The Initial Report from the 2020 Summit to the Prime Minister, sets out the key results of discussion by 1000 Australians over the weekend of 19 and 20 April in Canberra.
The Report includes results across the 10 streams of the Summit, including ambitions, priority themes and top ideas from each stream.
The concluding section to this Report, prepared on behalf of the participants, reads as follows:
"The ideas in this initial report are presented to the Prime Minister for consideration. We hope they will also be considered by the other levels of government in the Australian federation. But governments are not the only – or indeed the most important - agents of change in meeting the nation’s challenges.
"The ideas presented indicate that many Australians expect business and not-for-profit organisations to play more prominent roles in Australia. There is a sense of government needing to see its role as creating opportunities through fair and consistent policies delivered with a light hand – government as enabling rather than controlling, as encouraging rather than prescribing.
"The overarching objectives expressed in this report – addressing climate change, creating a national economy and enabling civil society – require substantial policy work to realise. Each has complex underpinnings, each is a project of many years and, perhaps, several governments.
"But as the Youth Summit asked with such clarity, the question must not be “what is the government going to do about this?” but “what are we going to do about this”. Like-minded individuals have the power to create a better future.
"The Prime Minister has said that the Government will produce a response to the Report of the Summit by the end of the year. The submissions to, and the detailed record of the Summit, will be available on the Summit website. Australians should continue to provide their views on our work and the challenges our nation faces. The further comments and submissions will be presented to the government.
"As this work proceeds, a strong evidence base and relevant information for the development of appropriate policies and programs will be vital; the information requirements of the major ideas contained in this Report should be assessed by relevant Federal Departments. Many participants commented on the importance of efforts aimed at developing Australia’s information base.
"The Government’s response to the Summit, are important, but not sufficient. Many participants have commented on what a marvellous experience the Summit provided, in encouraging and exchange of perspectives, so that the ideas brought by an individual could be refined and sifted through vigorous debate and respectful disagreement.
"It is clear from our deliberations that there is huge energy and appetite for all of us – and many other Australians – to be involved in pursuing further these and other ideas. We have embarked upon a shared adventure to imaging the future of Australia."
A more detailed, final report of the Summit to the Prime Minister will be prepared next month. This later record will include:
- A more formal and detailed record of all the discussion sessions, picking up on the range of ideas put forward;
- Overviews of the preliminary Summit events, including the Youth Summit, local summits and schools summit;
- A strategic overview of the ideas raised in the public submission.