As the Australian government seeks to establish a more efficient and cooperative model of federalism it is appropriate to consider how this could be locked into our system of government and not just be a fad of the times. Our Constitution is in need of considerable change in order to reflect the nation we are today, and the one we aspire to be in the future. To do so we need to develop a path that educates, earns public trust and promotes required change. The establishment of a permanent Constitutional Council of eminent citizens is a way of achieving this.

While our community is seeking a recovery strategy from recent dislocations, it is worth thinking about what we value as Australians and what sort of society we wish to be. Here are some thoughts to contemplate: 1.     Democratic: Free and fair elections (competition solely funded by the public purse); efficient, effective and corruption free government processes; community engaged with the political processes - and feels that they are listened to; the government respects civil liberties and minimises intrusions into people’s lives. 2.     Fair: Equality of opportunity for health, education, wealth generation. 3.     Compassionate and caring. 4.     Fun loving and happy.

Australian business titans Anthony Pratt and Andrew Liveris have named food manufacturing as a key to the nation's future in a post COVID-19 world.Mr Pratt said manufacturing would be "turbocharged" if Australia: improved water infrastructure; accelerated depreciation for manufacturing investment; brought down power prices through an "all of the above" energy policy involving renewables, gas, coal, and nuclear; increased superannuation fund lending to corporate Australia for investment and jobs; and embraced free trade agreements.Mr Pratt used wheat as an example. He said wheat sells for $100 a tonne. If it is turned into flour its sells for $500 a tonne and if it is made into bread it is worth $5,000 a tonne.https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6771699/foo

“Politics has become a vocation once again, ruled by an ethic of responsibility, whereby options need to be carefully calibrated against alternatives, probabilities assessed, decisions made even though the outcome is unclear, and responsibility taken for the result, whatever it may happen to be. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Politics has been lifted above the banal everyday swamp of networking for influence, career opportunism and public relations.”      Prof. John Carroll (Sociology, La Trobe University) A better future is possible if we can lock in these improved behaviours of our politicians. Is that too much to ask for?