by building a new consensus can Australia confidently set forth once more to achieve prosperity, security and social justice.”
Ninth Annual Hawke Lecture
Presented by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
A new Australian consensus for the 21st century
Greg Combet
Secretary, ACTU
5.15pm for 5.30pm start
Monday November 20 2006
Adelaide Town Hall
To attend this free special event, register at www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Vincent Ciccarello office (08) 8302 0578 mobile 0434 603 457 email vincent.ciccarello@unisa.edu.au