Opinion
Issue No. 20 - December/January 2005
Vision of the Future
by Adrian de Brenni
Do we really have a strong vision to develop South Australia? If we do, then is there real action to achieve the vision?
South Australia has leapt forward in the past thanks to vision, leadership and action. One example is the enormous growth of the State to a thriving manufacturing and industrial base, whilst maintaining the primary agricultural industries, thanks to the Playford era beginning in the 1940s.
Another is the transformation of the State in the Dustan era of the 1970s to take advantage of an eclectic mix of cultures, and the climate, that saw far reaching influence on the lifestyle of South Australians, and all Australians. The State's leading position in the food and wine industries is largely attributed to this transformation.
These examples created new jobs, and jobs mean wealth, and wealth means taxes to fund our other programs such as health, education and justice. Let's not forget that a thriving economy with more people employed also reduces the drain on the State budget - a community with real jobs and job prospects has less crime, less health problems, greater incentive to become educated and reverses the loss of our younger population.
What then is our current vision and where are the government and industry leaders taking the State? And for that matter what has been the vision for the past five years? We have extensive lists of recommendations, strategies and objectives from the government but is there really any bold vision for what South Australia will be in 15 or 20 years time? And what is the action that will achieve such a position - vision and action that transcends an election term.
The recommendations, strategies and objectives are in many ways positioning statements or wish lists and are often only for progress in comparison to other States.
Items such as "…a better jobs growth rate than the Australian average within 10 years", "…lead the nation in government effectiveness within ...
