AUSTRALIA 2020 SUMMIT OUTCOMES 

Strengthening communities and supporting working families

• Australia 2020 Initial Report [1]

Delegates in this stream called for the creation of a national plan for social inclusion with evidence-based goals, measurable targets, and an economic analysis on the return on investment from its programs. They also called for a focus on urban design to create physical infrastructure which would encourage social connectedness, the establishment of a one-stop-shop for the delivery of government services, a reduction in poker machines and tighter regulation of alcohol consumption.

In a similar vein to the productivity agenda [1], these delegates called for an increase in the adoption of flexible working arrangements so that parents and carers could better respond to the needs of their own families.

In an effort to address poverty and disadvantage, the group called for the establishment of community hubs to deliver services in the most disadvantaged communities, and for more support for recently arrived migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Interestingly, this group also discussed the applicability of micro-finance agencies, which have been incredibly successful in other countries to help launch small business ideas, and cover short-term financial gaps.

Did they get it right, and are such suggestions economically viable? Which of these suggestions would you like to see implemented in your local community and which do you think are simply not workable?

To read pre-Summit submissions by Open Forum participants, click here [1].