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One original sensible idea and one point worthy of extended discussion and resolution. That’s the upshot of a double-page spread in the Herald Sun that canvasses the positions of team leaders at this weekend’s Krudd gabfest. It is difficult to imagine a bigger barrage of banality masquerading as imaginative vision.
The single practical, useful suggestion comes from former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, a rural dweller who recognises every shade of bullshit. Here’s Tim:
Here is one small idea. It costs the Royal Flying Doctor Service an extra $1 million because there is no standard track width for ambulance stretchers, most notably Victoria versus South Australia.
So when the Adelaide RFDS aircraft turns up at Mildura, the Victorian ambulance has an out-of-gauge stretcher, creating delay when the patient might be in critically ill. Surely we can sort it out.
Realistic, modest and achievable. There’ll be precious little of that gushed at the weekend if the rest of the 10 leaders’ offerings are any indication.

Cate Blanchett – arts: I believe cultural vitality and real engagement are central to many.
Yada, yada et al translated as: Oiks must give more money to elitist artistes.

Michael Good – health: The large indigenous populations in urban and regional centres also have poorer health than average.
And we didn’t know that. And aren’t there programs in place to belatedly deal with it?

Roger Beale – climate: Not even worth summarising as he believes in something that has not been proven

David Morgan – Future of our economy: Our governments should only intervene in the economy using taxpayers’ money where there are clear and achievable objectives. Er, here’s an idea, David. Government takes less taxpayers’ money so they (taxpayers) can intervene themselves in the economy with clear and achievable objectives. Are brains of mush the first sign of a past use-by-date capitalist?

John Hartigan – governance: Raises one aspect of modern society that should be the subject of a national debate. Equally, there are calls for a return to greater personal responsibility.

Michael Wesley – Security and Properity: AUSTRALIA’S security and prosperity depends on its relations with the world. As China and India become stronger, their interaction with the US and Japan will be perhaps the most important factor shaping Australia’s future environment. A true champion at stating the bleeding obvious. I suspect he will find tough competition in Canberra, though.

Tim Costello – Communities, social inclusion: As Australians we pride ourselves on our love of a drink and a punt.
Crap, Tim. You’re a Baptist parson.

I’m off for the weekend to Walkerville in South Gippsland to spend a couple of days with two dear old pals. Hopefully, wining, dining, beach walking, reminiscing and grumpy old men stuff will hold our attention away from Krudd’s wonderland of windbaggage.